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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS LLC - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
                    
FORM 10-Q
                    
x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013
 
o
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
Commission file number 000-50254
LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
South Dakota
 
46-0460790
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
46269 SD Highway 34
P.O. Box 100
Wentworth, South Dakota
 
57075
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)
 
(605) 483-2676
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Membership Units

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.        x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, 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).
x Yes    o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o
 
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x
 
Smaller Reporting Company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
 
 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). o Yes x No
 
As of November 12, 2013, there are 29,620,000 membership units of the registrant outstanding.





Table of Contents

INDEX
 
Page No.
 
 
       Item 6. Exhibits
 
 

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PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012*
 ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CURRENT ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
8,299,852

 
$
7,662,901

Accounts receivable
3,353,921

 
4,251,590

Other receivables
21,728

 
91,139

Inventory
7,049,662

 
11,552,830

Derivative financial instruments and due from broker
701,886

 
3,322,650

Prepaid expenses
107,318

 
137,990

Total current assets
19,534,367

 
27,019,100

 
 
 
 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
 
 
Land
676,097

 
676,097

Land improvements
2,665,358

 
2,665,358

Buildings
8,277,636

 
8,277,636

Equipment
40,111,984

 
39,828,295

Construction in progress
47,702

 

 
51,778,777

 
51,447,386

Less accumulated depreciation
(28,333,951
)
 
(26,361,261
)
Net property and equipment
23,444,826

 
25,086,125

 
 
 
 
OTHER ASSETS
 
 
 
Goodwill
10,395,766

 
10,395,766

Investments
3,800,727

 
3,385,479

Other
385,261

 
86,609

Total other assets
14,581,754

 
13,867,854

 
 
 
 
TOTAL ASSETS
$
57,560,947

 
$
65,973,079

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

* Derived from audited financial statements.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.








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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)






September 30, 2013

December 31, 2012*
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY







CURRENT LIABILITIES



Accounts payable
$
4,544,366


$
13,518,218

Accrued liabilities
452,984


355,278

Derivative financial instruments
886,442


535,816

Current portion of notes payable
31,366


288,631

Other
119,732


34,540

Total current liabilities
6,034,890


14,732,483





LONG-TERM LIABILITIES



Notes payable, net of current maturities
21,797


157,535

Other
474,626

 
8,726

Total long-term liabilities
496,423


166,261





COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES







MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)
51,029,634


51,074,335





TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
$
57,560,947


$
65,973,079





 




* Derived from audited financial statements.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Three Months
Ended
September 30, 2012
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 

 

REVENUES
$
36,613,246

 
$
34,424,396

 
$
113,194,531

 
$
97,273,527

 
 
 
 
 

 

COSTS OF REVENUES
34,505,581

 
33,114,047

 
105,061,703

 
95,231,086

 
 
 
 
 

 

GROSS PROFIT (LOSS)
2,107,665

 
1,310,349

 
8,132,828

 
2,042,441

 
 
 
 
 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES
762,794

 
649,491

 
2,589,099

 
2,176,884

 
 
 
 
 

 

INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS
1,344,871

 
660,858

 
5,543,729

 
(134,443
)
 
 
 
 
 

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 

 

Interest income
18,644

 
6,467

 
47,950

 
29,083

Equity in net income of investments
120,132

 
62,402

 
339,248

 
93,697

Interest expense
(8,435
)
 
(29,145
)
 
(51,627
)
 
(50,318
)
Total other income
130,341

 
39,724

 
335,571

 
72,462

 
 
 
 
 

 

NET INCOME (LOSS)
$
1,475,212

 
$
700,582

 
$
5,879,300

 
$
(61,981
)
 
 
 
 
 

 

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER UNIT
$
0.05

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.20

 
$

 
 
 
 
 

 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER UNIT
29,620,000

 
29,620,000

 
29,620,000

 
29,620,000

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT
$
0.10

 
$

 
$
0.20

 
$
0.05

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2013

Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2012




OPERATING ACTIVITIES



Net income (loss)
$
5,879,300


$
(61,981
)
Changes to net income (loss) affecting cash and cash equivalents



Depreciation and amortization
2,115,497


1,994,401

Equity in net (income) of investments
(339,248
)

(93,697
)
(Increase) decrease in



Receivables
967,080


406,582

Inventory
4,503,168


(653,166
)
Prepaid expenses
30,672


52,537

Derivative financial instruments and due from broker
2,971,390

 
(3,678,033
)
Increase (decrease) in




Accounts payable
(8,828,556
)

(4,516,788
)
Accrued and other liabilities
300,705


(262,641
)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
7,600,008


(6,812,786
)




INVESTING ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
Purchase of property and equipment
(482,495
)
 
(862,191
)
Changes in other assets
(108,990
)
 

NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES
(591,485
)

(862,191
)




FINANCING ACTIVITIES



Principal payments on long-term notes payable
(393,002
)

(317,489
)
Financing costs paid
(54,570
)
 

Distributions paid to LACP members
(5,924,000
)
 
(1,481,000
)
NET CASH (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES
(6,371,572
)

(1,798,489
)





NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
636,951


(9,473,466
)




CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
7,662,901


11,225,659






CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
$
8,299,852


$
1,752,193









SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION



Cash paid during the period for interest
$
26,958


$
53,031


See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012





NOTE 1    .    NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Principal Business Activity

Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC and subsidiary (the Company) is a South Dakota limited liability company. The Company owns and manages Dakota Ethanol, LLC (Dakota Ethanol), a 40 million-gallon (annual nameplate capacity) ethanol plant, located near Wentworth, South Dakota. The Company sells ethanol and related products to customers located in North America.

NOTE 2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for 2012.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from the production of ethanol and related products is recorded when title transfers to customers. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point, based on written contract terms between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Collectability of revenue is reasonably assured based on historical evidence of collectability between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Interest income is recognized as earned.

Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distiller's grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

Cost of Revenues

The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.

Shipping costs on modified and wet distiller's grains are included in cost of revenues.

Inventory Valuation

Ethanol inventory, raw materials, work-in-process, and parts inventory are valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Distillers grains and related products are stated at net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase and sale commitments, market is based on current replacement values except that it does not exceed net realizable values and is not less than net realizable values reduced by allowances for approximate normal profit margin.



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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012




Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that we manage by using forward or derivative instruments are price risk on anticipated purchases of corn, natural gas and the sale of ethanol.
 
The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material we use to produce ethanol and ethanol co-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow us to pass along increased corn costs to our customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.
 
Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting 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 the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.

We do not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of September 30, 2013, we are committed to purchasing 2,000,000 bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $4.72 per bushel. Dakota Ethanol has a net derivative financial instrument liability of approximately $890,000 related to the forward contracted purchases of corn. These corn purchase contracts represent 11% of the projected annual plant corn usage.

The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with some of our natural gas suppliers under which we agree to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of that natural gas to us.  Under these arrangements, we assume the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time this price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At September 30, 2013, we are committed to purchasing 130,000 MMBtu's of natural gas with an average price of $3.67 per MMBtu.  We account for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, do not mark these transactions to market. These natural gas purchases represent approximately 9% of the projected annual plant requirements.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with our ethanol marketer under which we agree to sell ethanol at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of that ethanol by us.  Under these arrangements, we assume the risk of a price increase in the market price of ethanol between the time the price is fixed and the time the ethanol is delivered.  At September 30, 2013, we are committed to selling 855,000 gallons of ethanol with an average price of $1.87 per gallon.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, do not mark these transactions to market. These ethanol sales represent 2% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in energy prices. All of our derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, The Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk and we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories. To reduce that risk, we generally take positions using forward and futures contracts and options.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were as follows:



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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012




 
 
Balance Sheet Classification
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012*
Forward contracts in gain position
 
 Current Assets
 
$

 
$
912,248

Futures contracts in gain position
 
 Current Assets
 
$
26,213

 
$
974,132

Forward contracts in loss position
 
 (Current Liabilities)
 
$
(48,063
)
 
$
(291,119
)
Total forward and futures contracts
 
 
 
$
(21,850
)
 
$
1,595,261

Cash held by broker
 
 
 
723,736

 
1,727,389

 
 
Current Assets
 
$
701,886

 
$
3,322,650

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Forward contracts in loss position
 
(Current Liabilities)
 
$
(886,442
)
 
$
(535,816
)
*Derived from audited financial statements.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and derivative contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.

 
 
 Statement of Operations
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Classification
 
2013
 
2012
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Futures contracts
 
Cost of Revenues
 
$
505,990

 
$
(5,076,551
)
Forward contracts
 
Cost of Revenues
 
$
(1,488,342
)
 
$
3,650,203


 
 
 Statement of Operations
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
Classification
 
2013
 
2012
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Futures contracts
 
Cost of Revenues
 
$
791,483

 
$
(5,551,028
)
  Forward contracts
 
Cost of Revenues
 
$
(2,540,438
)
 
$
2,891,825


Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or market accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.

Environmental Liabilities

Dakota Ethanol’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdiction in which it operates. These laws require Dakota Ethanol to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at its locations. Accordingly, Dakota Ethanol has adopted policies, practices and procedures in the areas of pollution control, occupational health and the production, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability which could result from such events. Environmental liabilities are recorded when Dakota Ethanol’s liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012




NOTE 3.     INVENTORY

Inventory consisted of the following as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012*
Raw materials
 
$
4,070,299

 
$
8,117,020

Finished goods
 
1,294,637

 
1,525,812

Work in process
 
684,225

 
990,002

Parts inventory
 
1,000,501

 
919,996

 
 
$
7,049,662

 
$
11,552,830


*Derived from audited financial statements.

NOTE 4.    REVOLVING OPERATING NOTE

On May 15, 2013, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount of $10,000,000 and the amount available is subject to a borrowing base. Interest on the outstanding principal balances will accrue at 310 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 3.30% at September 30, 2013. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory. The note expires on May 31, 2015. On September 30, 2013, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $10,000,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note.

Prior to May 15, Dakota Ethanol had a revolving promissory note from First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) in the amount of $10,000,000 and the amount available was subject to a borrowing base. On December 31, 2012, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $10,000,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note.
 
NOTE 5.    LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

On May 15, 2013, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount of $5,000,000.

As part of the note payable agreement, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits and minimum working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory. We are in compliance with our financial covenants as of September 30, 2013.

The note is a revolving note with an availability of $5,000,000. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 335 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 3.55% at September 30, 2013. Dakota Ethanol may elect to borrow any principal amount repaid on the note up to $5,000,000 subject to the terms of the agreement. Should Dakota Ethanol elect not to utilize this feature, the lender will assess a non-use fee of 0.35% on the unused portion of the note. The note matures on May 31, 2018. On September 30, 2013, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $5,000,000 available to be drawn on the note.

Prior to May 15, Dakota Ethanol had a revolving promissory note from First National Bank of Omaha (FNBO) in the amount of $5,000,000. On December 31, 2012, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $5,000,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note.

Dakota Ethanol entered into two loan agreements for alternative financing for our corn oil extraction equipment as we had agreed with FNBO; one loan with Rural Electric Economic Development, Inc (REED) and the other loan with First District Development Company (FDDC). In April 2013, Dakota Ethanol paid off the reamining balances on the notes.

The note to REED, originally for $1,000,000, had a fixed interest rate of 4.7%. The note was secured by the oil extraction equipment.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012





The note to FDDC, originally for $200,000, had a fixed interest rate of 5.5%. The note was secured by the oil extraction equipment.

The balances of the notes payable are as follows:
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012*
 
 
 
 
 
Note payable - Long-term bank note
 
$

 
$

Note payable - REED
 

 
308,142

Note payable - FDDC
 

 
62,341

Note payable - Other
 
53,163

 
75,683

 
 
53,163

 
446,166

Less current portion
 
(31,366
)
 
(288,631
)
 
 
$
21,797

 
$
157,535


*Derived from audited financial statements

Minimum scheduled principal payments for the next two years are estimated as follows:

Years Ending September 30,
 
Amount
2014
 
$
31,366

2015
 
21,797


NOTE 6.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company complies with the fair value measurements and disclosures standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for those assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet on a fair value basis.

The Company’s balance sheet contains derivative financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements and disclosures require that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Derivative financial instruments. Commodity futures and options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains 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 CBOT and NYMEX markets. Over-the-counter commodity options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains 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 over-the-counter markets. Forward purchase contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from local grain terminal bid values. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include live trading bids from local elevators and processing plants which are based off the CME markets.


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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012




The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

 
 
 Total
 
 Level 1
 
 Level 2
 
 Level 3
September 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts
 
$
26,213

 
$
26,213

 
$

 
$

forward contracts
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts
 
$
(48,063
)
 
$
(48,063
)
 
$

 
$

forward contracts
 
$
(886,442
)
 
$

 
$
(886,442
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2012*
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts
 
$
974,132

 
$
974,132

 
$

 
$

forward contracts
 
$
912,248

 
$

 
$
912,248

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts
 
$
(291,119
)
 
$
(291,119
)
 
$

 
$

forward contracts
 
$
(535,816
)
 
$

 
$
(535,816
)
 
$

*Derived from audited financial statements.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were not significant at September 30, 2013.

Disclosure requirements for fair value of financial instruments require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non recurring basis are discussed above. The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below.

The Company believes the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents (level 1), accounts receivable (level 2), other receivables (level 2), accounts payable (level 2) and short-term debt (level 3) approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
September 30, 2013 and 2012




The carrying amount of long-term obligations (level 3) at September 30, 2013 of $53,163 had an estimated fair value of approximately $53,163 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt. The carrying amount of long-term obligations at December 31, 2012 of $446,166 had an estimated fair value of approximately $446,166 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt.

NOTE 7.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Dakota Ethanol has a 7% interest in RPMG, and Dakota Ethanol has entered into an ethanol marketing agreement with RPMG for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol inventory produced by Dakota Ethanol.  The marketing fees are included in net revenues.
Sales and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows:
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
 
2013
 
2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales ethanol
 
$
28,061,341

 
$
26,390,388

 
$
85,099,394

 
$
74,144,372

Sales distiller's grains and corn oil
 
3,017,840

 
2,403,627

 
6,644,211

 
5,488,648

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marketing fees ethanol
 
64,152

 
43,561

 
192,456

 
136,185

Marketing fees distillers grains and corn oil
 
14,609

 
12,909

 
33,370

 
32,076

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2013
 
December 31, 2012*
 
 
 
 
Amounts due included in accounts receivable
 
$
2,158,295

 
$
3,142,616

 
 
 
 
*Derived from audited financial statements.


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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 month periods ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same periods of the prior year. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the Management's Discussion and Analysis section for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2012.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains historical information, as well as forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and relate to future events, our future financial performance, or our expected future operations and actions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "future," "intend," "could," "hope," "predict," "target," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only our predictions based on current information and involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the reasons described in this report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012.

The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. We undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  You should read this report and the documents that we reference in this report and have filed as exhibits completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect.  We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
 
Overview
 
Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC is a South Dakota limited liability company that owns and manages its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol, L.L.C. Dakota Ethanol, L.L.C. owns and operates an ethanol plant located near Wentworth, South Dakota that has a nameplate production capacity of 40 million gallons of ethanol per year. Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC is referred to in this report as "LACP," the "company," "we," or "us." Dakota Ethanol, L.L.C. is referred to in this report as "Dakota Ethanol" "we" "us" or the "ethanol plant."

Our revenue is derived from the sale and distribution of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil.  The ethanol plant currently operates in excess of its nameplate capacity, producing approximately 48 million gallons of ethanol per year.  Corn is supplied to us primarily from our members who are local agricultural producers and from purchases of corn on the open market. We have engaged Renewable Products Marketing Group, Inc. ("RPMG") to market all of the ethanol and corn oil that we produce at the ethanol plant. Further, RPMG, Inc. markets all of the distillers grains that we produce that we do not market internally to local customers.

On May 20, 2013, we entered into a new comprehensive credit facility with Farm Credit Services of America ("FCSA"). The FCSA credit facility replaces our prior loans with First National Bank of Omaha. The FCSA loan is comprised of a $10 million revolving operating line of credit and a $5 million revolving term loan. The details of our new comprehensive credit facility with FCSA are described below in the section entitled "Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Indebtedness."


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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Fiscal Quarters Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentage of revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our consolidated statements of operations for the fiscal quarters ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
2013
 
2012
Income Statement Data
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
 
$
36,613,246

 
100.0

 
$
34,424,396

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenues
 
34,505,581

 
94.2

 
33,114,047

 
96.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
2,107,665

 
5.8

 
1,310,349

 
3.8

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expense
 
762,794

 
2.1

 
649,491

 
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from Operations
 
1,344,871

 
3.7

 
660,858

 
1.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income
 
130,341

 
0.4

 
39,724

 
0.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income
 
$
1,475,212

 
4.0

 
$
700,582

 
2.0


Revenues

Revenue from ethanol sales increased by approximately 6% during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Revenue from distillers grains increased by approximately 4% during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Revenue from corn oil increased by approximately 34% during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.

Ethanol

Our ethanol revenue was approximately $1.7 million greater during our third quarter of 2013 compared to our third quarter of 2012, an increase of approximately 6%. This increase in ethanol revenue was due to an increase in the total gallons of ethanol we sold during our third quarter of 2013 compared to our third quarter of 2012, partially offset by lower ethanol prices. Our total ethanol sales during our third quarter of 2013 were approximately 14% greater than during the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately 1,534,000 gallons. Management attributes this increase in ethanol sales with improved plant efficiencies and throughput capacity. In addition, we took our scheduled maintenance shutdown in October of 2013. In 2012, we had a scheduled maintenance shutdown in August which reduced our gallons of ethanol production during our third quarter of 2012. Management anticipates that ethanol sales will be lower during our fourth quarter of 2013 compared to our fourth quarter of 2012 as a result of this shift in our scheduled maintenance shutdown.
 
The average price we received for our ethanol was approximately $0.15 per gallon less during our third quarter of 2013 compared to our third quarter of 2012, a decrease of approximately 7%. Management attributes this decrease in ethanol prices with lower corn prices during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, which typically results in lower ethanol prices. Management anticipates continued lower ethanol prices compared to 2012 due to a larger corn crop which has resulted in a significant decrease in corn prices.

Distillers Grains

Our total distillers grains revenue increased by approximately 4% during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to increased production. For both our third quarter of 2013 and our third quarter of 2012, we sold approximately 26% of our total distillers grains in the dried form and approximately 74% of our total distillers grains in the modified/wet form. We decide the mix between dried distillers grains and modified/wet distillers grains we sell based on market conditions and the relative profitability of selling the different forms of distillers grains. Management anticipates that we will maintain this approximate mix between dried distillers grains and modified/wet distillers grains going forward unless market conditions change in a way that prefers one product over the other.


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The average price we received for our dried distillers grains was approximately 3% greater during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately $6 per ton. Management attributes this increase in dried distillers grains prices with fixed price forward sales contracts for our dried distillers grains during a time when corn prices were decreasing. The average price we received for our modified/wet distillers grains was approximately 17% less for our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, a decrease of approximately $44 per ton. Management attributes this decrease in the selling price of our modified/wet distillers grains with decreasing corn prices. Since most of our modified/wet distillers grains are used in our local market, we have fewer forward sales contracts for modified/wet distillers grains which results in more rapid price adjustments for our modified/wet product in reaction to changing corn prices.

Management anticipates that distillers grains prices will continue to follow the corn market. Due to the fact that corn prices have decreased with the fall harvest and more corn production in the current year which has increased corn availability, management anticipates continued lower distillers grains prices for the remaining quarter of our 2013 fiscal year and into our 2014 fiscal year.
    
Corn Oil

Our total pounds of corn oil sold increased by approximately 37% during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately 764,000 pounds, primarily due to improved efficiencies operating our corn oil extraction equipment and increased ethanol production. Management anticipates that corn oil production will continue to be variable based on the total production of ethanol at our plant and by operating efficiencies we achieve. Offsetting the increase in the total pounds of corn oil we sold was a decrease in the average price we received for our corn oil of approximately 3% for our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, a decrease of approximately $0.01 per pound. This decrease in market corn oil prices was primarily due to higher corn oil supply which has negatively impacted corn oil prices along with lower corn oil demand for biodiesel production. Management anticipates continued variability of corn oil prices as increased corn oil supply interacts with variable demand. As corn oil prices decrease, management believes that new markets for corn oil may develop which may provide additional demand for corn oil which does not exist at higher corn oil prices.

Cost of Revenues

The primary raw materials we use to produce our products are corn and natural gas. Our cost of revenues relating to corn was approximately 5% less for our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to lower corn prices during the 2013 period. Our average cost per bushel of corn decreased by approximately 13% for our third quarter of 2013 compared to our third quarter of 2012. Management attributes the decrease in corn prices with lower market corn prices due to an anticipated increase in corn production as we approached the fall harvest. Corn production estimates and early harvest results led to decreasing corn prices during our third quarter of 2013 which has positively impacted the price we pay for corn. We experienced higher than average corn prices during the previous year due to drought conditions which negatively impacted corn production. Management anticipates lower corn prices and decreased corn basis during our fourth quarter of 2013 and into our 2014 fiscal year due to the higher corn production in 2013.

We used approximately 9% more bushels of corn during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, due to increased production at the ethanol plant. Management anticipates that our corn consumption will remain at current levels into the foreseeable future as management expects relatively consistent production levels. However, we anticipate decreased corn consumption during our fourth quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 since we took our scheduled maintenance shutdown in October 2013 instead of during August as we did during 2012.

Our cost of revenues related to natural gas increased by approximately $345,000, an increase of approximately 32%, for our third quarter of 2013 compared to our third quarter of 2012. This increase was due to an increase in market natural gas prices and increased natural gas consumption during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Management attributes the higher natural gas prices during 2013 to higher energy prices in general compared to the 2012 period. Our average cost per MMBtu of natural gas during our third quarter of 2013 was approximately 28% higher per MMBtu compared to the price for our third quarter of 2012. Management anticipates higher natural gas prices during the winter months due to increased natural gas demand for heating needs which typically results in premium natural gas pricing during the winter months.

We used approximately 3% more MMBtus of natural gas during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to increased production during the 2013 period. Management anticipates that our natural gas consumption will remain at current levels into the foreseeable future.


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Operating Expense

Our operating expenses were higher for our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due primarily to higher professional fees and increased bonus and profit sharing accruals, partially offset by lower environmental compliance costs.

Other Income and Expense

Our income related to our investments was higher for our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to improved performance by the ethanol industry, particularly our investment in RPMG, our product marketer. We had more interest income during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to having more cash on hand during the 2013 period. We had less interest expense during our third quarter of 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to having less debt during the 2013 period.

Comparison of the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013 and 2012

The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentage of revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our consolidated statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
2013
 
2012
Income Statement Data
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
 
$
113,194,531

 
100.0

 
$
97,273,527

 
100.0

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of Revenues
 
105,061,703

 
92.8

 
95,231,086

 
97.9

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Profit
 
8,132,828

 
7.2

 
2,042,441

 
2.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Expense
 
2,589,099

 
2.3

 
2,176,884

 
2.2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income (Loss) from Operations
 
5,543,729

 
4.9

 
(134,443
)
 
(0.1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other Income
 
335,571

 
0.3

 
72,462

 
0.1

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
5,879,300

 
5.2

 
$
(61,981
)
 
(0.1
)

Revenues

Revenue from ethanol sales increased by approximately 15% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Revenue from distillers grains increased by approximately 24% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Revenue from corn oil increased by approximately 7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.

Ethanol

Our ethanol revenue was approximately $10,899,000 more during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of approximately 15%. The average price we received for our ethanol increased by approximately 9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately $0.19 per gallon of ethanol sold. Our total gallons of ethanol sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately 5% more than during the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately 1,761,000 gallons. This increase was due to improved plant efficiencies and the fact that we took our maintenance shutdown during our fourth quarter in 2013 compared to our third quarter in 2012.

Distillers Grains

Our total distillers grains revenue increased by approximately $4,880,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. We sold approximately 6% more tons of distillers grains during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. The average price we received for our dried distillers grains increased by approximately $28 per ton, an increase of approximately 14%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. The average price we received for our modified/wet distillers grains increased by approximately $36 per

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ton, an increase of approximately 17%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. For the nine months ended September 30, 2013, we sold approximately 16% of our distillers grains in the dried form and approximately 84% in the modified/wet form. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold approximately 15% of our distillers grains in the dried form and approximately 85% in the modified/wet form.
    
Corn Oil

Our total pounds of corn oil sold increased by approximately 14% during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to improved efficiency in operating our corn oil extraction equipment and increased production at our ethanol plant. Partially offsetting this increase in production, the average price we received for our corn oil decreased by approximately 5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.
    
Cost of Revenues

Our cost of revenues related to corn was approximately 8% higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Our average cost per bushel of corn increased by approximately 4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, an increase of approximately $0.26 per bushel of corn. This increase in corn costs was primarily due to higher corn prices during the first half of our 2013 fiscal year. We used approximately 4% more bushels of corn during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to increased production at the ethanol plant.

Our cost of revenues related to natural gas increased by approximately $1,123,000, an increase of approximately 33%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. Our average cost per MMBtu of natural gas during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was approximately 28% higher compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an increase of approximately $0.96 per MMBtu of natural gas. We used approximately 4% more natural gas during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, due to increased production at our ethanol plant, comparatively higher production of dried distillers grains and a colder and longer winter during the 2013 period.

Operating Expense

Our operating expenses increased by approximately 19%, or approximately $412,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012. This increase was due primarily to a one-time pledge to support a technical development center, increased profit sharing and bonus accruals, partially offset by lower environmental compliance costs.

Other Income and Expense

Our interest expense was higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 because we had more borrowing on our revolving loan. We had more income from our investments during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due primarily to our investment in our marketer, RPMG. Our interest income was higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 due to having more cash on hand, primarily during the second half of our 2013 fiscal year, which provided us with additional interest income.

Changes in Financial Condition for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2013

Current Assets

Our current assets were lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 primarily due to decreased accounts receivable, inventory and derivative financial instruments. The decrease in our accounts receivable is due to lower prices for ethanol and distillers grains. The value of our inventory was significantly lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 due to lower corn prices and having less corn inventory on hand along with a slight decrease in our finished goods and work in process inventory. The value of our derivative instruments was lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 due to having fewer forward and futures contracts in gain positions along with a significant decrease in cash that was being held by our commodities broker in our margin account.


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Property and Equipment

Our net property and equipment was lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 as a result of regular depreciation of our equipment, partially offset by capital improvements we made during our 2013 fiscal year related to wheeled equipment and process equipment.

Current Liabilities

Our accounts payable was significantly lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 because our corn suppliers typically seek to defer payments for corn that is delivered at the end of the year for tax purposes which increases our accounts payable. These deferred payments were made early in our first quarter of 2013. The liability associated with our derivative financial instruments was higher at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 due to more forward contracts in loss positions with the declining corn market. The current portion of our notes payable was lower at September 30, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 due to continuing payments we made on our outstanding notes payable, the majority of which were repaid during our second quarter of 2013 when we refinanced our primary loans.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our main sources of liquidity are cash from our continuing operations and amounts we have available to draw on our revolving lines of credit. Management does not anticipate that we will need to raise additional debt or equity financing in the next twelve months and management believes that our current sources of liquidity will be sufficient to continue our operations during that time period. We do not anticipate making any significant capital expenditures in the next 12 months other than ordinary repair and replacement of equipment in our ethanol plant.

Currently, we have two revolving loans which allow us to borrow funds for working capital. These two revolving loans are described in greater detail below in the section entitled "Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Indebtedness." As of September 30, 2013, we had $0 outstanding and $10,300,000 available to be drawn on these revolving loans, after taking into account the borrowing base calculation. Management anticipates that this is sufficient to maintain our liquidity and continue our operations.

The following table shows cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012:
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2013
 
2012
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities
 
$
7,600,008

 
$
(6,812,786
)
Net cash (used in) investing activities
 
(591,485
)
 
(862,191
)
Net cash (used in) financing activities
 
(6,371,572
)
 
(1,798,489
)

Cash Flow From Operations. Our operating activities provided more cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, primarily due to increased net income during the 2013 period. We also used less cash for margin calls related to our derivative instruments and inventory during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012.

Cash Flow From Investing Activities. Our investing activities used less cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012, due to having fewer capital expenditures during the 2013 period.

Cash Flow From Financing Activities. Our financing activities used more cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 compared to the same period of 2012 as a result of having a larger distribution during the 2013 period.

Indebtedness
 
On May 20, 2013, we entered into a new comprehensive credit facility with Farm Credit Services of America ("FCSA"). The FCSA credit facility replaces our prior loans with First National Bank of Omaha. The FCSA loan is comprised of a $10 million revolving operating line of credit (the "Operating Line") and a $5 million revolving term commitment (the "Term Revolver").

Pursuant to our FCSA loans, we are required to maintain working capital of $5 million. All of our assets, including the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory, serves as collateral for our loans with FCSA.


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Operating Line

The Operating Line has a two year term which matures on May 31, 2015. The total amount that we can draw on the Operating Line is restricted by a formula based on the amount of inventory, receivables and equity we have in certain CBOT futures positions. Interest on the Operating Line accrues at the one month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 310 basis points. There is a fee of 0.25% on the portion of the Operating Line that we are not using, which is billed quarterly. The interest rate for this loan at September 30, 2013 was 3.30%. As of September 30, 2013, we had $0 outstanding on the Operating Line and $5,300,000 available to be drawn, taking into account the borrowing base calculation.

Long-Term Debt Sources

The Term Revolver has a five year term which matures on May 31, 2018. We can use the Term Revolver for draws required to maintain compliance with our working capital requirements, funding approved capital expenditures and funding approved investments in other ethanol production facilities. Interest on the Term Revolver accrues at the one month LIBOR plus 335 basis points. There is a fee of 0.35% on the portion of the Term Revolver that we are not using, which is billed quarterly. As of September 30, 2013, the interest rate was 3.55%. On September 30, 2013, we had $0 outstanding and $5,000,000 available to be drawn on this loan.

Subordinated Debt
    
In 2009, we raised a total of $1,200,000 in subordinated loans to help offset the cost of our corn oil extraction equipment from two different parties. We secured $1,000,000 in financing for the corn oil extraction equipment from the Rural Electric Economic Development, Inc. (REED) and $200,000 from the First District Development Company (FDDC). We agreed to pay 4.70% interest on the $1,000,000 loan from REED and 5.5% interest on the $200,000 FDDC loan. Both loans were amortized over a period of five years and both loans required monthly payments. In April 2013, we repaid the balances of the REED and FDDC loans in full.

Covenants

As of September 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all of our loan covenants. Management's current financial projections indicate that we will be in compliance with our financial covenants for the next 12 months and we expect to remain in compliance thereafter. Management does not believe that it is reasonably likely that we will fall out of compliance with our material loan covenants in the next 12 months. If we fail to comply with the terms of our credit agreements with FCSA, and FCSA refuses to waive the non-compliance, FCSA may require us to immediately repay all amounts outstanding on our loans.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing our consolidated 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. Of the significant accounting policies described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we believe that the following are the most critical:

Derivative Instruments

We enter into short-term forward grain, option and futures contracts as a means of securing corn and natural gas for the ethanol plant and managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. We enter into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in energy prices. All of our derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, we use futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce our risk and we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories. To reduce that risk, we generally take positions using cash and futures contracts and options.

Unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts for corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and derivative contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements. The fair values of derivative contracts are presented on the accompanying balance sheet as derivative financial instruments.


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Lower of cost or market accounting for inventory

With the significant change in the prices of our main inputs and outputs, the lower of cost or market analysis of inventory can have a significant impact on our financial performance.

The impact of market activity related to pricing of corn and ethanol will require us to continuously evaluate the pricing of our inventory under a lower of cost or market analysis.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with 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 have loans that are subject to variable interest rates, however, we have no amounts outstanding on these loans at this time. 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 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.

Commodity Price Risk
 
We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices.  Exposure to commodity price risk results from our dependence on corn and natural gas in the ethanol production process.  We seek to minimize the risks from fluctuations in the prices of corn and natural gas 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, they are not designated as such for hedge accounting purposes, which would match the gain or loss on our hedge positions to the specific commodity purchase being hedged.  We are marking to market our hedge positions, which means as the current market price of our hedge positions changes, the gains and losses are immediately recognized in our cost of revenues.

The immediate recognition of hedging gains and losses can cause net income to be volatile from quarter to quarter due to the timing of the change in value of the derivative instruments relative to the cost and use of the commodity being hedged.  We recorded an increase to our cost of revenues of approximately $1.0 million related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. We recorded an increase to our cost of revenues of approximately $1.4 million related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended September 30, 2012. There are several variables that could affect the extent to which our derivative instruments are impacted by price fluctuations in the cost of corn or natural gas.  However, it is likely that commodity cash prices will have the greatest impact on the derivatives instruments with delivery dates nearest the current cash price.
  
As of September 30, 2013, we were committed to purchasing approximately 2.0 million bushels of corn with an average price of $4.72 per bushel. These corn purchases represent approximately 11% of our expected corn usage for the next 12 months. As corn 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 to our financial results, but are designed to produce long-term positive growth for us.

As of September 30, 2013, we were committed to purchasing approximately 130,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of approximately $3.67 per MMBtu. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 9% of our expected annual plant requirements.

As of September 30, 2013, we were committed to selling approximately 855,000 gallons of ethanol with an average price of approximately $1.87 per gallon. The ethanol sales represent approximately 2% of our expected annual plant production.

A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our exposure to corn and natural gas price risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in income resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the average cost of our corn and natural gas prices and average ethanol price as of September 30, 2013, net of the forward and future contracts used to hedge our market risk for corn and natural gas usage requirements. The volumes are based on our expected use and sale of these commodities for a one year period from September 30, 2013. The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:

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Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts)
 
Unit of Measure
 
Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price
 
Approximate Adverse Change to Income
Ethanol
48,145,000

 
Gallons
 
10
%
 
$
9,147,550

Corn
14,618,758

 
Bushels
 
10
%
 
$
6,154,497

Natural Gas
1,270,332

 
MMBTU
 
10
%
 
$
462,401


For comparison purposes, our sensitivity analysis for our 2012 fiscal year is set forth below.
 
Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts)
 
Unit of Measure
 
Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price
 
Approximate Adverse Change to Income
Ethanol
49,000,000

 
Gallons
 
10
%
 
$
9,849,000

Corn
15,208,204

 
Bushels
 
10
%
 
$
10,539,285

Natural Gas
1,330,000

 
MMBTU
 
10
%
 
$
456,190


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 under 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.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer), Scott Mundt, along with our Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer), Rob Buchholtz, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2013. Based on this review and evaluation, these officers believe that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information related to us is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the forms and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is 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, Dakota Ethanol or Lake Area Corn Processors may be named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including, worker's compensation claims, tort claims, or contractual disputes. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings, directly or indirectly, and we are not aware of any claims pending or threatened against us or any of the managers that could result in the commencement of material legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

The following risk factors are provided due to material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K. The risk factors set forth below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors section and the Management's Discussion and Analysis section for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, included in our annual report on Form 10-K.

Recent attempts to reduce or eliminate the Renewable Fuels Standard, if successful, could negatively impact our ability to operate profitably. The United States ethanol industry is highly dependent on several federal and state incentives which promote the use of ethanol. Without these incentives, demand for and the price of ethanol could be negatively impacted which could impair our ability to profitably operate. The most significant of the federal and state incentives which benefit ethanol is the Federal Renewable Fuels Standard ("RFS"). The RFS requires that an increasing amount of renewable fuels, including the corn-based ethanol we produce, must be blended with petroleum based fuels each year in the United States. The 2013 RFS requirement for corn-based ethanol was 13.8 billion gallons which pursuant to the requirements of the RFS should increase to 14.4 billion gallons in 2014. However, the EPA has authority to waive the requirements of the RFS, in whole or in part, provided one of two conditions are met. The conditions are: (1) there is inadequate domestic renewable fuel supply; or (2) implementation of the requirement would severely harm the economy or environment of a state, region or the United States. While we do not believe that either of these grounds exist with respect to corn-based ethanol, opponents of the RFS are seeking to force the EPA to reduce or eliminate the RFS. Further, several pieces of legislation have been introduced with the goal of significantly reducing or eliminating the RFS. While management believes that these legislative efforts will not be successful, it is possible that the EPA could adjust the RFS requirements during 2014. The EPA has refused to use its waiver authority in the past, however, it is possible that the EPA could use this authority for 2014. If the EPA were to adjust the RFS requirements in any material way, it could negatively impact demand for the ethanol we produce which could decrease or ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.

Demand for ethanol may not increase past current levels unless higher percentage blends of ethanol are more widely used. Since ethanol is typically blended with gasoline, changes in gasoline demand affects demand for ethanol. In recent years, gasoline demand has been decreasing which has similarly impacted ethanol demand. While ethanol use has increased as more gallons of gasoline in the United States are blended with ethanol, this trend may not continue as ethanol is blended at a 10% rate in nearly all of the gasoline sold in the United States. In order to increase demand for ethanol past current levels, or to maintain current demand for ethanol if gasoline demand continues to decrease, the percentage of ethanol that is blended into gasoline must increase. While the EPA has approved the use of gasoline blends containing 15% ethanol (called E15) for use in vehicles produced in the model year 2001 and after, E15 has not become readily available in the marketplace. Demand for ethanol has been positively impacted by sales of E85 for use in flexible fuel vehicles, however, many in the ethanol industry believe that the best way to

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increase ethanol demand is through higher percentage blends of ethanol in standard vehicles. Opponents of ethanol, particularly the petroleum industry, have opposed the use of higher blends of ethanol in gasoline and are seeking to limit the use of ethanol. If ethanol demand decreases, particularly due to decreasing gasoline demand, it could negatively impact the price we receive for our ethanol which could negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant. Further, if domestic ethanol supplies increase, including through increased ethanol imports from Brazil, it could negatively impact demand for the ethanol we produce which could negatively impact our ability to profitably operate the ethanol plant.

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, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

Exhibit No.
Exhibit
31.1

Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
31.2

Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
32.1

Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
32.2

Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
101

The following financial information from Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, and (iv) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.**
* Filed herewith.
** Furnished herewith


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 
LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
 
 
Date:
November 12, 2013
 /s/ Scott Mundt
 
Scott Mundt
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
Date:
November 12, 2013
 /s/ Rob Buchholtz
 
Rob Buchholtz
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



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