LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS LLC - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

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 quarterly period ended
March 31, 2023
or
o	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:	000-50254


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		Wentworth,	SD
P.O. Box 100		57075
		(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)


(605)	483-2676
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.


Large accelerated filer	o	Accelerated filer	o
Non-accelerated filer	x	Smaller Reporting Company	o
		Emerging Growth Company	o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.			o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o Yes x No

As of May 12, 2023, there are 29,620,000 membership units of the registrant outstanding.

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INDEX


			Page No.
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION			3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)			3
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			22
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk			28
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			30

Part II OTHER INFORMATION			30
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			30
Item 1A. Risk Factors			30
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			31
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			31
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures			32
Item 5. Other Information			32
Item 6. Exhibits			32
Signatures			33

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets


	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022*
ASSETS	(unaudited)

CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	842,277	$	27,004,205
Accounts receivable	950,008		1,083,258
Accounts receivable (related party)	8,944,477		1,850,646

Inventory	19,255,718		25,795,711
Derivative financial instruments	1,249,678		2,856,439
Prepaid and other expenses	1,445,914		864,810
Total current assets	32,688,072		59,455,069

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	874,473		874,473
Land improvements	8,763,023		8,763,023
Buildings	9,316,576		9,316,576
Equipment	108,127,329		108,125,289
Construction in progress	416,491		13,366
	127,497,892		127,092,727
Less accumulated depreciation	(65,005,083)		(63,611,356)
Net property and equipment	62,492,809		63,481,371

OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766		10,395,766
Investments	18,554,806		17,691,011
Other	8,194,480		5,383,310
Total other assets	37,145,052		33,470,087

TOTAL ASSETS	$	132,325,933	$	156,406,527

* Derived from audited financial statements.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets



	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022*
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY	(unaudited)

CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	$	3,828,414	$	4,200,281
Accounts payable	12,213,956		39,105,845
Accrued liabilities	571,303		719,113
Derivative financial instruments	474,497		435,053

Current portion of notes payable	1,000,000		1,000,000

Total current liabilities	18,088,170		45,460,292

LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable	2,998,667		2,998,229


Total long-term liabilities	2,998,667		2,998,229


MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)	111,239,096		107,948,006

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$	132,325,933	$	156,406,527

* 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 March 31, 2023		Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

REVENUES	$	77,841,106	$	64,450,894

COSTS OF REVENUES	73,942,513		61,758,095

GROSS PROFIT	3,898,593		2,692,799

OPERATING EXPENSES	1,451,502		1,247,879

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	2,447,091		1,444,920

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	196,465		254,548

Equity in net income (loss) of investments	863,795		(1,543)
Interest expense	(90,291)		(32,726)
Total other income	969,969		220,279

NET INCOME	$	3,417,060	$	1,665,199

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	$	0.12	$	0.06

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING	29,620,000		29,620,000

DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT	$	—	$	0.51

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Members' Equity (Unaudited)


	Members' Equity

Balance - December 31, 2021	$	113,468,865

Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022	1,665,199

Member distributions	(15,056,167)

Balance - March 31, 2022	$	100,077,897


	Members' Equity

Balance - December 31, 2022	$	107,948,006

Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2023	3,417,060

Member distributions	(125,970)

Balance - March 31, 2023	$	111,239,096

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)


	Three Months Ended March 31, 2023		Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	3,417,060	$	1,665,199
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash used in operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	1,398,163		1,222,429
Distributions in excess of earnings (earnings in excess of distributions) from investments	(863,795)		2,501,543

Loss on disposal of property and equipment	—		(125,400)

(Increase) decrease in
Accounts receivable	(6,960,581)		819,094
Inventory	6,539,993		(3,178,651)
Prepaid and other expenses	159,728		149,788
Derivative financial instruments	1,646,205		(2,893,456)

Increase (decrease) in
Accounts payable	(26,287,473)		(21,814,546)
Accrued liabilities	(147,810)		(400,476)
NET CASH USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(21,098,510)		(22,054,476)

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Natural gas transportation prepayment	(3,556,000)		—
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,009,581)		(2,386,032)

NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(4,565,581)		(2,386,032)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Decrease in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	(371,867)		(306,315)
Borrowings on notes payable	5,949,000		3,000,000
Payments on notes payable	(5,949,000)		(1,000,000)

Distributions paid to members	(125,970)		(15,056,167)
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(497,837)		(13,362,482)

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(26,161,928)		(37,802,990)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	27,004,205		37,995,310

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	842,277	$	192,320

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of capitalized interest of $2,480 and $26,844 in 2023 and 2022, respectively.	$	75,768	$	50,316
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	—		37,561

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

NOTE 1 . NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Principal Business Activity

Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC (the "Company") and its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol, LLC ("Dakota Ethanol") are both South Dakota limited liability companies.

The Company owns and manages Dakota Ethanol, a 100 million-gallon (annual nameplate capacity) ethanol plant, located near Wentworth, South Dakota. Dakota Ethanol sells ethanol and related products to customers located in North America.

In addition, the Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. See Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company for further details.

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. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2023 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 thereto included in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2022, contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for 2022 filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023.

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

ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company generally recognizes revenue at one point in time, as more thoroughly described below. The Company's contracts with customers generally have one performance obligation and a contract duration of one year or less.

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point and control of the goods transfers to customers when the goods are loaded into trucks or when rail cars are shipped. Consideration is based on predetermined contractual prices or on current market prices.

•sales of ethanol

•sales of distillers grains

•sales of distillers corn oil

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

Disaggregation of revenue:

All revenue recognized in the income statement is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:


	Three Months Ended March 31
	2023		2022

Revenues ethanol	$	58,403,869	$	48,205,895
Revenues distillers grains	14,609,329		12,124,702
Revenues distillers corn oil	4,827,908		4,120,297
	$	77,841,106	$	64,450,894

Contract assets and contract liabilities:

The Company receives payments from customers based on contractual billing schedules and accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract.

The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities from contracts with customers at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Shipping costs

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

When the Company performs shipping and handling activities after the transfer of control to the customers (e.g., when control transfers prior to delivery), they are considered fulfillment activities, and accordingly, the costs are accrued for when the related revenue is recognized.

Reporting Segment

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker or decision making group in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company has determined that it has six (6) operating segments that give rise to two (2) reportable segments. See "Note 3 - Segments" in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Costs of Revenues

The primary raw materials we use to produce ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil are corn and natural gas.

Electricity, raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), direct labor costs, and shipping costs on modified and wet distillers grains are included in cost of revenues.

Inventory Valuation

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand accounts and other accounts with original maturities of three months or less that provide withdrawal privileges.

Receivables and Credit Policies

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and, based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The allowance was $0 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations including price risks on anticipated purchases of corn, natural gas, the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil. The Company manages these risks by using forward, future and options derivative instruments.

The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products. In general, unfavorable market conditions result from rising corn prices. 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 are 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. Additionally, the crisis in Ukraine may effect the price of corn, and by extension, our business.

Certain contracts that meet the definition of a derivative may be exempt 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.

The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2023, the Company was committed to purchasing approximately 3.2 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $6.58 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent approximately 9% of the annual projected plant corn usage.

The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered. At March 31, 2023, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1,649,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of $3.64 per MMBtu. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchase contracts represent approximately 79% of the annual plant requirements.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered. At March 31, 2023, the Company was committed to selling approximately 34,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $246 per ton. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 15% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered. At March 31, 2023, the Company was committed to selling approximately 2.8 million pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.59 per pound. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 8% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company did not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2023.

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. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, or a normal purchase, normal sale exemption is elected. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated 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 of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:


	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022*

Corn forward contracts in gain position		$	197,924	$	922,181
Futures contracts in gain position		346,463		252,450
Futures contracts in loss position		(397,363)		(395,300)
Total forward, futures and options contracts		147,024		779,331
Cash held by broker		1,102,654		2,077,108
	Current Assets	$	1,249,678	$	2,856,439






Corn forward contracts in loss position	Current Liabilities	$	(474,497)	$	(435,053)

*Derived from audited financial statements

Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party, and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.

Forward contracts are with multiple parties, and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.

Gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas are included as a component of costs of revenues.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022


	Statement of Operations	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2023		2022
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	1,317,655	$	(8,560,524)
Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(2,095,875)		4,207,196

Investments

The Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are flow-through entities and are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company's share of net income is recognized as income in the Company's statements of operations and added to the investment account. Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data.

Goodwill

Annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred, the Company performs an impairment test on goodwill, which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized, if necessary, for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. The Company performs the annual analysis as of December 31 of each fiscal year. The Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill at December 31, 2022 or through March 31, 2023 on the basis that no triggering events were noted.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements 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 net realizable value accounting for inventory and goodwill and fixed asset impairment evaluation.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it will experience during volatile market conditions, which can have a severe impact on operations. The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol and distiller grains to customers primarily located in the United States. Corn for the production process is supplied to the plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, ethanol sales averaged approximately 75% of total revenues, while approximately 19% of revenues were generated from the sale of distillers grains and 6% of revenues were generated from the sale of corn oil. For the three months ended March 31, 2023, corn costs averaged approximately 76% of cost of goods sold.

The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by the prices at which it sells ethanol and the net expense of corn. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, weather, unleaded gasoline and the petroleum markets, government programs, global political or economic issues, including but not limited to, the war in Ukraine including sanctions associated therewith, shortages, export prices, crude oil prices, currency valuations and government policies in the United States and around the world, over which we have no control. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol.

The Company's largest cost of production is corn. The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, weather, and government programs, global political or economic issues, including but not limited to the war in Ukraine

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

including sanctions associated therewith, or global damaging growing conditions, such as plant disease or adverse weather, including drought, increased fertilizer costs as well as global conflicts. The Company's risk management program is used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities.

NOTE 3. SEGMENTS

The Company reports its financial and operating performance in two segments: (1) production, which includes the manufacturing and marketing of fuel-grade ethanol and co-products of the ethanol production process and (2) ethanol producing equity method investments, which consists of the aggregation of the Company's two equity method operating segments of investment in Guardian Hankinson, LLC and investment in Ring-neck Energy & Feed, LLC. The Company discloses its other identified operating segments in an all other category ("All Other"), which consists of the Company's investments in RPMG, LLC, Lawrenceville Tank, LLC, and Guardian Energy Management, LLC.

The Company’s two reportable segments have been identified based on their unique characteristics. Our production segment is the Company’s ethanol plant that is operated in a manner chosen by our chief decision making team. The ethanol producing equity method segment consists of aggregated operating segments investments that have exceeded the quantitative thresholds for reportable segments which have similar economic characteristics but our chief decision making team does not have input into the daily operations of those entities. The All Other is comprised of investments that fall below the quantitative thresholds for reporting segments and the Company's chief decision making team has no input into their daily operations. Production includes the core operating drivers of the Company’s consolidated financial statements which consist of the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products. Ethanol producing equity method investments derive their revenues from the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products. The All Other receives its revenues from marketing fees, management fees, and storage fees. The reconciliation item is necessary due to reportable segments not being consolidated in the financial statements, but rather are reflected as equity method investments.

The segments were identified using standards under ASC 280-10-50. They each engage in business activities, the operating results are reviewed by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, and discrete financial information is available for each segment.

The following tables set forth certain financial data for the Company's operating segments:

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022


	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
	unaudited		unaudited
Net Sales
Production	$	77,841,106	$	64,450,894
Ethanol Producing Equity Method Investments	162,621,455		170,128,327
All Other	4,338,014		4,409,009
Total	244,800,575		238,988,230
Reconciliation	(166,959,469)		(174,537,336)
Consolidated	$	77,841,106	$	64,450,894

Gross Profit:
Production	$	3,898,593	$	2,692,799
Ethanol Producing Equity Method Investments	12,538,070		4,158,879
All Other	2,903,760		2,935,856
Total	19,340,423		9,787,534
Reconciliation	(15,441,830)		(7,094,735)
Consolidated	$	3,898,593	$	2,692,799

Net Income:
Production	$	3,417,060	$	1,665,199
Ethanol Producing Equity Method Investments	6,268,544		(1,472,217)
All Other	1,206,647		1,131,978
Total	10,892,251		1,324,960
Reconciliation	(7,475,191)		340,239
Consolidated	$	3,417,060	$	1,665,199


	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
	unaudited		audited
Total Assets
Production	$	132,325,933	$	156,406,527
Ethanol Producing Equity Method Investments	220,287,839		239,476,419
All Other	301,223,137		296,653,249
Total	653,836,909		692,536,195
Reconciliation	(521,510,976)		(536,129,668)
Consolidated	$	132,325,933	$	156,406,527

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

NOTE 4. INVENTORY

Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:


	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022*
Raw materials	$	12,186,837	$	12,397,256
Finished goods	3,617,883		10,050,394
Work in process	1,817,431		1,353,715
Parts inventory	1,633,567		1,994,346
	$	19,255,718	$	25,795,711

*Derived from audited financial statements.

As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company recorded a lower of cost or net realizable value write-down on inventory of approximately $5,000 and $2,000, respectively.

NOTE 5. INVESTMENTS

Dakota Ethanol has a 5% investment interest in the Company’s ethanol marketer, Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC ("RPMG"). The net income, which is reported in the Company’s income statement for RPMG, is based on RPMG’s December 31, 2022 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $2,303,000 and $2,286,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Dakota Ethanol has a 10% investment interest in Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC ("LT"), a partnership which operates an ethanol storage terminal in Georgia. The net income, which is reported in the Company’s income statement for LT, is based on LT’s March 31, 2023 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $287,000 and $216,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 10% investment interest in Guardian Hankinson, LLC ("GH"), a partnership which operates an ethanol plant in North Dakota. The net income, which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GH, is based on GH’s March 31, 2023 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $2,271,000 and $1,870,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 17% investment interest in Guardian Energy Management, LLC ("GEM"), a partnership to provide management services to ethanol plants. The net income, which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GEM, is based on GEM’s March 31, 2023 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $92,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Lake Area Corn Processors has an 12% investment interest in Ring-neck Energy and Feeds, LLC ("REF"), a partnership which operates an ethanol plant in South Dakota. The net income, which is reported in the Company’s income statement for REF, is based on REF’s March 31, 2023 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $13,601,000 and $13,227,000 as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The carrying amount of the investment exceeds the underlying equity in net assets by approximately $927,000. The excess is comprised of a basis adjustment of approximately $381,000 and capitalized interest of $546,000. The excess is amortized over 20 years from May 2019, the time the plant became operational.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company’s investments in RPMG, LT, GH, GEM and REF are as follows:


Balance Sheet	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Current Assets	$	364,219,061	$	376,111,612
Other Assets	157,291,914		160,018,056
Current Liabilities	305,205,261		334,797,023
Long-term Liabilities	30,527,382		36,462,751
Members' Equity	185,778,332		164,869,892

	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
Revenue	$	166,959,469	$	174,537,336
Gross Profit	15,441,830		7,094,735
Net Income (Loss)	7,458,774		(340,239)

The following table shows the condensed financial information of GH; the investment which represents greater than 10% of the Company's income as of December 31, 2022.


Balance Sheet	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Current Assets	$	36,869,488	$	35,429,047
Other Assets	41,101,992		41,806,802
Current Liabilities	46,563,523		49,708,032
Long-term Liabilities	8,702,074		8,829,302
Members' Equity	22,705,883		18,698,514

	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
Revenue	$	112,936,798	$	109,398,742
Gross Profit	5,339,374		370,244
Net Income (Loss)	4,007,369		(450,990)

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

The following table shows the condensed financial information of REF; the investment which represents greater than 10% of the Company's assets as of December 31, 2022.


Balance Sheet	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Current Assets	$	27,853,480	$	46,040,175
Other Assets	114,462,879		116,200,396
Current Liabilities	13,548,389		30,950,092
Long-term Liabilities	21,825,308		27,633,449
Members' Equity	106,942,662		103,657,030

	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2023		March 31, 2022
Revenue	$	49,684,657	$	60,729,585
Gross Profit	7,198,696		3,788,635
Net Income (Loss)	2,261,175		(1,021,227)

The Company recorded equity in net income (loss) of investment at approximately $864,000 and $(1,500) from our investments for the three months ended March 31, 2023, and 2022, respectively.

NOTE 6. REVOLVING PROMISSORY NOTE

Dakota Ethanol has a revolving promissory note with Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount up to $2,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, whichever is less. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% per annum on the unused portion of the $2,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2023. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 305 basis points above the Secured Overnight Financing 30-day Average Rate ("SOFR 30"). The interest rate is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.60% at March 31, 2023. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $2,000,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note.

NOTE 7. LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

Dakota Ethanol has a term note from FCSA in the amount of $8,000,000. Dakota Ethanol makes monthly interest payments and annual principal payments of $1,000,000. The note matures on August 1, 2025. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 330 basis points above the SOFR 30. The interest rate is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.85% at March 31, 2023. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $4,000,000 outstanding on the note.

Dakota Ethanol has a reducing revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount up to $48,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing availability under the credit agreement. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $1,750,000 semi-annually starting on July 1, 2021 until the maximum balance reaches $32,250,000 on July 1, 2025. The note matures on January 1, 2026. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 330 basis points above the SOFR 30. The interest rate is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.85% at March 31, 2023. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $1,000 outstanding and $40,999,000 available to be drawn on the note.

As part of the notes, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits, minimum debt service coverage ratios, net worth and working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note payable agreement was amended in October 2021 with modifications to the requirements. The working capital covenant was increased to $13,500,000 and the net worth covenant was increased to $28,000,000. We are required to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

The balances of the notes payable are as follows. The balances reflect the updated agreement:

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022


	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022
Term Note Payable	$	4,000,000	$	4,000,000


Revolving Note Payable	1,000		1,000
Less unamortized debt issuance costs	(2,333)		(2,771)
	3,998,667		3,998,229
Less current portion	(1,000,000)		(1,000,000)
	$	2,998,667	$	2,998,229
*Derived from audited financial statements

Principal maturities for the remainder of the Note are estimated as follows.



Periods Ending March 31,	Principal
2024	$	1,000,000
2025	1,000,000
2026	2,001,000



	$	4,001,000

NOTE 8. 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 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 Chicago Board of Trade ("CBOT") and New York Mercantile Exchange ("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 CBOT markets.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 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
March 31, 2023

Assets:
Derivative financial instruments, futures and options contracts	$	346,463	$	346,463	$	—	$	—
Forward contracts	$	197,924	$	—	$	197,924	$	—

Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments, futures and options contracts	$	397,363	$	397,363	$	—	$	—
Forward contracts	$	474,497	$	—	$	474,497	$	—

December 31, 2022*

Assets:
Derivative financial instruments, futures and options contracts	$	252,450	$	252,450	$	—	$	—
Forward contracts	$	922,181	$	—	$	922,181	$	—

Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments, futures and options contracts	$	395,300	$	395,300	$	—	$	—
Forward contracts	$	435,053	$	—	$	435,053	$	—

*Derived from audited financial statements.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 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 March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

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 Company believes the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents (level 1), accounts receivable (level 2), accounts payable and accruals (level 2) and short-term debt (level 2) approximates fair value.

The carrying amount of long-term obligations (level 3) at March 31, 2023 of $4,001,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $4,001,000 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt. The carrying amount of long-term obligations at December 31, 2022 of $4,001,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $4,001,000.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

NOTE 9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Dakota Ethanol has a 5% interest in RPMG, and Dakota Ethanol has entered into marketing agreements for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil inventories produced by Dakota Ethanol. The marketing fees are included in net revenues. The Company also purchases denaturant from RPMG.

Revenues and marketing fees related to the agreements as well as denaturant purchases are as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022

Revenues ethanol	$	58,468,720	$	48,282,029
Revenues distillers dried grains	2,920,145		3,361,155
Revenues corn oil	4,844,211		4,134,608
Marketing fees ethanol	(64,851)		(76,134)
Marketing fees distillers dried grains	(11,389)		(16,919)
Marketing fees corn oil	(16,303)		(14,311)
Denaturant purchases	535,782		686,120

	March 31, 2023		December 31, 2022*
Amounts due to RPMG	$	10,074	$	123,573

*Derived from audited financial statements.

The Company purchased corn and services from members of its Board of Managers that farm and operate local businesses. Corn purchases from these related parties during the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 totaled approximately $285,000 and $159,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no outstanding obligations to these related parties.

NOTE 10 - CCOMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND AGREEMENTS

Agreements

On June 24, 2022, Dakota Ethanol, LLC, entered into the Precedent Agreement West Leg 2023 Expansion between Northern Natural Gas Company and the Dakota Ethanol (the "West Leg Agreement"). Pursuant to the West Leg Agreement, Dakota Ethanol will receive additional firm commitment natural gas transportation services. In order to secure these firm commitment natural gas transportation services, Dakota Ethanol agrees to pay Northern Natural Gas Company a contribution to the cost of constructing certain additional natural gas pipeline and storage facilities. Dakota Ethanol's contribution is estimated to be $8,890,000, which has been paid in its entirety as of March 31, 2023. For a period of five years beginning on November 1, 2023, Dakota Ethanol is entitled to a firm natural gas commitment of 7,000 decatherms per day during the winter months (between November 1 and March 31 each year), and firm commitment of 4,340 decatherms per day during the summer months. The payments to Northern Natural Gas are included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.

From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company can be subject to litigation based on its operations. There is no current litigation nor any litigation that is considered probable at this time.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2023 AND 2022

NOTE 11 - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 3, 2023, Dakota Ethanol, LLC, received a formal proposal from the USDA Biofuel Producer Relief Program for an additional payment of approximately $2,500,000 that was the result of a summary judgement ruling in favor of Dakota Ethanol. On May 2, 2023, that offer was formally accepted.

During May 2023, the Company declared a distribution to its members of $2,962,000 or $0.10 per capital unit, to unit holders of record as of April 1, 2023.

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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 month period ended March 31, 2023, compared to the same period 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, 2022, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 which was filed with the SEC on March 9, 2023.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains historical information, as well as forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks, including the growing crisis in Ukraine, 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, 2022.

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, LLC. Dakota Ethanol, LLC owns and operates an ethanol plant located near Wentworth, South Dakota that has a nameplate production capacity of 100 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, LLC is referred to in this report as "Dakota Ethanol" or the "ethanol plant."

Our revenue is derived from the sale and distribution of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil. 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, Inc.") 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.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

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 income for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:


	2023			2022
Income Statement Data	Amount		%	Amount		%
Revenues	$	77,841,106	100.0	$	64,450,894	100.0

Cost of Revenues	73,942,513		95.0	61,758,095		95.8

Gross Profit	3,898,593		5.0	2,692,799		4.2

Operating Expense	1,451,502		1.9	1,247,879		1.9

Income from Operations	2,447,091		3.1	1,444,920		2.3

Other Income	969,969		1.3	220,279		0.3

Net Income	$	3,417,060	4.4	$	1,665,199	2.6

Revenues

Revenue from sales increased by approximately 20.8% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased gallons of ethanol sold. Revenue from distillers grains sales increased by approximately 20.5% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased prices that we received for our distillers grains. Revenue from corn oil sales increased by approximately 17.2% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to more pounds of corn oil sold during the 2023 period along with increased prices that we received for corn oil sold.

Ethanol

Our ethanol revenue was approximately $10.2 million higher during our three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, an increase of approximately 21.2%. This increase in ethanol revenue was due primarily to an increase in the gallons of ethanol sold during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The average price we received for our ethanol was approximately $0.03 lower per gallon during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022, a decrease of approximately 1.6%. Management attributes this decrease in ethanol prices during the three months ended March 31, 2023 to lower gasoline prices generally which decreases the price of ethanol. Since ethanol is blended with gasoline, when gasoline price and demand are lower it has a corresponding impact on ethanol price and demand.

We sold approximately 23.1% more gallons of ethanol during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, an increase of approximately 5,257,000 gallons. The increase is due primarily to increased production and sales of ethanol inventory during the three months ended March 31, 2023. Management anticipates increased production and sales during our 2023 fiscal year due to fermentation expansion added in 2022.

Distillers Grains

Our total distillers grains revenue was approximately 20.5% higher during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased prices received for our distillers grains. The average price we received for our dried distillers grains was approximately 29.2% higher during the three months ended March 31, 2023

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compared to the same period of 2022, an increase of approximately $57.78 per ton. Management attributes the increase in dried distillers grains prices during the three months ended March 31, 2023 to increases in the demand for distillers grains. The average price we received for our modified/wet distillers grains was approximately 25.7% higher for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, an increase of approximately $56.86 per ton. Management attributes this increase in modified/wet distillers grains prices with higher demand in the market.

We sold approximately 5.5% less total tons of distillers grains during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to an increase of distillers grain inventory at March 31, 2023.

Corn Oil

Our total corn oil revenue was approximately 17.2% higher during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased pounds sold during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. The average price per pound we received for our corn oil was higher by approximately 2.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to demand from the renewable diesel industry for corn oil along with higher soybean oil prices. During 2022, the biodiesel blenders' tax credit was reinstated through 2024 so we expect that corn oil demand will remain high through 2024.

Our total pounds of corn oil sold increased by approximately 14.3% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased production.

Cost of Revenues

Corn

Our cost of revenues relating to corn was approximately 5.2% higher for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due to increased corn usage during the 2023 period.

Our average cost per bushel of corn increased by approximately 0.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. We consumed approximately 5.3% more bushels of corn during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 that contributed to higher corn cost. Management anticipates corn prices to remain higher during our 2023 fiscal year due to drought conditions in the area that surrounds our plant and global uncertainty in the commodities markets.

We experienced approximately $574,00 of combined realized and unrealized loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 to our corn derivative instruments which increased our cost of goods sold. By comparison, we experienced approximately $4,389,000 of combined realized and unrealized loss for the three months ended March 31, 2022 related to our corn derivative instruments which increased our 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.

Natural Gas

Our cost of revenues related to natural gas increased by approximately $1,804,000, an increase of approximately 74.9%, for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2022. This increase was due to higher natural gas costs per MMBtu during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022.

Our average cost per MMBtu of natural gas during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was approximately 68.6% more compared to the cost per MMbtu for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Management attributes this increase in our average natural gas costs to higher market natural gas prices and increased transportation costs.

The volume of natural gas we used increased by approximately 3.7% during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due to increased production at the plant.

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Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses were comparable for the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022.

Other Income and Expense

Our other income increased during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due primarily to increased income from our investments. We had more income from our investments during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due to increased profitability in the ethanol sector. We had more interest expense during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022 due to higher interest rates on outstanding debt instruments.

Changes in Financial Condition for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Current Assets

Our cash on hand at March 31, 2023 was less compared to December 31, 2022 due to deferred corn payments. We had more accounts receivable at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to the timing of our quarter end and the payments received related to the shipments of our products. The value of our inventory was less at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to decreased quantities of corn and finished goods inventory. The asset value of our derivative instruments was less at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to recent corn price changes which impacted our derivative instruments. We had higher prepaid and other expenses at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to the current portion of the prepayment for the firm commitment on natural gas transportation with Northern Natural Gas.

Property and Equipment

The value of our property and equipment was slightly lower at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to regular depreciation of our assets.

Other Assets

The value of our investments was higher at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to the profitability from our investments during the three months ended March 31, 2023. We had more other assets at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due primarily to the prepayment for the firm commitment on natural gas transportation with Northern Natural Gas.

Current Liabilities

We had less outstanding checks in excess of bank balances at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to the timing of our quarter end and payments issued. We use our revolving loan to pay any checks that are presented for payment which exceed the cash we have available in our accounts. Our accounts payable were lower at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due primarily to deferred corn payables at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 as the deferred payments were paid during the first quarter of 2023. Our derivative instrument liability was higher at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022 due to recent corn price changes which impacted our derivative instruments. The current portion of our notes payable was unchanged at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022.

Long-Term Liabilities

Our long-term liabilities were unchanged at March 31, 2023 compared to December 31, 2022.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

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Our main sources of liquidity are cash from our continuing operations, distributions we receive from our investments and amounts we have available to draw on our revolving credit facilities. 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 anticipate that any capital expenditures we undertake will be paid out of cash from operations and existing loans and will not require any additional debt or equity financing.

Currently, we have two revolving loans, which allow us to borrow funds for working capital. These 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 March 31, 2023, we had $1,000 outstanding and $42,999,000 available to be drawn on our revolving loans, after taking into account the borrowing base calculation. Management anticipates that this is sufficient to maintain our liquidity and continue our operations for the next twelve months.

The following table shows cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2023		2022
Net cash (used in) operating activities	$	(21,098,510)	$	(22,054,476)
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(4,565,581)		(2,386,032)
Net cash (used in) financing activities	(497,837)		(13,362,482)

Cash Flow From Operations. Our operating activities used less cash during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, due primarily to increased net income, decreased inventory, and a decrease in derivative financial instruments during the 2023 period partially offset by an increase in accounts receivable and a larger decrease in accounts payable.

Cash Flow From Investing Activities. Our investing activities used more cash during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, due to the prepayment of our natural gas services agreement.

Cash Flow From Financing Activities. Our financing activities used less cash during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to the same period of 2022, due primarily to less distributions paid to members during the 2023 period.

Plans for Cash in the Short Term and in the Long Term

In the next 12 months, the Company plans to reinvest its cash into current business operations and may provide further distributions to its members. In the long term, the Company plans to reinvest its cash into current business operations and may provide further distributions to its members.

Indebtedness

We maintain a comprehensive credit facility with Farm Credit Services of America, PCA and Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (collectively "FCSA"). All of our assets, including the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory, serve as collateral for our loans with FCSA.

On October 11, 2021, we entered into a Fourth Amendment to the credit agreement (the "Fourth Amendment"). Under the Fourth Amendment, the operating lines' maturity date was extended to November 1, 2023. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of the operating line will accrue at the SOFR 30 plus 305 basis points. The available credit on the reducing revolving note is $40,999,000. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of the revolving loan and term loan will accrue at the SOFR 30 plus 330 basis points. The working capital covenant was increased to $13,500,000, and the net worth covenant was increased to $28,000,0000. Dakota Ethanol may make distributions in an amount up to 75% of our prior year's net income, so long as the Company's working capital stays above $18,000,000 post distribution.

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Operating Line

Dakota Ethanol has a revolving promissory note from FCSA in an amount up to $2,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, whichever is less. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 305 basis points above the SOFR 30 and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.60% at March 31, 2023. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% per anuum on the unused portion of the availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2023. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $2,000,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

Reducing Revolving Loan

Dakota Ethanol has a reducing revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount up to $46,250,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing availability under the credit agreement. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $1,750,000 semi-annually starting on July 1, 2021 until the maximum balance reaches $32,250,000 on July 1, 2025. The note matures on January 1, 2026. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at the SOFR 30 plus 330 basis points. The interest rate is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.85% at March 31, 2023. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.5% per annum on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $1,000 outstanding and $40,999,000 available to be drawn on the note.

2017 Term Loan

On August 1, 2017, Dakota Ethanol executed a term note with FCSA in the amount of $8 million. Dakota Ethanol agreed to make monthly interest payments starting September 1, 2017 and annual principal payments of $1,000,000 starting on August 1, 2018. The payment that was due in August 2020 was deferred to August 2025. The note matures on August 1, 2025. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 330 basis points above the SOFR 30 and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 7.85% at March 31, 2023. On March 31, 2023, Dakota Ethanol had $4,000,000 outstanding on the note.

Covenants

Our credit facilities with FCSA are subject to various loan covenants. If we fail to comply with these loan covenants, FCSA can declare us to be in default of our loans. The material loan covenants applicable to our credit facilities are our working capital covenant, local net worth covenant and our debt service coverage ratio. We are required to maintain working capital (current assets minus current liabilities plus availability on our revolving loan) of at least $13.5 million. We are required to maintain local net worth (total assets minus total liabilities minus the value of certain investments) of at least $28 million. We are required to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00. Dakota Ethanol may make distributions in an amount up to 75% of prior year's net income, so long as the Company's working capital stays above $18,000,000 post distribution.

As of March 31, 2023, we were in compliance with our financial covenants under the FCSA loans. 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

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We enter into short-term forward option and futures contracts as a means of securing corn for the ethanol plant and managing exposure to changes in commodity prices. We enter into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in commodity 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 or treated as normal purchases and sales contracts and analyzed for inherent losses. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as nor 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 sheets as derivative financial instruments.

Goodwill

Annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred, the Company performs an impairment test on goodwill which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized, if necessary, for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. The Company performs the annual analysis as of December 31 of each fiscal year.

Inventory Valuation

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue at a point in time when performance obligations are satisfied. Revenue from the production of ethanol and related products is recorded when control 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 distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with commodity prices and interest rates 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 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.

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Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from holding loans which bear variable interest rates. As of March 31, 2023, we had $4,001,000 outstanding on our variable interest rate loans with interest accruing at a rate of 7.85%. Our variable interest rates are calculated by adding a set basis to the SOFR 30. If we were to experience a 10% increase in the SOFR 30, the annual effect such change would have on our income statement, based on the amount we had outstanding on our variable interest rate loans as of March 31, 2023, would be approximately $18,200.

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. Our exposure to commodity price risk may be heightened due to the crisis in Ukraine.

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 a combined increase to our cost of revenues of approximately $778,000 related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. We recorded a combined increase to our cost of revenues of approximately $4,389,000 related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. 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 March 31, 2023, we were committed to purchasing approximately 3.2 million bushels of corn with an average price of $6.58 per bushel. These corn purchases represent approximately 9% of our projected plant corn usage for the next 12 months.

As of March 31, 2023, we were committed to purchasing approximately 1,649,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of $3.64 per MMBtu. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 79% of the projected annual plant requirements.

As of March 31, 2023, we were committed to selling approximately 34,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $246 per ton. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 15% of the projected annual plant production.

As of March 31, 2023, we were committed to selling approximately 2.8 million pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.59 per pound. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 8% of the projected annual plant production.

We did not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2023.

A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our exposure to corn, natural gas and ethanol 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 March 31, 2023, net of the forward and future contracts used to hedge our market risk for corn and natural gas usage requirements. The volumes are based on our

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expected use and sale of these commodities for a one year period from March 31, 2023. The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:


	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	100,000,000	Gallons	10	%	$	22,252,772
Corn	31,420,621	Bushels	10	%	$	21,585,967
Natural Gas	601,000	MMBTU	10	%	$	126,811

For comparison purposes, our sensitivity analysis for our quarter ended March 31, 2022 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	92,000,000	Gallons	10	%	$	20,976,000
Corn	27,171,197	Bushels	10	%	$	19,264,378
Natural Gas	514,000	MMBTU	10	%	$	290,410

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 March 31, 2023. 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 March 31, 2023, 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 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022. The risk factors set forth below should be read in conjunction with the risk factors section and the Management's Discussion and Analysis section included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the Securities Exchange Commission on March 9, 2023.

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The Company faces risks related to international conflicts, such as the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, that may adversely impact the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In late February of 2022, Russia initiated a military operation in Ukraine. The Black Sea region is a key international grain and fertilizer export market and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine could continue to disrupt supply and logistics, cause volatility in prices, and impact global margins due to increased commodity, energy, and input costs. The Company currently does not purchase products directly from this region, however, the impact to the global supply could put the Company’s ability to secure product at risk over time.

To the extent the conflict between Russia and Ukraine adversely affects our business, it may also have the effect of heightening other risks disclosed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K, any of which could materially and adversely affect the Company's financial condition and results of operations. However, due to the continually evolving nature of the conflict, the potential impact that the conflict could have on such risk factors, and others that cannot yet be identified, remains uncertain. The Company continues to monitor the conflict and assess alternatives to mitigate these risks.

Inflation, including as a result of commodity price inflation or supply chain constraints due to the war in Ukraine, may adversely impact our results of operations.

We have experienced inflationary impacts on business expenses. Commodity prices in particular have risen significantly over the past year. Inflation and its negative impacts could escalate in future periods.

Ukraine is the third largest exporter of grain in the world. Russia is one of the largest producers of natural gas and oil and is the largest exporter of fertilizers. The commodity price impact of the war in Ukraine has been a sharp and sustained rise in grain and energy prices, including corn and natural gas. In addition, the war in Ukraine has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect global supply chains resulting in further commodity price inflation for our production inputs. Lower fertilizer supplies may also impact future growing seasons, further impacting grain supplies and prices. Also, given high global grain prices, U.S. farmers may prefer to lock in prices and export additional volumes, reducing domestic grain supplies and resulting in further inflationary pressures.

We may not be able to include these additional costs in the prices of the products we sell. As a result, inflation may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The ability or willingness of OPEC and other oil exporting nations to set and maintain production levels and/or the impact of sanctions on Russia related to the war in Ukraine may have a significant impact on natural gas commodity prices.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies (collectively, OPEC+), is an intergovernmental organization that seeks to manage the price and supply of oil on the global energy market. Actions taken by OPEC+ members, including those taken alongside other oil exporting nations, have a significant impact on global oil supply and pricing. For example, OPEC+ and certain other oil exporting nations have previously agreed to take measures, including production cuts, to support crude oil prices. In March 2020, members of OPEC+ considered extending and potentially increasing these oil production cuts, however these negotiations were unsuccessful. As a result, Saudi Arabia announced an immediate reduction in export prices and Russia announced that all previously agreed oil production cuts expired on April 1, 2020. These actions led to an immediate and steep decrease in oil prices. Conversely, sanctions imposed on Russia in the last few months have increased prices. There can be no assurance that OPEC+ members and other oil exporting nations will agree to future production cuts or other actions to support and stabilize oil prices, nor can there be any assurance that sanctions or other global conflicts will not further impact oil prices. Uncertainty regarding future sanctions or actions to be taken by OPEC+ members or other oil exporting countries could lead to increased volatility in the price of oil and natural gas, which could adversely affect our business, future financial condition and results of operations.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

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None.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

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.INS*			XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH*			XBRL Schema Document
101.CAL*			XBRL Calculation Document
101.LAB*			XBRL Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE*			XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF*			XBRL Definition Linkbase Document

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

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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:	May 12, 2023	/s/ Scott Mundt
		Scott Mundt
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

Date:	May 12, 2023	/s/ Robbi Buchholtz
		Robbi Buchholtz
		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)