Table of Contents



UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-K


þANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year endedAugust 31, 20182020
or
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to          .


Commission file number: 001-36079

CHS Inc.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota41-0251095
 (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5500 Cenex Drive
Minnesota
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
41-0251095
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
5500 Cenex Drive
Inver Grove Heights,
Minnesota55077
(Address
 (Address of principal executive office,
offices, including zip code)
(651) 355-6000
(Registrant’s telephone number,
including area code)


SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
(651)355-6000
 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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

Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred StockCHSCPThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1CHSCOThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2CHSCNThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3CHSCMThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 4CHSCLThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(Title of Each Class)(Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered)



SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE


Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES o NO þYes No


Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.
YES o NO þYes No


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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K: þ


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"large accelerated filer,” “accelerated" "accelerated filer,” “smaller" "smaller reporting company," and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filero
Accelerated filero
Non-accelerated filerþ
þ
Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo


If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.o


Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).
YES o NO þYes No


State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter:


The Registrant has no voting or non-voting common equity (the Registrant is a member cooperative).


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


The Registrant has no common stock outstanding.


DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None.






INDEX
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
No.
Page
SIGNATURESSignatures




Table of ContentsContents



EXPLANATORY NOTE

General

On October 22, 2018, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Audit Committee”) of CHS Inc. (the “Company”, "we", "us" or "our"), after considering the recommendations of management, concluded that our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017 (the “2017 Annual Report”), and our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, and May 31, 2018 and 2017, included in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017, February 28, 2018, and May 31, 2018 (the "2018 Quarterly Reports”), should no longer be relied upon due to misstatements that are described in greater detail below, and that we would restate such financial statements to make the necessary accounting corrections.

The Restatement

This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, includes audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, as well as relevant unaudited interim financial information for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2018 and 2017. The consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, selected financial data (Item 6. "Selected Financial Data") for the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, and relevant unaudited interim financial information for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2017, included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been restated.

Restatement Background

As described in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on October 26, 2018, management of the Company noted potentially excessive valuations in the net derivative asset valuations relating to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations during the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018. Following our identification of these potentially excessive valuations, the Company engaged external counsel, which engaged forensic accountants to work with management of the Company under the oversight of the Audit Committee to conduct an investigation.

The investigation concluded that the misstatements in our consolidated financial statements included in the 2017 Annual Report and 2018 Quarterly Reports were due to intentional misconduct by a former employee in our rail freight trading operations, as well as due to freight contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. The misconduct consisted of the former employee manipulating the mark-to-market valuation of rail cars that were the subject of rail freight purchase contracts and manipulating the quantity of rail cars included in the monthly mark-to-market valuation. In addition, the investigation revealed intentional misstatements were made by the former employee to our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. During the course of, and as a result of, the investigation, we terminated the former employee and have taken additional personnel actions.

Based on the findings described above, we performed additional reviews and analysis, re-performed certain accounting procedures, reviewed our accounting policies and restated certain accounting records for fiscal 2018 and prior periods. The Audit Committee, management and the Company's legal counsel reported the findings of the investigation to our Board of Directors and to our independent registered public accounting firm, and have discussed the evidence uncovered and conclusions reached in the investigation with the Staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC.

As a result of the work performed in relation to the freight misstatement, additional misstatements related to the elimination of intercompany balances were also identified and corrected. Although these intercompany misstatements resulted in a material misstatement of certain financial statement line items, the intercompany misstatements did not result in a material misstatement of income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss).

Restatement of Previously Reported Consolidated Financial Information

This Annual Report on Form 10-K restates amounts included in the 2017 Annual Report described above, including the audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016. Selected financial information for fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, and relevant unaudited interim financial information for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2017, have also


Table of Contents


been restated. In addition to the misstatements related to the freight contracts and intercompany eliminations, we made adjustments related to other previously identified misstatements unrelated to the freight derivatives and related misstatements that were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. These other misstatements relate primarily to certain misclassifications, adjustments to revenues and cost of goods sold, and adjustments to various income tax and indirect tax accounts. The following tables present the summary impacts of the restatement adjustments on our previously reported consolidated capital reserves and total equities at August 31, 2015, and income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016:
 August 31, 2015
 Capital Reserves Total Equities
 (Dollars in thousands)
As previously reported$1,604,670
 $7,669,411
   Cumulative restatement adjustments(119,237) (117,972)
As restated$1,485,433
 $7,551,439

 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes - As previously reported$(54,852) $419,878
   Restatement adjustments(55,314) (17,753)
Income (loss) before income taxes - As restated$(110,166) $402,125
    
Net income (loss) - As previously reported$127,223
 $423,969
   Restatement adjustments(56,265) (40,943)
Net income (loss) - As restated$70,958
 $383,026
For more information regarding the restatement and its impact on our consolidated financial statements, refer to the "Selected Financial Data" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections included within Item 6 and Item 7, respectively, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 2, Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 18, Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Compensation Recovery

In connection with the restatement, Mr. Debertin and certain of our other named executive officers and other current senior executives, voluntarily asked our Board of Directors to reduce their award under our fiscal 2018 annual variable pay plan by an amount equal to the incentive compensation received by each such current senior executive under certain incentive compensation plans with respect to prior fiscal years that was in excess of what would have been earned by such current senior executive after taking into account the restatement of our consolidated financial statements. Our Board of Directors accepted such requests and reduced each affected executive’s earned annual variable pay for fiscal 2018 by the amount of that excess. Additionally, each of our current directors who was serving as a director in fiscal 2016 voluntarily returned an amount previously credited to such director’s retirement plan account under our deferred compensation plan in that fiscal year, equal to the excess of what would have been credited to such director’s account after taking into account the restatement of our consolidated financial statements. For more information regarding these compensation recovery actions and recovery actions regarding former executives and directors, refer to the “Annual Variable Pay”, “Compensation Recovery” and “Director Compensation” subsections included in Item 11 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Control Considerations

In connection with the restatement, management has assessed the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures and has included applicable disclosure in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, "Controls and Procedures." Management identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting as described under "Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting" in Item 9A of this Form 10-K, resulting in the conclusion by our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer that our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial


Table of Contents


reporting were not effective at a reasonable assurance level as of August 31, 2018. Management has taken and is taking additional steps, as described under "Remediation Plan and Status" in Item 9A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, to remediate the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting.



Table of Contents


PART I.I


ITEM 1.    BUSINESS


THE COMPANY


CHS Inc. (referred to herein as “CHS,” “we”"CHS," "we," "us" or “us”"our") is the nation’s leading integrated agricultural cooperative, providing grain, foods and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global basis. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers and ranchers and their member cooperatives (referred to herein as “members”"members") across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders that own shares of our five series of preferred stock, which are each listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("The Nasdaq"). We buy commodities from and provide products and services to individual agricultural producers, local cooperatives and other companies (including our members and other non-membernonmember customers), both domestically and internationally. We provide a wide variety of products and services, ranging from initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrients and crop protection products to agricultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, grainprocessed grains and oilseed processing,oilseeds, renewable fuels and food products. A portion of our operations are conducted through equity investments and joint ventures whose operating results are not fully consolidated with our results; rather, a proportionate share of the income or loss from those equity investments and joint ventures is included as a component of our net income using the equity method of accounting. For the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, our total revenues were $32.7$28.4 billion and net income attributable to CHS Inc. was $775.9$422.4 million.


We have aligned our segments based on an assessment of how our businesses operate and the products and services they sell. Our Energy segment derives its revenues through refining, wholesaling and retailing of petroleum products. Our Ag segment derives its revenues through the origination and marketing of grain, including:including service activities conducted at export terminals; through wholesale agronomy sales of crop nutrients;nutrient and crop protection products; from sales of soybean meal, soybean refined oil and soyflour products; through the production and marketing of renewable fuels; and through retail sales of petroleum and agronomy products, processed sunflowers, feed and farm supplies. Our Ag segment also records equity income from our grain export joint venture and other investments. Our Nitrogen Production segment consists solely of our equity method investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC (“("CF Nitrogen”Nitrogen"). Our other business operations, primarily our financing and hedging businesses, are included in Corporate and Other because of the nature of their products and services, as well as the relative amount of revenues forfrom those businesses. Prior to its sale on May 4, 2018, our insurance business was also included in Corporate and Other. In addition, our non-consolidatednonconsolidated wheat milling and food production and distribution joint ventures are included in Corporate and Other.


Our earnings from cooperative business are allocated to members (and to a limited extent to non-membersnonmembers with which we have agreed to do business on a patronage basis) based on the volume of business they do with us. We allocate these earnings to our patrons in the form of patronage refunds (which are also called patronage dividends), which may be in cash, patrons’ equities (in the form of capital equity certificates), or both. Patrons' equities may be redeemed over time solely at the discretion of our Board of Directors. Earnings derived from non-members,nonmembers, which are not treated as patronage, are taxed at federal and state statutory corporate rates and are retained by us as unallocated capital reserves. We also receive patronage refunds from the cooperatives in which we are a member, if those cooperatives have earnings to distribute and if we qualify for patronage refunds from them.


Our origins date back to the early 1930s with the founding of our predecessor companies, Cenex, Inc. and Harvest States Cooperatives. CHS Inc. emerged as the result of the merger of those two entities in 1998 and is headquartered in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota.


Our internet address is www.chsinc.com. The information contained on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated in, this Annual Report on Form 10-K or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.



1

Table of ContentsContents



ENERGY
Overview


We are the nation’snation's largest cooperative energy company based on revenues and identifiable assets, with operations that include:include petroleum refining and pipelines; the supply, marketing and distribution of refined fuels (gasoline, diesel fuel and other energy products); the blending, sale and distribution of lubricants; and the wholesale supply of propane and other natural gas liquids. Our Energy segment processes crude oil into refined petroleum products at our refineries in Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, and sells those products under the Cenex®Cenex® brand to member cooperatives and other independent retailers through a network of nearly 1,500 sites, the majority of which are convenience stores marketing Cenex®Cenex branded fuels.fuels and owned by our member cooperatives. For fiscal 2018,2020, our Energy revenues, after elimination of intersegment revenues, were $7.6$5.4 billion and were primarily from gasoline, diesel fuel and diesel fuel.propane.


Operations


Laurel Refinery.  refinery. Our Laurel, Montana, refinery processes mediummedium- and high sulfurhigh-sulfur crude oil into refined petroleum products that primarily include gasoline, diesel fuel, asphalt and petroleum coke and asphalt.coke. Our Laurel Montana refinery sources approximately 93%95% of its crude oil supply from Canada, with the remaining balance obtained from domestic sources, and we have access to Canadian and northwest Montana crude oil through our wholly-owned Front Range Pipeline, LLC, and other common carrier pipelines. Our Laurel Montana refinery also has access to Wyoming crude oil via common carrier pipelines from the south.


Our Laurel Montana facilityrefinery processes approximately 59,00055,500 barrels of crude oil per day to produce refined products that consist of approximately 43%42% gasoline, 41%40% diesel fuel and other distillates, 8%10% asphalt, 7% petroleum coke and 1% other products. Refined fuels produced at our Laurel Montana refinery are available:available via rail cars and via the Yellowstone Pipeline to western Montana terminals and to Spokane, Washington; south via common carrier pipelines to Wyoming terminals and Denver, Colorado; and east via our wholly-owned Cenex Pipeline, LLC, to Glendive, Montana, and Minot, Prosper and Fargo, North Dakota.


McPherson Refinery.  refinery.Our McPherson, Kansas, refinery processes approximately 59% low64% low- and medium sulfurmedium-sulfur crude oil and approximately 41% heavy sulfur36% heavy-sulfur crude oil into gasoline, diesel fuel and other distillates, propane and other products. The refinery sources its crude oil through its own pipelines, as well as common carrier pipelines. The lowLow- and medium sulfurmedium-sulfur crude oil is sourced from Kansas, Colorado, North Dakota, Oklahoma and Texas, and the heavy sulfurheavy-sulfur crude oil is sourced from Canada and Wyoming.


Our McPherson Kansas refinery processes approximately 100,000110,000 barrels of crude oil per day to produce refined products that consist of approximately 56%53% gasoline, 38%41% diesel fuel and other distillates, 2% propane and 4% other products. These products are either loaded into trucks at the McPherson Kansas refinery or shipped via common carrier pipelines to other markets.


Other Energy Operationsenergy operations. We ownoperate six propane terminals, four asphalt terminals, seven refined product terminals and three lubricants blending and packaging facilities. We also own and lease a fleet of liquid and pressure trailers and tractors, which are used to transport refined fuels, propane, anhydrous ammonia and other products.


Products and Services


Our Energy segment produces and sells (primarily wholesale) gasoline, diesel fuel, propane, asphalt, lubricants and other related products, and also provides transportation services. In addition to selling the products refined at our Laurel Montana, and McPherson Kansas refineries, we purchase refined petroleum products from third parties. For fiscal 2018,2020, we obtained approximately 70%76% of the refined petroleum products we sold from our Laurel Montana and McPherson Kansas refineries and approximately 30%24% from third parties.


Sales and Marketing; Customers


We market approximately 80% of our refined fuel products to members, with the balance sold to non-members.nonmembers. Sales are made wholesale to member cooperatives and through a network of independent retailers that operate convenience stores under the Cenex® trade name.Cenex brand. We sold approximately 1.51.4 billion gallons of gasoline and approximately 1.7 billion gallons of diesel fuel in fiscal 2018.2020. We also blend, package and wholesale auto and farm machinery lubricants to both members and non-

2

Table of Contents


members.nonmembers. We are one of the nation’snation's largest propane wholesalers based on revenues. Most of the propane sold in rural areas is for heating and agricultural usage. Annual sales volumes of propane vary greatly depending on weather patterns and crop conditions.


2

Table of Contents

Industry; Competition


The petroleum business is highly cyclical. Demand for crude oil and energy products is driven by the condition of local and worldwide economies, local and regional weather patterns and taxation relative to other energy sources, which can significantly affect the price of refined fuel products. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined products in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usage by our agricultural customers is highest and is subject to domestic supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, maygenerally experience higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and crop dryingcrop-drying seasons. More fuel-efficient equipment, reduced crop tillage, depressed prices for crops, weather conditions and government programs whichthat encourage idle acres may all reduce demand for our energy products.


Regulation. Governmental regulations and policies, particularly in the areas of taxation, energy and the environment, have a significant impact on our Energy segment. Our Energy segment’s operations are subject to laws and related regulations and rules designed to protect the environment that are administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (the “EPA”("EPA"), the Department of Transportation (the “DOT”("DOT"), the U.S. Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and similar government agencies. These laws, regulations and rules govern: thegovern, among other things, discharge of materials into the environment, including air and water; reporting storage of hazardous wastes and other hazardous materials; the transportation, handling and disposal of wastes and other materials; the labeling of pesticides and similar substances; and investigation and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and rules could subject us to administrative penalties, injunctive relief, civil remedies and possible recalls of products. Our hedging transactions and activities are subject to the rules and regulations of the exchanges we use includingand governing bodies, such as the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (the “CME”("CME"), as well asthe New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") and the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the “CFTC”("CFTC").


Competition. The petroleum refining and wholesale fuels business is very competitive. Among our competitors are some of the world’s largest integrated petroleum companies, which have their own crude oil supplies and distribution and marketing systems. We also compete with smaller domestic refiners and marketers in the midwestern and northwestern United States, with foreign refiners who import products into the United States and with producers and marketers in other industries supplying other forms of energy and fuels to consumers. Given the commodity nature of the end products, profitability in the industry depends largely on margins, as well as operating efficiency, product mix and costs of product distribution and transportation. The retail gasoline market is highly competitive, with competitors that are much larger than us and that have greater brand recognition and distribution outlets throughout the country and the world than we do. We are also experiencing increased competition from regional and unbranded retailers. Our owned and non-ownednonowned retail outlets are located primarily in the northwestern, midwestern and southern United States.


We market refined fuel products in five principal geographic areas. The first area includes the Midwest and northern plains.Northern Plains. Competition at the wholesale level in this area includes major oil companies, as well as independent refiners and wholesale brokers/suppliers. This area has a robust spot market and is influenced by the large refinery center along the gulf coast.Gulf Coast.


To the east of the Midwest and northern plainsNorthern Plains is another unique marketing area. This area centers near Chicago, Illinois, and includes eastern Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. In this area, we principally compete with the major oil companies, as well as independent refineriesrefiners and wholesale brokers/suppliers.


Another market area includes Arkansas, Missouri and the northern part of Texas. Competition in this area includes the major oil companies and independent refiners. This area is principally supplied from the Gulf Coast refinery center and is also driven by a strong spot market that reacts quickly to changes in the international and national supply balance.


Another geographic area includes Montana, western North Dakota, Wyoming, Utah, Idaho, Colorado and western South Dakota. Competition at the wholesale level in this area includes the major oil companies and independent refineries.refiners.


The last area includes much of Washington and Oregon. We compete with the major oil companies in this area. This area is known for volatile prices and an active spot market.



3

Table of ContentsContents



AG

Overview


Our Ag segment includes our global grain marketing, country operations, crop nutrients,wholesale agronomy, processing and food ingredients and renewable fuels businesses. These businesses work together to facilitate the production, purchase, sale and eventual use of grain and other agricultural products within the United States, as well as internationally. In fiscal 2018,2020, revenues in our Ag segment were $25.1$22.9 billion after elimination of intersegment revenues, consisting principally of grain sales.


Operations


Grain Marketing. Global grain marketing. We are the nation’s largest cooperative marketer of grain and oilseed based on grain storage capacity and grain sales. Our global grain marketing operations purchase grain directly from agricultural producers and elevator operators primarily in the midwestern and western United States and indirectly through our country operations business. The purchased grain is typically contracted for sale for future delivery at a specified location, and we are responsible for handling the grain and either arranging for or facilitation offacilitating its transportation to that location. We own and operate export terminals, river terminals and elevators throughout the United States to handle and transport grain and grain products. We also maintain locations in Europe, the Middle East, the Pacific Rim and South America for the marketing, merchandising andand/or sourcing of grains and crop nutrients. We primarily conduct our global grain marketing operations directly, but do conduct some of our operations through joint ventures, including TEMCO, LLC, ("TEMCO"), a 50% owned joint venture with Cargill, Incorporated ("Cargill"), focused on exports, primarily to Asia.


Country Operations.operations. Our country operations business operates 466487 agri-operations locations through 4442 business units dispersed throughout the midwestern and western United States. Most of these locations purchase grain from farmers and sell agronomy, energy, feed and seed products to those same producers and others, although not all locations provide every product and service. We also manufacture animal feed through eight owned plants and four limited liability companiescompanies.

Wholesale agronomy. Our wholesale agronomy business includes our wholesale crop nutrients and process sunflowers for human food and other uses.

Crop Nutrients.wholesale crop protection businesses. Our wholesale crop nutrients business delivers products directly to our customers and our country operations business from the manufacturer or through our 18 inland and river17 warehouse terminals and other non-ownednonowned storage facilities located throughout the United States. To supplement what is purchased domestically, our Galveston, Texas, deep waterdeep-water port and terminal receives fertilizer by vessel from origins such as Asia and the Caribbean basinBasin where significant volumes of urea are produced. The fertilizer is then shipped by rail to destinations within crop producingcrop-producing regions of the United States. Our wholesale crop protection business operates out of our network of 29 warehouses from which we deliver products directly to our member cooperatives and independent retailers. We also operate a bulk chemical rail terminal in Brooten, Minnesota, where we handle and store bulk crop protection products for some of the crop protection industry’s largest chemical manufacturers. This facility has approximately 6 million gallons of chemical storage capacity.


Processing and Food Ingredients. food ingredients. Our processing and food ingredients operations are conducted at facilities that can crush approximately 120115 million bushels of oilseeds on an annual basis, producing approximately 2.72.6 million short tons of meal/flour and 1.51.6 billion pounds of edible oil annually. We purchase our oilseeds from members, other CHS businesses and third parties that have tightly integrated connections with our global grain marketing operations and country operations business. 


Renewable Fuels. fuels. Our renewable fuels business produces 265257 million gallons of fuel gradefuel-grade ethanol, 60 million pounds of inedible corn oil and 685636 thousand tons of dried distillers grains with solubles (“DDGS”("DDGS") annually. We also market over 590Renewable fuels produced by our production plants are marketed by our global grain marketing business, along with more than 450 million gallons of ethanol and 4.53 million tons of DDGS annually under marketing agreements for otherwith ethanol production plants.


Products and Services


Our Ag segment provides local cooperatives and farmers with the inputs and services they need to produce grain and raise livestock. These include seed, crop nutrients, crop protection products, animal feed, animal health products, refined fuels and propane. We also buy and merchandise grain in both domestic and international markets. With a portion of the grain we purchase, we produce renewable fuels, including ethanol and DDGS. We also produce refined oils, meal and soyflour at our processing facilities.


4

Table of Contents

Sales and Marketing; Customers


Our Ag segment provides products and services to a wide range of customers, primarily in the United States. These customers include member and non-membernonmember producers, local cooperatives, elevators, grain dealers, grain processors and crop nutrient retailers. We sell our edible oils and soyflour to food companies. The meal we produce is sold to integrated livestock producers and feed mills. The ethanol and DDGS we produce are sold throughout the United States and to various international locations.customers.

4

Table of Contents




Industry; Competition


Many of the business activities in our Ag segment are highly seasonal and, consequently, the operating results for our Ag segment will typically vary throughout the year. For example, our country operations business generally experiences higher volumes and crop nutrients businessesincome during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons and our agronomy business generally experienceexperiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and in the fall, which corresponds to harvest.season. In addition, our Ag segment operations may be adversely affected by relative levels of supply and demand, both domestic and international, commodity price levels and transportation costs and conditions. Supply is affected by weather conditions, plant disease, insect damage, acreage planted and government regulations and policies. Demand may be affected by foreign governments and their programs, relationships of foreign countries with the United States, the affluence of foreign countries, acts of war, currency exchange fluctuations and substitution of commodities. Demand may also be affected by changes in eating habits, population growth, the level of per capita consumption of some products and the level of renewable fuels production.production levels.


Regulation. Our Ag operations are subject to laws and related regulations and rules designed to protect the environment that areis administered by the EPA, the DOT and similar government agencies. These laws, regulations and rules govern: thegovern, among other things, discharge of materials into the environment, including air and water; reporting storage of hazardous wastes and other hazardous materials; the transportation, handling and disposal of wastes and other materials; the labeling of pesticides and similar substances; and the investigation and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. In addition, environmental laws impose a liability on owners and operators for investigation and remediation of contaminated property and on a party who sends hazardous materials to those contaminated properties for treatment, storage, disposal or recycling. In some instances, that liability exists regardless of fault. Our global grain marketing operations, country operations business, processing and food ingredient operations and renewable fuel operations are also subject to laws and related regulations and rules administered by the United StatesU.S. Department of Agriculture, (the ”USDA”), the United StatesU.S. Food and Drug Administration (the “FDA”) and other federal, state, local and foreign governmental agencies that govern the processing, packaging, storage, distribution, advertising, labeling, quality and safety of feed and grain products. Failure to comply with these laws, regulations and rules could subject us to administrative penalties, injunctive relief, civil remedies and possible recalls of products. The hedging transactions and activities of our global grain marketing, country operations, processing and food ingredient and renewable fuels businesses are subject to the rules and regulations of the exchanges we use includingand governing bodies, such as the CME, as well asthe Chicago Board of Trade ("CBOT"), the Minneapolis Grain Exchange ("MGEX") and the CFTC.


Competition. In our Ag segment, we have significant competition in the businesses in which we operate based principally on price, services, quality, patronage and alternative products. Our businesses are dependent upondepend on relationships with local cooperatives and private retailers, proximity to the customers and producers, competitive pricing and competitive pricing.safety of food, feed and grain products. We compete with other large distributors of agricultural products, as well as other regional or local distributors, local cooperatives, retailers and manufacturers.

NITROGEN PRODUCTION

Overview
    
Our Nitrogen Production segment consists solely of our approximate 10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen, our strategic venture with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. ("CF Industries"). In February 2016, in connection with our investment in CF Nitrogen, we entered into an 80-yeara supply agreement with CF Nitrogen that entitles us to purchase up to 1.1 million tons of granular urea and 580,000 tons of urea ammonium nitrate (“UAN”("UAN") annually for ratable delivery.delivery through fiscal 2096. We account for our CF Nitrogen investment using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method and on August 31, 2018,2020, our investment was approximately $2.7 billion. See Note 6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.


Our investment in CF Nitrogen positions us and our members for long-term dependable fertilizer supply, supply chain efficiency and production economics. In addition, the ability to source product from CF Nitrogen production facilities under our supply agreement benefits our members and customers through strategically positioned access to essential fertilizer products.


5

Table of Contents

Operations


CF Nitrogen has four production facilities located in:in Donaldsonville, Louisiana; Port Neal, Iowa; Yazoo City, Mississippi; and Woodward, Oklahoma. Natural gas is the principal raw material and primary fuel source used in the ammonia production process. CF Nitrogen has access to competitively-pricedcompetitively priced natural gas through a reliable network of pipelines that are connected to major natural gas trading hubs near its production facilities.

5

Table of Contents




Products and Services


CF Nitrogen produces nitrogen-based products, including methanol, UAN, and urea and related products.


Sales and Marketing; Customers


CF Nitrogen has three customers, including CHS and two consolidated subsidiaries of CF Industries.


Industry; Competition


Regulation. CF Nitrogen is subject to laws and related regulations and rules designed to protect the environment that are administered by the EPA and similar government agencies. These laws, regulations and rules govern: thegovern, among other things, discharge of materials into the environment, including air and water; reporting storage of hazardous wastes and other hazardous materials; the handling and disposal of wastes and other materials; and the investigation and remediation of releases of hazardous materials. In addition, environmental laws impose a liability on owners and operators for investigation and remediation of contaminated property and on a party whothat sends hazardous materials to those contaminated properties for treatment, storage, disposal or recycling. In some instances, that liability exists regardless of fault.


Competition. CF Nitrogen competes primarily on delivered price and, to a lesser extent, on customer service and product quality. CF Nitrogen competes domestically with a variety of large companies in the fertilizer industry. There is also significant competition from products sourced from other regions of the world.


CORPORATE AND OTHER


CHS Capital. Our wholly-owned finance companyfinancing subsidiary, CHS Capital, LLC (“("CHS Capital”Capital"), provides cooperative associationslocal cooperatives with a variety of loans that meet commercial agriculture needs. These loans include operating, term, revolving and other shortshort- and long-term options. CHS Capital also provides loans to individual producers for crop inputs, feed and hedging-related margin calls. Specific to producer financing, during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 it was determined CHS Capital would no longer make new term loans to producers. However, producer term loans written prior to this decision may still be outstanding. Subsequently, it was also determined CHS Capital would change its offerings on producerProducer operating loans to be marketed onlyare also offered in strategic geographic regions.


CHS Hedging. Our wholly-owned commodity brokerage subsidiary, CHS Hedging, LLC (“("CHS Hedging”Hedging"), is a registered, Futures Commission MerchantCFTC-regulated futures commission merchant ("FCM") and a clearing member of both the Chicago Board of TradeCBOT, CME, NYMEX and the Minneapolis Grain Exchange.MGEX. CHS Hedging provides limited consulting services and commodity risk management services primarily to agricultural producers and commercial agribusinesses in the areasgrains, oilseeds, fertilizer, livestock, dairy and energy markets. CHS Hedging is also the FCM for the majority of agriculture and energy.our commodity futures trading.


CHS Insurance.  Our wholly-owned subsidiary, CHS Insurance Services, LLC (“CHS Insurance”), was sold in May 2018. CHS Insurance was a full-service independent agency that offered property and casualty insurance, surety bonds, safety resources, employment services and group benefits.

Wheat Milling

milling. Ardent Mills, LLC (“("Ardent Mills”Mills"), the largest flour miller in the United States, was formed asis a joint venture with CHS, Cargill and ConAgra Foods,Conagra Brands, Inc., which combined the North American flour milling operations of its three parent companies, including assets from our existing joint venture milling operations Horizon Milling, LLC and Horizon Milling, ULC and CHS-owned mills. ("Conagra"). In connection with the formation of Ardent Mills the joint venture, parties also entered intoCHS, Cargill and Conagra have various ancillary and non-competenoncompete agreements including, among other things, an agreement for us to supply Ardent Mills with certain wheat and durum products. We hold a 12% interest in Ardent Mills and account for our investment as an equity method investment due to our ability to exercise significant influence through our ability to appoint a member of the Board of Shareholders and Board of Managers.Managers of Ardent Mills. On August 31, 2018,2020, our investment in Ardent Mills was $205.9$208.9 million. See Note 6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.



6

Table of Contents


Foods

Foods. Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), is a joint venture between CHS and Wilsey Foods, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of MBK USA Holdings, Inc., with each parent company owning a 50% interest.interests. Ventura Foods produces vegetable oil-based products, such as packaged frying oils, margarine, mayonnaise,margarines, mayonnaises, sauces, salad dressings and other food products, and currently has 16 manufacturing and distribution locations across the United States and Canada. Ventura Foods sources its raw materials, which consist primarily of soybean oil, canola oil, palm/coconut oil, peanut oil and other ingredients and supplies, from various domestic and overseas suppliers, including our oilseed processing operations. We account for our investment in Ventura Foods using the equity method of accounting and, on August 31, 2018,2020, our investment was $360.2$381.4 million. See Note 6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

6


Table of Contents

EMPLOYEES


On August 31, 2018,2020, we had 10,495 full,10,493 full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees. Of that total, 2,5342,439 were employed in our Energy segment, 7,3177,211 were employed in our Ag segment and 644843 were employed in Corporate and Other. In addition to those individuals directly employed by us, many individuals work for our joint ventures, in which we have a 50% or less ownership interest, including employees of CF Nitrogen and Ventura Foods in our Nitrogen Production segment and Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills in our Corporate and Other category, respectively, and are not included in these totals.


Labor Relations
As of August 31, 2018,2020, we had 1112 collective bargaining agreements with unions covering approximately 9.0%8% of our employees in the United States. These collective bargaining agreementsStates, which expire on various dates through July 1, 2022, except that one collective bargaining agreement covering 20 pipeline employees renews automatically every September 1, unless 60 days’ notice of termination is given.May 31, 2024.


CHS AUTHORIZED CAPITAL


We are an agricultural membership cooperative organized under Minnesota cooperative law to do business with member and non-membernonmember patrons.


7

Table of Contents


ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS


CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS
OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995


This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains and our other publicly available documents may contain, and our officers, directors and other representatives may from time to time make, “forward-looking statements”"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “goal,” “seek,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “expect,” “strategy,” “future,” “likely,” “may,” “should,” “will”"anticipate," "intend," "plan," "goal," "seek," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "strategy," "future," "likely," "may," "should," "will" and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our businesses, financial condition and results of operations, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results and financial condition may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements are discussed or identified in our public filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including in this “Risk Factors”"Risk Factors" discussion. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based only on information currently available to us and speak only as of the date on which the statement is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.


Reference to this ("Cautionary StatementStatement") in the context of a forward-looking statement shall be deemed to be a statement that any one or more of the following factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statement.


The following risk factors are in addition to any other cautionary statements, written or oral, which may be made or referred to in connection with any particular forward-looking statement. The following risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.


We have identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting. If these material weaknesses persist or if we failRisks Related to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately report our results could be adversely affected.Operating Our Business

Maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting is necessary for us to produce reliable financial statements. We have concluded that material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting exist, and consequently our Board of Directors determined that management’s report on internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2017, included in our Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the years then ended, should no longer be relied upon. In connection with these material weaknesses, we have restated our financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, each of the quarters of fiscal 2017 and for the first three quarters of fiscal 2018. These material weaknesses are discussed further within Item 9A, Controls and Procedures, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The existence of one or more material weaknesses precludes a conclusion by management that a corporation’s internal control over financial reporting is effective.

In response to the identified material weaknesses, our management, with the oversight of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, has dedicated significant resources, including the involvement of outside advisors, and efforts to improve our internal control over financial reporting and has taken immediate action to remediate the material weaknesses identified. Certain remedial actions have been completed, including the termination of the employee who engaged in the misconduct, and the termination, reassignment and discipline of other employees who were determined to have responsibility for the above-described misstatements relating to our freight trading operations in our Grain Marketing business unit. We continue to actively plan for and implement additional control procedures, including (i) instituting additional training programs for our finance, accounting, operations, IT and other necessary personnel; (ii) evaluating the quality of and sufficiency of our finance, accounting and other internal control personnel and resources; (iii) establishing the appropriate roles and responsibilities within our organization to improve our knowledge and expertise over internal control over financial reporting; (iv) implementing IT project testing oversight and management; and (v) evaluating the manual and automated IT control environment surrounding critical enterprise resource planning systems, including the new ERP system.


8

Table of Contents


If we fail to remediate these material weaknesses or fail to otherwise maintain effective control over financial reporting in the future, it could result in a material misstatement of our financial statements that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our management and Board of Directors continue to devote significant time and attention to remediating these material weaknesses and improving our internal control over financial reporting, and we expect to continue to incur costs associated with remediating the material weaknesses in internal controls over financial reporting and implementing appropriate processes, which could include fees for additional audit, legal and consulting services, which could negatively affect our financial condition and operating results.

The consequences of our investigation with respect to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations could have a material adverse effect on our business and could subject us to regulatory scrutiny.
As part of our preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our management noted potentially excessive valuations in the net derivative asset valuations relating to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations. Following the identification of these potentially excessive valuations, we engaged external counsel, which engaged forensic accountants to work with our management, under the oversight of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, to conduct an investigation. The investigation concluded that there were misstatements in the consolidated financial statements included in certain of our filings with the SEC that were due to intentional misconduct by a former employee in our rail freight trading operations, as well as due to rail freight contracts and certain non-rail freight contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. The misconduct consisted of the former employee manipulating the mark-to-market valuation of rail cars that were the subject of rail freight purchase contracts and manipulating the quantity of rail cars included in the monthly mark-to-market valuation. In addition, the investigation revealed intentional misstatements that were made by the former employee to our external auditor in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2017. During the course of, and as a result of, the investigation, we terminated the former employee. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and the Company's legal counsel reported the findings of the investigation to our Board of Directors and to our independent registered public accounting firm and have discussed the evidence uncovered and conclusions reached in the investigation with the Staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC. Although we are not aware that any formal investigation or inquiry has been commenced, we are cooperating, and will continue to fully cooperate with, the Staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC in any review it may conduct into these matters. We are unable at this time to predict when the SEC Division of Enforcement’s review of these matters will be completed or what regulatory or other outcomes may result. If the SEC or any other governmental authority determines that violations of certain laws or regulations occurred, then we could be exposed to a broad range of civil and criminal sanctions. Although we are currently unable to predict what actions the SEC or any other governmental authority might take, or what the likely outcome of any such actions might be, or estimate the range of reasonably possible fines or penalties, such actions, fines and/or penalties could be material, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Even if an inquiry or investigation does not result in an adverse determination, our business, prospects, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could still be adversely impacted. In addition, the expenses incurred in connection with any investigation by the SEC or any other governmental authority, and the diversion of the attention of our management that could occur as a result thereof, could adversely affect, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


Our revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected by changes in commodity prices.


Our revenues, results of operations and cash flows are affected by market prices for commodities such as crude oil, natural gas, ethanol, fertilizer, grain, oilseed, flour, and crude and refined vegetable oils. Commodity prices generally are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather, plant disease, insect damage, drought, the availability and adequacy of supply, availability of a reliable rail and river transportation network, outbreaks of disease, government regulation and policies, global trade disputes, and general political and economic conditions. We are also exposed to fluctuating
7

Table of Contents

commodity prices as the result of our inventories of commodities, typically grain, fertilizer and petroleum products, and purchase and sale contracts at fixed or partially fixed prices. At any time, our inventory levels and unfulfilled fixed or partially fixed price contract obligations may be substantial. We have processes in place to monitor exposures to these risks and engage in strategies, such as hedging, to manage these risks. If these controls and strategies are not successful in mitigating our exposure to these fluctuations, we could be materially and adversely affected. IncreasesChanges in market prices for commodities that we purchase without a corresponding increasechange in the priceselling prices of ourthose products or our sales volume or a decrease in our other operating expenses could reduce ourcan affect revenues and net income.operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings.


9

Table of Contents



For example, in our energy operations, profitability depends largely on the margin between the cost of crude oil that we refine and the selling prices that we obtain for our refined products. The prices for both crude oil and for gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products fluctuate widely. Factors influencing these prices, many of which are beyond our control, include:


levels of worldwide and domestic supplies;


capacities of domestic and foreign refineries;


the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”)and other countries that are significant producers of oil to agree to and maintain oil price and production controls, and the price and level of imports;


disruption in supply;


political instability or armed conflict in oil-producing regions;


the level of demand from consumers, agricultural producers and other customers;


the price and availability of alternative fuels;


the availability of pipeline capacity; and


domestic and foreign governmental regulations and taxes.


    Many of these factors resulted in significant volatility in crude oil, refined petroleum products and natural gas supplies and prices during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic prior to August 31, 2020. Additional volatility is expected to occur during the remainder of the pandemic and that volatility may be significant. The long-term effects of thesethis volatility and other conditions on the prices of crude oil, and refined petroleum products and natural gas are uncertain and ever-changing. Increases in crude oil prices without a corresponding increase in the prices of our refined petroleum products, and decreases in crude oil prices with larger corresponding decreases in the prices of our refined petroleum products, would reduce our net income. Accordingly, we expect our margins on, and the profitability of our energy business to fluctuate, possibly significantly, over time.

Government policies, mandates, regulations and trade agreements could adversely affect our operations and profitability. 

Our business is subject to numerous government policies, mandates and regulations that could have an adverse effect on our operations or profitability. For example, government policies, mandates and regulations related to genetically modified organisms, traceability standards, product safety and labeling and renewable and low carbon fuels could have an adverse effect on our operations or profitability by, among other things, influencing the planting of certain crops, the location and size of crop production, the trade of processed and unprocessed commodity products, the volumes and types of imports and exports, the availability and competitiveness of feedstocks as raw materials and the viability and volume of certain of our products. In our Energy segment, government policies, mandates and regulations designed to stop or impede the development or production of oil, such as those limiting or banning the use of hydraulic fracturing or drilling, could also adversely affect our operations and profitability.

In addition, changes in international trade agreements and trade disputes can adversely affect commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. The U.S. government has imposed tariffs on certain products imported into the United States, which has resulted in reciprocal tariffs from other countries, including countries where we operate, like China. It is unclear what changes, if any, will be made to international trade agreements that are relevant to our business activities. These actions have created uncertainty between the United States and other nations, including countries where we operate. Changes in trade policy, withdrawals from or material modifications to relevant international trade agreements and continued uncertainty could depress economic activity and restrict our access to suppliers and customers. Tariffs and trade restrictions that are implemented on products that we buy and sell could increase the cost of those products or adversely affect the availability of market access. These cost increases and market changes could adversely affect the demand for our products and reduce margins, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and our earnings. In addition, the U.S. government can prevent or restrict us from doing business in or with other countries. These restrictions, and those of other governments, could limit our ability to gain access to business opportunities in various countries.

10

Table of Contents



We are subject to political, economic, legal and other risks of doing business globally. 


We are a global business and are exposed to risks associated with having global operations. These risks include, but are not limited to, risks relating to terrorism, war, civil unrest, changes in a country’scountry's or region’sregion's social, economic or political conditions, changes in local labor conditions and regulations, changes in safety and environmental regulations, changes in regulatory or legal environments, generally, restrictions on currency exchange activities, currency exchange fluctuations, price controls on commodities, taxes, doing business in countries or regions with inadequate infrastructure and taxes.logistics challenges. In particular, some countries where we operate lack well-developed legal systems or have not adopted clear legal and regulatory frameworks. This lack of legal certainty exposes our operations to increased risks, including increased difficulty in enforcing our agreements in those jurisdictions and increased risksrisk of adverse actions by local government authorities, such as unilateral or forced renegotiation, modification or nullification of existing agreements or expropriations.


DemandOur business and operations and demand for our products is subject toare highly dependent on certain global and regional factors that are outside of our control and that could adversely impact our business.


The level of demand for our products is affected by global and regional demographics and macroeconomic conditions, including population growth rates and changes in standards of living. A significant downturn in global economic growth or recessionary conditions in major geographic regions, including what have been experienced as a result of the COVID-19
8

Table of Contents

pandemic, may lead to a reduced demand for agricultural commodities,our products and services, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects. Additionally, weakWeak global economic conditions and adverse conditions in financial and capital markets may adversely impact the financial condition and liquidity of some of our customers, suppliers and other counterparties, which could have a material adverse effect on our customers' ability to pay for our products and on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.


    Additionally, planted acreage and consequently the volume of fertilizer and crop protection products applied, is partially dependent on government programs, grain prices and the perception held by producers of demand for production, all of which are outside our control. Moreover, our business and operations may be affected by weather conditions, including those due to climate change, that are outside our control. For example:

Weather conditions during the spring planting season and early summer crop nutrient and crop protection application season affect agronomy product volumes and profitability.

Adverse weather conditions, such as heavy snow or rainfall and any flooding as a result thereof, may cause transportation delays and increased transportation costs, or damage physical assets, especially facilities in low-lying areas near coasts and river banks or situated in hurricane-prone and rain-susceptible regions.

Changes in weather patterns may shift periods of demand for products or regions in which our products are produced or distributed, which could require us to evolve our procurement and distribution processes.

Significant changes in water levels (up or down, as a result of flooding, drought or otherwise) may cause changes in agricultural activity, which could require changes to our operating and distribution activities, as well as significant capital improvements to our facilities.

Climate change may cause changes in weather patterns and conditions, including changes in rainfall and storm patterns and intensities, water shortages, changes in sea levels and changes in temperature levels, all of which could adversely impact our costs and business operations, the location, cost and competitiveness of commodity agricultural production, related storage and processing facilities, or demand for agricultural commodities. These effects could significantly reduce demand for the products we sell to or buy from agricultural producers and local cooperatives, and therefore could adversely impact our results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.

We may experience increased insurance premiums and deductibles, or decreases in available coverage, for our assets in areas subject to adverse weather conditions.

    Emerging sustainability and other environmental priorities outside our control could also affect agricultural practices and future demand for agronomy products applied to crops and the volume of any such application. Accordingly, factors outside our control could materially and adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

Our business and operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak or other similar outbreaks.
    Outbreaks of contagious diseases, including the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic, and other adverse public health developments in countries and states where we operate, have had and are expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. These effects include a potential negative impact on the availability of our key personnel; temporary closures of our facilities or facilities of our members, business partners, customers, suppliers, third-party service providers or other vendors; and interruption of domestic and global supply chains, distribution channels, liquidity and capital or financial markets. In particular, we are actively monitoring COVID-19 impacts on our supply chain and distribution channels. Restrictions on or disruptions of transportation, port closures or increased border controls or closures, or other impacts on domestic and global supply chains or distribution channels, could increase our costs for raw materials and commodity costs, increase demand for raw materials and commodities from competing purchasers, limit our ability to meet customer demand or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operation or cash flows. In addition, we have taken and will continue to take temporary precautionary measures intended to help minimize the risk of COVID-19 to our employees, including requiring administrative and other groups of our employees to work remotely, suspending nonessential travel and restricting attendance at industry events and in-person work-related meetings, which could negatively affect our business. Some of these precautionary measures, and similar precautionary measures that we may take in the future, may result in additional costs. Further, COVID-19 has resulted in a widespread health crisis that has affected and is expected to continue to adversely affect the economies and financial markets of many countries and most areas of the United States, which may affect our ability to obtain additional financing for our businesses and demand
9

Table of Contents

for our products and services, such as the declines in demand experienced during the third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year 2020 by our refined fuels, renewable fuels, and processing and food ingredients businesses and Ventura Foods. The declines in demand experienced by our refined fuels, renewable fuels, and processing and food ingredients businesses and Ventura Foods have and may continue to have an adverse effect on our business and our financial results. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic may also exacerbate the other risks discussed in this Item 1A, any of which could have a material effect on us. The extent to which COVID-19 will impact our business and our financial results in the future will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted. Such developments may include the ongoing spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the extent of any reoccurrence of the coronavirus or any evolutions or mutations thereof, the development of vaccines or therapeutic treatments that can restore consumer and business economic confidence, and the type and duration of actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the outbreak and the impact on the U.S. and the global economy, including whether the agricultural industry continues to be designated an essential infrastructure industry and may continue to operate if future lockdowns occur. As a result, at the time of this filing, it is not possible to predict the overall future impact of COVID-19 on our business, liquidity, capital resources and financial results.

We participate in highly competitive business markets and we may not be able to continue to compete successfully, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We operate in several highly competitive business segments and our competitors may succeed in developing new or enhanced products that are better than ours, may be more successful in marketing and selling their products than we are, or may have more effective supply chain capability than we have. Competitive factors include price, service level, proximity to markets, access to transportation, product quality, marketing and risk management. In our business segments, we compete with certain companies that are larger and better known than we are and that have greater marketing, financial, personnel and other resources than we do. As a result, we may not be able to continue to compete successfully, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.

Our revenues, margins, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected if our members were to do business with others rather than with us.


We do not have an exclusive relationship with our members and our members are not obligated to supply us with their products or purchase products from us. Our members often have a variety of distribution outlets and product sources available to them. If our members were to sell their products to other purchasers or purchase products from other sellers, our revenues and margins would decline and our results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.


If our customers choose alternatives to our refined petroleum products, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Numerous alternative energy sources currently under development could serve as alternatives to our gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products. If any of these alternative products become more economically viable or preferable to our customers for environmental or other reasons, demand for our energy products would decline. Declining demand for our energy products, particularly diesel fuel sold for farming applications, could materially and adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

Consolidation among the producers of products we purchase and customers for products we sell could materially and adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

Consolidation has occurred among the individual producers and manufacturers of products we sell and purchase, including crude oil, fertilizer and grain, and it is highly likely that this consolidation will continue in the future. Consolidation could allow producers to negotiate pricing, supply availability and other contract terms that are less favorable to us. In addition, consolidation also may increase the likelihood that consumers or end users of these products enter into supply relationships with a smaller number of producers, resulting in potentially higher prices for the products we purchase.

Consolidation has also occurred among local cooperatives that are the primary wholesale customers of our products, which has resulted in a smaller wholesale and retail customer base for our products and has intensified the competition for these customers. It is highly likely that this consolidation will continue in the future. Ongoing consolidation among distributors and brokers of food products and food retailers has altered the buying patterns of these businesses, as they have increasingly elected to work with product suppliers who can meet their needs nationwide rather than just regionally or locally. If these cooperatives, distributors, brokers and retailers elect not to purchase our products, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
10

Table of Contents

In addition, in the seed, fertilizer and crop protection markets, consolidation at both the producer and wholesale customer level has increased the potential for direct sales from the respective input manufacturer to cooperative customers and/or individual agricultural producers, which would remove us from the supply chain and could have a material and adverse effect on our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

We are exposed to the risk of nonperformance and nonpayment by counterparties.


We are exposed to the risk of nonperformance and nonpayment by counterparties, whether pursuant to contracts or otherwise. Risk of nonperformance and nonpayment by counterparties includes the inability or refusal of a counterparty to pay us, the inability or refusal to perform because of a counterparty’scounterparty's financial condition and liquidity or for any other reason, and also the risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform a contract during a period of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different than the then current market prices. In the event that we experience significant nonperformance or nonpayment by counterparties, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected. For example, we store inventory in third-party warehouses, and the operators of these warehouses may not adequately store or secure our inventory, or they may improperly sell that inventory to someone else, which could expose us to a loss of the value of that inventory. In the event that we experience any such nonperformance by a third-party warehouse operator, our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

We participate in highly competitive business markets and we may not be able to continue to compete successfully, which could have a material adverse effect on us.

We operate in several highly competitive business segments and our competitors may succeed in developing new or enhanced products that are better than ours, may be more successful in marketing and selling their products than we are, or may have more effective supply chain capability than we have. Competitive factors include price, service level, proximity to markets, access to transportation, product quality and marketing. In our business segments, we compete with certain companies that are larger and better known than we are and that have greater marketing, financial, personnel and other resources than we do. As a result, we may not be able to continue to compete successfully with our competitors, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.


11

Table of Contents



Our business, profitability and liquidity may be adversely affected by the deterioration in the credit quality of, or defaults by, third parties who owe us money.


We extend credit to, make loans to and engage in other financing arrangements with individual producers, local cooperatives and other third parties around the world.When we do so, weWe incur credit risk and the risk of losses if our borrowers and others to which we extend credit do not repay their loans or perform their obligations to pay us the money they owe. These parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of liquidity, operational failure or for other reasons. If these counterparties do not pay us back, such that we experience significant defaults on their payment obligations to us, our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.


We are also subject to the risk that our rights against borrowers and other third parties that owe us money may not be enforceable in all circumstances, forcircumstances. For example, if a borrower or third party declaresmay declare bankruptcy. In addition, due to implications of the overall agricultural sector's extended period of depressed commodity prices and margins, the COVID-19 pandemic and changing weather conditions, including those due to climate change, among other factors, the credit quality of borrowers and other third parties whose obligations we hold could deteriorate, including a deterioration in the value of collateral posted by those parties to secure their obligations to us pursuant to purchase contracts, loan agreements or other contracts. If that deterioration occurs, the material adverse effects of third parties not performing their repayment obligations may be exacerbated if the collateral held by us cannot be realized or is liquidated at prices not sufficient to recover the full amount owed to us. For example, certain loans and other financing arrangements we undertake with agricultural producers are typically secured by the counterparty’scounterparty's crops that are planted in the current year. There is a risk that the value of the crop will not be sufficient to satisfy the counterparty’s repayment obligations under the financing arrangement as a result of weather, crop growing conditions, other factors that influence the price, supply and demand for agricultural commodities or for other reasons.


In addition, disputes may arise as to the amount of collateral we are entitled to receive and the value of pledged assets. The terminationTermination of contracts and the foreclosure on collateral may subject us to claims for the improper exercise of our rights. Default rates, downgrades and disputes with counterparties as to the valuation of collateral increase significantly in times of market stress and illiquidity.


In respect ofto our lending activity, we evaluate the collectability of both commercial and producer loans on a specific identification basis, based on the amount and quality of the collateral obtained, and record specific loan loss reserves when appropriate. Consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"), a general reserve is also maintained based on historical loss experience and various qualitative factors. For other forms of credit, we establish reserves as appropriate and consistent with U.S. GAAP. The reserves represent our best estimate based uponon current facts and circumstances. Future developments or changes in assumptions may cause us to record adjustments to the reserves whichthat could materially and adversely affect our results of operations.


ChangesOur risk management strategies may not be effective.

Our business is affected by fluctuations in federal income tax laws orcommodity prices, transportation costs, energy prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We monitor position limits, account receivables and other exposures and engage in our tax status could increase our tax liabilityother strategies and reduce our net income significantly.controls to manage these risks. Our monitoring efforts may not be effective at detecting a significant risk

11

Table of Contents
Current federal income tax laws, regulations and interpretations regarding the taxation of cooperatives allow us to exclude income generated through business with or for a member (patronage income) from our taxable income. If any changes are made to such federal income tax laws, regulations or interpretations, or if in the future we were not eligible to be taxed as a cooperative, our tax liability would significantly increase
exposure and our net income would significantly decrease.


12

Tablecontrols and strategies may not be effective in adequately managing against the occurrence of Contents


We incura significant costsloss relating to a risk exposure. If our controls and strategies are not successful in complying with applicable laws and regulations. Any failuremitigating or preventing our financial exposure to comply with these laws and regulations, or make the capital or other investments necessary to comply with these laws and regulations, could expose us to unanticipated expenditures and liabilities.

We are subject to numerous federal, state and local provisions regulating our business and operations. We incur and expect to incur significant capital and operating expenses to comply with these laws and regulations. We may be unable to pass on those expenses to customers without experiencing volume and margin losses. For example, the compliance burden and impact on our operations and profitability as a result of the enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”) and related regulations continue to evolve, as federal agencies have implemented and continue to implement its many provisions through regulation. These efforts to change the regulation of financial markets subject users of derivatives, such as CHS, to extensive oversight and regulation by the CFTC. Such initiatives have imposed, and may continue to impose, additional costs on us, including operating and compliance costs, and could materially affect the availability, as well as the cost and terms, of certain transactions. Certain federal regulations, studies and reports addressing Dodd-Frank, including the regulation of swaps and derivatives, are still being implemented and others are being finalized. We will continue to monitor these developments. Any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.

We establish reserves for the future cost of known compliance obligations, such as remediation of identified environmental issues. However, these reserves may prove inadequate to meet our actual liability. Moreover, amended, new or more stringent requirements, stricter interpretations of existing requirements or the future discovery of currently unknown compliance issues may require us to make material expenditures or subject us to liabilities that we currently do not anticipate. Furthermore, our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to administrative penalties and injunctive relief, civil remedies, including fines and injunctions, criminal fines and penalties, and recalls of our products. For example, we regularly maintain hedges to manage the price risks associated with our commercial operations. These transactions typically take place on exchanges such as the CME. Our hedging transactions and activities are subject to the rules and regulations of the exchanges we use, including the CME, as well as the CFTC. All exchanges have broad powers to review required records, investigate and enforce compliance and to punish noncompliance by entities subject to their jurisdiction. The failure to comply with such rules and regulations could lead to restrictions on our trading activities or subject us to enforcement action by the CFTC or a disciplinary action by the exchanges, which could lead to substantial sanctions. In addition, any investigation or proceeding by an exchange or the CFTC, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in substantial costs, the diversion of resources, including management time, and potential harm to our reputation, all of which, could have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.

We are subject to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 and other similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations, and any noncompliance with those laws and regulations by us or others acting on our behalf could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We operate on a global basis and are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (the “FCPA”). The FCPA and other similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries or agents from making improper payments to government officials or any other persons for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. We operate and sell our products in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and, in certain circumstances, strict compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations may conflict with local customs and practices. In addition, in certain countries, we engage third-party agents or intermediaries to act on our behalf and/or conduct all or a portion of our operations through joint venture partners, including in those countries with a high risk for corruption. If any of these third parties violate applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-kickback laws or regulations, we may be liable for those violations. We have policies in place prohibiting employees from making or authorizing improper payments, we train our employees regarding compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations and we utilize procedures to identify and mitigate risks of such misconduct by our employees, third-party agents, intermediaries and joint venture partners. However, we cannot provide assurances that our employees, third-party agents, intermediaries or joint venture partners will comply with those policies, laws and regulations. If we are found liable for violations of the FCPA, or other similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-kickback laws or regulations, either due to our own acts or out of inadvertence, orlosses due to the actsfluctuations or inadvertence of others, wefailures mentioned above, it could suffer criminal or civil fines or penalties or other repercussions, including reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial conditionsignificantly and results of operations.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we contacted the U.S. Department of Justice and SEC to voluntarily self-disclose potential violations of the FCPA in connection with a small number of reimbursements the Company made to Mexican customs agents in the 2014-2015 time period for payments the customs agents made to Mexican customs officials in connection with

13

Table of Contents


inspections of grain crossing the U.S.-Mexican border by railcar. We are fully cooperating with the government, including with the assistance of legal counsel, which assistance includes investigating other areas of potential interest to the government. We are unable at this time to predict when our or the government agencies' review of these matters will be completed or what regulatory or other outcomes may result.

Environmental and energy laws and regulations may result in increased operating costs and capital expenditures and may have a material and adverse effect on us.

New and current environmental and energy laws and regulations, including regulations relating to alternative energy sources and the risk of global climate change, new interpretations of existing environmental and energy laws and regulations, increased governmental enforcement of environmental and energy laws and regulations or other developments in these areas could require us to make additional unforeseen expenditures or to make unforeseen changes to our operations, either of which could adversely affect us. For example, it is possible that some form of regulation will be forthcoming at the federal or state level in the United States with respect to emissions of greenhouse gases (“GHGs”), such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides. New federal legislation or regulatory programs that restrict emissions of GHGs, or comparable new state legislation or programs, or customer requirements, in areas where we or our customers conduct business could adversely affect our operations and the demand for our energy products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects. In addition, new legislation or regulatory programs could require substantial expenditures for the installation and operation of systems and equipment that we do not currently possess or for substantial modifications to existing equipment. The actual effects of climate change on our businesses are, however, unknown and indeterminable at this time.operating results.

Also, pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the EPA has promulgated the Renewable Fuel Standard (“RFS”), which requires refiners to blend renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, with their petroleum fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The EPA generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. We generate RINs in our marketing operations under the RFS; however, it may not be enough to meet the needs of our refining capacity and if so, RINs must be purchased on the open market. In recent years the price of RINs has been extremely volatile. As a result, the purchase of RINs could have a negative impact on our future refined fuels margins, the impact of which we are not able to estimate at this time.

During fiscal 2018, the EPA granted our Laurel, Montana refinery an extension of the small refinery exemption under the RFS as provided for under the Clean Air Act for 2017 (the "small refinery exemption"). This action provided our Laurel, Montana refinery an exemption from its renewable fuel volume obligations under the RFS program for compliance year 2017. In granting this exemption the EPA considered a number of factors and concluded that the Laurel, Montana refinery qualified for the exemption as prescribed under the standard. As with other competitors who received the exemption in the same geographic area as our Laurel, Montana refinery, the small refinery exemption lowers our cost to operate and has a positive impact on our earnings. Since the small refinery exemption is granted on a year-to-year basis, we are unable to predict whether we will receive this exemption again in the future.

Environmental liabilities could have a material adverse effect on us.

Many of our current and former facilities have been in operation for many years and, over that time, we and other operators of those facilities have generated, used, stored and disposed of substances or wastes that are or might be considered hazardous under applicable environmental laws, including liquid fertilizers, chemicals and fuels stored in underground and above-ground tanks. Any past or future actions in violation of applicable environmental laws could subject us to administrative penalties, fines, other costs, such as capital expenditures, and injunctions. In addition, an owner or operator of contaminated property, and a party who sends hazardous materials to such site for treatment, storage, disposal or recycling, can be liable for the cost of investigation and remediation under environmental laws. In some instances, such liability exists regardless of fault. Moreover, future or unknown past releases of hazardous substances could subject us to private lawsuits claiming damages, including for bodily injury or property damage, and to adverse publicity, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Liabilities, including legal costs, related to remediation of contaminated properties are not recognized by us until the related costs are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated.


Actual or perceived quality, safety or health risks associated with our products could subject us to significant liability and damage our business and reputation.


If any of our food or animal feed products becamewere to become adulterated or misbranded, we maywould need to recall those items and could experience product liability claims if consumerseither consumers' or customers’customers' livestock were injured or were claimed to be injured as a

14

Table of Contents


result. A widespread product recall or a significant product liability judgment could cause our products to be unavailable for a period of time or could cause a loss of consumer or customer confidence in our products. Even if a product liability claim iswere unsuccessful or iswere not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness or injury could adversely affect our business and reputation with existing and potential consumers and customers and our corporate and brand image. Moreover, claims or liabilities of this sort might not be covered by our insurance or by any rights of indemnity or contribution that we may have against others. In addition, general public perceptions regarding the quality, safety or health risks associated with particular food or animal feed products, such as concerns regarding genetically modified crops, could reduce demand and prices for some of the products associated with our businesses. To the extent that consumer preferences evolve away from products that our members or we produce for health or other reasons, such as the growing demand for organic food products, and we are unable to develop or procure products that satisfy new consumer preferences, there will be a decreased demand for our products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.

Our financial results are susceptible to seasonality.

Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenue and income are generally lowest during the second and fourth fiscal quarters and highest during the first and third fiscal quarters. For example, in our Ag segment, our crop nutrients and country operations businesses generally experience higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and during the fall harvest season. Our grain marketing operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and income based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand, and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and income in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usage by our customers and members is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, may experience higher volumes and income during the winter heating and crop drying seasons.


Our operations are subject to business interruptions and casualty losses; we do not insure against all potential losses and could be seriously harmed by unanticipated liabilities.


Our operations are subject to business interruptions due to unanticipated events such as explosions, fires, pipeline interruptions, transportation delays, equipment failures, crude oil or refined product spills, inclementadverse weather conditions and labor disputes. For example:


ourOur oil refineries and other facilities are potential targets for terrorist attacks that could halt or discontinue production;production.


ourOur inability to negotiate acceptable contracts with unionized workers in our operations could result in strikes or work stoppages;stoppages.


ourOur corporate headquarters, the facilities we own or the significant inventories that we carry could be damaged or destroyed by catastrophic events, extremeadverse weather conditions or contamination;contamination.


someoneSomeone may accidentally or intentionally introduce a computer virus to our information technology systems or breach our computer systems or other cyber resources; andresources.


anAn occurrence of a pandemic flu or otherepidemic disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, affecting a substantial part of our workforce or our customers could cause an interruption in our business operations.


The effects of any of these events could be significant. We maintain insurance coverage against many, but not all, potential losses or liabilities arising from these operating hazards, but uninsured losses or losses above our coverage limits are possible. Uninsured losses and liabilities arising from operating hazards could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition, if we experience insurable events, our insurance premiums could increase or insurance relating thereto may become unavailable to us.

Our risk management strategies may not be effective.

Our business is affected by fluctuations in commodity prices, transportation costs, energy prices, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. We monitor position limits, account receivables and other exposures, and engage in other strategies and controls to manage these risks. Our monitoring efforts may not be successful at detecting a significant risk exposure and our controls and strategies may not be effective in adequately managing against the occurrence of a loss relating to a risk exposure. If our controls and strategies are not successful in mitigating our financial exposure to losses due to the fluctuations mentioned above, it could significantly and adversely affect our operating results.

15

Table of Contents



Our business is capital-intensive in nature and we rely on cash generated from our operations and external financing to fund our strategies and ongoing capital needs.


We require significant capital, including accessare subject to credit markets from time to time, to operate our business and fund our strategies. Our working capital requirements are directly affected by the price of commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and change quickly. We also require substantial capital to maintain and upgrade our extensive network of facilities to keep pace with competitive developments, technological advances, regulations and changing safety standards. In addition, the expansion of our business and pursuit of acquisitions or other business opportunities has required, and may require, significant amounts of capital. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or maintain access to adequate external financing, including as a result of significant disruptions in the global credit markets, it could restrict our current operations and our growth opportunities, whichworkforce factors that could adversely affect our business and financial condition.

    Like most companies in the agricultural industry, we are continuously challenged to hire, develop and retain a sufficient number of employees to operate our businesses throughout our operating results,geographies. We may have difficulty recruiting and restrictretaining new employees with adequate qualifications and experience. The challenge of hiring new employees is exacerbated by the rural nature of our ability to repay our existing indebtedness.

Our cooperative structure limits our ability to access equity capital.

Asbusiness, which provides for a cooperative,smaller pool of skilled employee candidates. To hire new employees, we may not sell common stock inbe forced to pay higher wages or offer other benefits that might impact our company. In addition, existing laws and our articlescost of incorporation and bylaws limit dividends on any preferred stocklabor. Furthermore, when we do hire new employees, we may issuebe unable to 8% per annum.successfully transfer our other employees' institutional knowledge and
12

Table of Contents

skills to them. These limitations may restrictor other employee workforce factors could negatively impact our ability to raise equity capital and may adversely affect our ability to compete with enterprises that do not face similar restrictions.

Consolidation among the producers of products we purchase and customers for products we sell could materially and adversely affect our revenues,business, financial condition or results of operations and cash flows.operations.

Consolidation has occurred among the individual producers of products we sell and purchase, including crude oil, fertilizer and grain, and it is likely to continue in the future. Consolidation could allow producers to negotiate pricing, supply availability and other contract terms that are less favorable to us. Consolidation also may increase the competition among consumers of these products to enter into supply relationships with a smaller number of producers, resulting in potentially higher prices for the products we purchase.

Consolidation has occurred among cooperative associations that are wholesale customers of our products, which has resulted in a smaller wholesale and retail customer base for our products and has intensified the competition for these customers, and this consolidation is likely to continue in the future. For example, ongoing consolidation among distributors and brokers of food products and food retailers has altered the buying patterns of these businesses, as they have increasingly elected to work with product suppliers who can meet their needs nationwide rather than just regionally or locally. If these cooperatives, distributors, brokers and retailers elect not to purchase our products, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

In addition, in the seed, fertilizer and crop protection markets, consolidation at both the producer and wholesale customer level increases the potential for direct sales from the respective input manufacturer to the cooperative customers and/or the individual agricultural producer, which would remove us from the supply chain and could have a material and adverse effect on our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

If our customers choose alternatives to our refined petroleum products, our revenues, results of operations and cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.

Numerous alternative energy sources currently under development could serve as alternatives to our gasoline, diesel fuel and other refined petroleum products. If any of these alternative products become more economically viable or preferable to our products for environmental or other reasons, demand for our energy products would decline. Declining demand for our energy products, particularly diesel fuel sold for farming applications, could materially and adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.

The results of our agronomy business are highly dependent upon certain factors outside of our control.

Planted acreage, and consequently the volume of fertilizer and crop protection products applied, is partially dependent upon government programs, grain prices and the perception held by the producer of demand for production, all of which are outside of our control. In addition, weather conditions during the spring planting season and early summer spraying season also affect agronomy product volumes and profitability. Emerging sustainability and other environmental concerns that are outside of our control could also affect the future demand for agronomy products applied to crops and the volume of any such

16

Table of Contents


application. Accordingly, factors outside of our control could materially and adversely affect the revenues, results of operations and cash flows of our agronomy business.


Technological improvements could decrease the demand for our agronomy and energy products.


Technological advances in agriculture could decrease the demand for crop nutrients, energy and other crop input products and services that we provide. Genetically engineered seeds that resist disease and insects, or that meet certain nutritional requirements, could affect the demand for our crop nutrients and crop protection products. Demand for fuel that we sell could decline as technology allows for more efficient usage of equipment. Declining demand for our products could materially and adversely affect our revenues, results of operations and cash flows.


We utilize information technology systems to support our business. The ongoing multiyear implementation of an enterprisewide resource planning system, reliance upon multiple legacy business systems, security breaches or other disruptions to our information technology systems or assets could interfere with our operations, compromise security of our customers' or suppliers' information and expose us to liability that could adversely impact our business and reputation.

Our operations rely on certain key information technology ("IT") systems, many of which are legacy in nature or may depend on third-party services to provide critical connections of data, information and services for internal and external users.

Over the past several years, we have been implementing a new enterprise resource planning system ("ERP"), and we expect this ERP implementation to continue for the next several years. This ERP implementation has and will continue to require significant capital and human resources to deploy. Changes we have experienced in the implementation timeline and the scope of the implementation likely have impacted the capital and operating expense amounts required to complete the implementation and there can be no assurance that the actual costs for completing the ERP implementation will not exceed our current estimates or that the ERP will not take longer to implement than we currently expect. In addition, potential flaws in implementing the ERP or in the failure of any portion/module of the ERP to meet our needs or provide appropriate controls may pose risks to our ability to operate successfully and efficiently and with an effective system of internal controls.

There may be other challenges and risks to both our aging and current IT systems over time due to any number of causes, such as catastrophic events, availability of resources, power outages, security breaches or cyber-based attacks, as we upgrade and standardize our ERP system on a worldwide basis. These challenges and risks could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or penalties, disruption in operations, loss of valuable data, increased costs and damage to our reputation, all of which could adversely affect our business. Our ongoing IT investments include those relating to cybersecurity, including technology, hired expertise and cybersecurity risk mitigation actions. However, in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of our employees have transitioned to working remotely. As a result, more of our employees are working from locations where our cybersecurity programs may be less effective and robust. In addition, we have experienced an increase in the number of attempts by external parties to access our networks and our data without authorization, and these attempts have become increasingly sophisticated. We have experienced insignificant data security incidents in the past and any security incident or breach that may occur could adversely impact our business and reputation.

We are also subject to laws and regulations in the United States and other jurisdictions regarding privacy, data protection and data security, including those related to the collection, storage, handling, use, disclosure, transfer and security of personal data. These laws and regulations pose increasingly complex compliance challenges and will require us to incur costs to achieve and maintain compliance; some of those costs may be significant. Any violation of such laws and regulations, including as a result of a security or privacy breach, could subject us to legal claims, regulatory penalties and damage to our reputation.

Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from stakeholders with respect to our environmental, social and governance practices may expose us to new or additional risks.

Companies across all industries are facing increasing scrutiny from stakeholders related to their environmental, social and governance ("ESG") practices. Investor advocacy groups, certain institutional investors, lenders, investment funds and other influential investors are also increasingly focused on ESG practices and in recent years have placed increasing importance on the implications and social cost of their investments. Regardless of the industry, investors' and other stakeholders' increased focus and activism related to ESG and similar matters may hinder access to capital or financing, as investors or lenders may determine to reallocate capital or not commit capital as a result of their assessment of a company's ESG practices. If we do not adapt or comply with investor, lender or stakeholder ESG expectations and standards, which are evolving, or if we are perceived to have not responded appropriately to the growing focus on ESG issues, regardless of whether there is a legal
13

Table of Contents

requirement to do so, we may suffer from reputational damage and our business or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

Acquisitions, strategic alliances, joint ventures, divestitures and other non-ordinary course of businessnonordinary course-of-business events resulting from portfolio management actions and other evolving business strategies could affect future results.


Wemonitor our business portfolio and organizational structure and have made and may continue to make acquisitions,strategic alliances, joint ventures, divestitures and changes to our organizational structure. With respect to acquisitions, future results will be affected by our ability to identify suitable acquisition candidates, to adequately finance any acquisitions and to integrate acquired businesses quickly and obtain the anticipated financial returns, including synergies. Our ability to successfully complete a divestiture will depend on, among other things, our ability to identify buyers that are prepared to acquire such assets or businesses on acceptable terms and to adjust and optimize our retained businesses following the divestiture. Additionally, we may fail to consummate proposed acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures or strategic alliances after incurring expenses and devoting substantial resources, including management time, to such transactions.


Several parts of our business, including in particular our nitrogen production business, our foods business and portions of our global grain marketing and wheat milling operations, are operated through joint ventures with third parties where we do not have majority control of the venture. By operating a business through a joint venture, we have less control over business decisions than we have in our wholly-owned or majority-owned businesses.subsidiaries and limited liability companies in which we have a controlling interest. In particular, we generally cannot act on major business initiatives in our joint ventures without the consent of the other party or parties in those ventures. Investments in joint ventures may, under certain circumstances, involve risks not present when a third party is not involved, including the possibility that co-venturers might experience business or financial stresses that impact their ability to effectively operate the joint venture, or might become bankrupt or fail to fund their share of required capital contributions,the business, in which case the joint venture may be unable to access needed growth capital (if the co-venturer is solely responsible for capital contributions) without funding from us and/or we and any other remaining co-venturers would generally be liable for the joint venture’s liabilities.co-venturers. Co-venturers may have economic, tax or other business interests or goals whichthat are inconsistent with our business interests or goals and may be in a position to take actions contrary to our policies or objectives. Our co-venturers may take actions that are not within our control, which may expose our investments in joint ventures to the risk of lower values or returns. Joint venture investments may also lead to impasses. Disputes between us and co-venturers may result in litigation or arbitration that would increase our expenses and prevent our officers and/or directors from focusing their time and effort on our day-to-day business. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for the actions of our co-venturers. Each of these matters could have a material adverse effect on us.


We made certain assumptions and projections regarding the future of the markets served by our joint venture investments, which included projected raw materiality availability and pricing, production costs, market pricing and demand for theirthe joint venture's products. These assumptions were an integral part of the economics used to evaluate these joint venture investment opportunities prior to consummation. To the extent that actual market performance varies from our models, our ability to achieve the projected returns on our joint venture investments may be impacted in a materially adverse manner. For example, assumptions we made in connection with our investment in CF Nitrogen may not align with future demand for nitrogen-based products or the cost or availability of natural gas, the primary feedstock utilized for CF Nitrogen's nitrogen-based products.

Risks Related to Laws and Regulations

Government policies, mandates, regulations and trade agreements could adversely affect our operations and profitability. 

    Our business is subject to numerous government policies, mandates and regulations that could have an adverse effect on our operations or profitability. For example, government policies, mandates and regulations related to genetically modified organisms, traceability standards, product safety and labeling, and renewable and low-carbon fuels could have an adverse effect on our operations or profitability by, among other things, influencing planting of certain crops, location and size of crop production, trade of processed and unprocessed commodity products, volumes and types of imports and exports, availability and competitiveness of feedstocks as raw materials, and viability and volume of certain of our products. In our Energy segment, government policies, mandates and regulations designed to stop or impede the development or production of oil, such as those limiting or banning use of hydraulic fracturing, drilling or oilsands production, could adversely affect our operations and profitability.

    In addition, changes in international trade agreements and trade disputes can adversely affect commodity trade flows by limiting or disrupting trade between countries or regions. In many countries around the world, historical free trade relationships are being challenged. For example, the U.S. government has imposed tariffs on certain products imported into the
14

Table of Contents

United States, which has resulted in reciprocal tariffs from other countries, including countries where we operate and/or into which we import products, such as imports of U.S. soybeans into China. In addition, the U.S. government has indicated its intent to renegotiate or potentially terminate certain existing international trade agreements and it is unclear what changes, if any, will be made to international trade agreements that are relevant to our business activities. These actions have created uncertainty between the United States and other nations, including countries where we operate, and have led to significant volatility in commodity prices, disruptions in historical trade flows and shifts in planting patterns in the United States and South America, all of which have resulted in reduced volumes of grain exports overall and have presented challenges and uncertainties for our business. Changes in trade policy, withdrawals from or material modifications to relevant international trade agreements and continued uncertainty could depress economic activity and restrict our access to suppliers and customers and we cannot predict the effects of future trade policies, disputes or agreements on our business. Tariffs and trade restrictions that are implemented on products that we buy and/or sell could increase the cost of those products or adversely affect the availability of market access. These cost increases and market changes could adversely affect demand for our products and reduce margins, which could have a material adverse manner.effect on our business and our earnings. In addition, the U.S. government can prevent or restrict us from doing business in or with other countries. These restrictions and those of other governments could limit our ability to gain access to business opportunities in various countries.

Changes in federal income tax laws or in our tax status could increase our tax liability and reduce our net income significantly.

Current federal income tax laws, regulations and interpretations regarding the taxation of cooperatives allow us to exclude income generated through business with or for a member (patronage-sourced income) from our taxable income to the extent it is distributed back to our members. If any changes are made to such federal income tax laws, regulations or interpretations, or if in the future we were not eligible to be taxed as a cooperative, our tax liability would significantly increase and our net income would significantly decrease.

We utilize information technology systemsincur significant costs in complying with applicable laws and regulations. Any failure to support our business. An ongoing multi-year implementation of an enterprise-wide resource planning system, reliance upon multiple legacy business systems, security breachescomply with these laws and regulations, or make capital or other disruptionsinvestments necessary to our information technology systems or assetscomply with these laws and regulations, could interfere with our operations, compromise security of our customers’ or suppliers’ information and expose us to liability which could adversely impactunanticipated expenditures and liabilities.

We are subject to numerous federal, state and local provisions regulating our business and reputation.

Our operations rely on certain key information technology (“IT”) systems, many of which are legacy in nature oroperations. We incur and expect to incur significant capital and operating expenses to comply with these laws and regulations. We may be dependent upon third-party services,unable to provide critical connectionspass on those expenses to customers without experiencing volume and margin losses. For example, the compliance burden and impact on our operations and profitability as a result of data, informationthe enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and services for internalConsumer Protection Act ("Dodd-Frank") and external users. Overrelated regulations continue to evolve, as federal agencies have implemented and continue to implement its many provisions through regulation. These efforts to change the next several years,regulation of financial markets subject users of derivatives, such as CHS, to extensive oversight and regulation by the CFTC. Such initiatives have imposed and may continue to impose additional costs on us, including operating and compliance costs, and the cost of fines or penalties in the event we expect to continue implementing a new enterprise resource planning system (“ERP”), which hasdo not comply, and could materially affect the availability, as well as the cost and terms, of certain transactions. Certain federal regulations, studies and reports addressing Dodd-Frank, including the regulation of swaps and derivatives, are still being implemented and others are being finalized. We will continue to require significant capitalmonitor these developments. Any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and human resources to deploy. There can be no assurance that the actual costsprospects.

We establish reserves for the ERP will not exceed our current estimates or that the ERP will not take longer to implement than we currently expect. In addition, potential flaws in implementing the ERP or in the failurefuture cost of any portion/moduleknown compliance obligations, such as remediation of the ERPidentified environmental issues. However, these reserves may prove inadequate to meet our needsactual liability. Moreover, amended, new or provide appropriate controlsmore stringent requirements, stricter interpretations of existing requirements or the future discovery of currently unknown compliance issues may poserequire us to make material expenditures or subject us to liabilities that we currently do not anticipate. Furthermore, our failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations could subject us to administrative penalties and injunctive relief, civil remedies, including fines and injunctions, criminal fines and penalties, and recalls of our products. For example, we regularly maintain hedges to manage the price risks toassociated with our ability to operate successfully and efficiently. There may

17

Table of Contents


be other challenges and risks to both our aging and current IT systems over time due to any number of causes,commercial operations. These transactions typically take place on exchanges such as catastrophic events, availabilitythe CME. Our hedging transactions and activities are subject to the rules and regulations of resources, power outages, security breachesthe exchanges we use and governing bodies, including the CME, the NYMEX, the CBOT, the MGEX and the CFTC. All exchanges have broad powers to review required records, to investigate and enforce compliance and to punish noncompliance by entities subject to their jurisdiction. Failure to comply with such rules and regulations could lead to restrictions on our trading activities or cyber-based attacks, and as we upgrade and standardizesubject us to enforcement action by the CFTC or a disciplinary action by the exchanges, which could lead to substantial fines or penalties or limitations on our ERP system on a worldwide basis. These challenges and risksrelated operations. In addition, any investigation or proceeding by an exchange or the CFTC, whether successful or unsuccessful, could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or penalties, disruption in operations, losssubstantial costs, diversion of valuable dataresources, including management time, and damagepotential harm to our reputation, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects.

15

Table of Contents

The consequences of any U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") or other governmental authority's investigation with respect to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations could have a material adverse effect on our business.

    In connection with the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, our management noted potentially excessive valuations in net derivative asset valuations relating to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations. Following the identification of these potentially excessive valuations, we engaged external counsel, which engaged forensic accountants to work with our management under the oversight of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors to conduct an investigation. The investigation concluded there were misstatements in the consolidated financial statements included in certain of our filings with the SEC that were due to intentional misconduct by a former employee in our rail freight trading operations, and due to rail freight contracts and certain nonrail freight contracts not meeting technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. The misconduct consisted of the former employee manipulating the mark-to-market valuation of railcars that were the subject of rail freight purchase contracts and manipulating the quantity of railcars included in the monthly mark-to-market valuation. In addition, the investigation revealed intentional misstatements that were made by the former employee to our external auditor in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2017. During the course of, and as a result of, the investigation, we terminated the employee. The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and our legal counsel reported the findings of the investigation to our Board of Directors and to our independent registered public accounting firm and have discussed evidence uncovered and conclusions reached in the investigation with the staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC. We are cooperating, and will continue to fully cooperate with, the staff of the Division of Enforcement of the SEC in any ongoing review of these matters. We are unable at this time to predict when the SEC Division of Enforcement's review of these matters will be completed or what regulatory or other outcomes may result. If the SEC or any other governmental authority determines that violations of certain laws or regulations occurred, we could be exposed to a broad range of civil and criminal sanctions. Although we are currently unable to predict what actions the SEC or any other governmental authority might take, or what the likely outcome of any such actions might be, or estimate the range of reasonably possible fines or penalties, such actions, fines and/or penalties could be material, resulting in a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. Even if an inquiry or investigation does not result in an adverse determination, our business, prospects, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be adversely impacted. In addition, the expenses incurred in connection with the ongoing or any other review by the SEC or any other governmental authority, and the diversion of the attention of our management that could occur as a result thereof, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

We are subject to extensive anti-corruption, anti-bribery, anti-kickback and trade laws and regulations, and any noncompliance with those laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

    We operate on a global basis and are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended ("FCPA"). The FCPA and other similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations in other jurisdictions generally prohibit companies and their intermediaries or agents from making improper payments to government officials or any other persons for the purpose of obtaining or retaining business. Our ongoing IT investments includeWe operate and sell our products in many parts of the world that have experienced governmental corruption to some degree and in certain circumstances strict compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations may conflict with local customs and practices. In addition, in certain countries, we engage third-party agents or intermediaries to act on our behalf and/or conduct all or a portion of our operations through joint venture partners, including in those countries with a high risk for corruption. If any of these third parties violate applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-kickback laws or regulations, we may be liable for those violations. We have policies in place prohibiting employees from making or authorizing improper payments; we train our employees regarding compliance with anti-corruption, anti-bribery and anti-kickback laws and regulations; and we utilize procedures to identify and mitigate risks of such misconduct by our employees, third-party agents, intermediaries and joint venture partners. However, we cannot provide assurances that our employees, third-party agents, intermediaries or joint venture partners will comply with those policies, laws and regulations. If we are found liable for violations of the FCPA or other similar anti-corruption, anti-bribery or anti-kickback laws or regulations, either due to our own acts or out of inadvertence or due to the acts or inadvertence of others, we could suffer criminal or civil fines or penalties or other repercussions, including reputational harm, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we contacted the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") and SEC to voluntarily self-disclose potential violations of the FCPA in connection with a small number of reimbursements made to Mexican customs agents in the 2014-2015 time period for payments customs agents made to Mexican customs officials in connection with inspections of grain crossing the U.S.-Mexican border by railcar. In connection with their review of this matter, we have cooperated with the DOJ's and SEC's evaluation of other areas of potential interest relating to cybersecurity,the FCPA. On February 25, 2020,
16

Table of Contents

we received a letter from the DOJ stating that it had closed its inquiry into each of these matters without taking any action against us and acknowledging its appreciation of our cooperation. We are still fully cooperating with the SEC's ongoing evaluation of these FCPA-related matters. At this time, the SEC has not taken a position on these FCPA-related matters and we are unable to predict when the SEC's review of these matters will be completed or what regulatory or other outcomes may result.

Due to the international scope of our operations, we are also subject to a complex system of import- and export-related laws and regulations, including technology, hired expertiseU.S. regulations issued by Customs and cybersecurityBorder Protection, the Bureau of Industry and Security, the Office of Antiboycott Compliance, the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and the Office of Foreign Assets Control, as well as the counterparts of these agencies in other countries. Any alleged or actual violation of these laws or regulations by us or our employees may subject us to government scrutiny, investigation and civil and criminal penalties, and may limit our import and export abilities. Furthermore, embargoes and sanctions imposed by the United States and other governments restricting or prohibiting sales to specific persons or countries or based on product classification may expose us to potential criminal or civil sanctions. We cannot predict the nature, scope or effect of future regulatory requirements to which our operations might be subject or the way existing laws and regulations might be administered or interpreted.

Environmental and energy laws and regulations may result in increased operating costs and capital expenditures and may have a material and adverse effect on us.

New and current environmental and energy laws and regulations, including regulations relating to alternative energy sources and the risk mitigation actions. However, an incidentof global climate change, new interpretations of existing environmental and energy laws and regulations, increased governmental enforcement of environmental and energy laws and regulations or breachother developments in these areas could require us to make additional unforeseen expenditures on technologies and/or other assets to continue our operations or unforeseen changes to our operations, either of which could adversely affect us. For example, it is possible that some form of regulation will be forthcoming at the federal or state level in the United States with respect to emissions of greenhouse gases ("GHGs"), such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. New federal legislation or regulatory programs that restrict emissions of GHGs or comparable new state legislation or programs or customer requirements in areas where we or our customers conduct business could adversely affect our operations and the demand for our energy products, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and prospects. In addition, new legislation, regulatory programs, or customer or other stakeholder expectations could require substantial expenditures for installation and operation of systems and equipment or for substantial modifications to existing equipment.

Also, pursuant to the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, the EPA has promulgated the Renewable Fuel Standard ("RFS"), which requires refiners to blend renewable fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, with their petroleum fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The EPA generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. We generate RINs in our marketing operations under the RFS; however, it may occurnot be enough to meet the needs of our refining capacity and, if it does, itso, RINs must be purchased on the open market. In recent years, the price of RINs has been extremely volatile. As a result, the purchase of RINs could have a negative impact on our future refined fuels margins, the impact of which we are unable to estimate.

Environmental liabilities could have a material adverse effect on us.

Many of our current and former facilities have been in operation for many years and over that time we and other operators of those facilities have generated, used, stored and disposed of substances or wastes that are or might be considered hazardous under applicable or future enacted environmental laws, including liquid fertilizers, chemicals and fuels stored in underground and aboveground tanks. Any past or future actions in violation of applicable environmental laws could subject us to administrative penalties, fines, injunctions or other costs, such as capital expenditures. In addition, an owner or operator of contaminated property, and a party who sends hazardous materials to such site for treatment, storage, disposal or recycling can be liable for the cost of investigation and remediation under environmental laws. In some instances, such liability exists regardless of fault. Moreover, future or unknown past releases of hazardous substances could subject us to private lawsuits claiming damages, including for bodily injury or property damage, and to adverse publicity, which could have a material adverse effect on us. Liabilities, including legal costs, related to remediation of contaminated properties are not recognized by us until the related costs are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated.





17

Table of Contents

Risks Related to our Financial Position and Financing Our Business

Our financial results are susceptible to seasonality.

Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenue is generally lowest during the second and fourth fiscal quarters and highest during the first and third fiscal quarters. For example, in our Ag segment, our country operations business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and during the fall harvest season and our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season. Our global grain marketing operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and income based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand, and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and income in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by our customers and members is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and income during the winter heating and crop-drying seasons. The COVID-19 pandemic may impact seasonal trends that typically characterize our revenue and operating results.

If any of our long-lived assets become impaired, we could be required to record a significant impairment charge, which would negatively impact our results of operations.

All our long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill, investments in unconsolidated affiliates and other identifiable intangibles, are evaluated for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP, at least annually for goodwill, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors resulted in substantial reductions in demand and sharp price declines in certain industries in which we operate during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, particularly with respect to the production of renewable fuels and other energy products. Accordingly, based on these deteriorated macroeconomic and industry conditions, we considered the impacts on each of our businesses and determined that we needed to perform interim impairment assessments of goodwill and asset groups during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 for a reporting unit within our Ag segment that operates in the renewable fuels industry. Although no impairment was recorded as a result of the impairment assessment during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, or as a result of our annual goodwill impairment tests as of July 31, 2020, we are continuing to monitor our results and projected cash flows to assess whether any impairment may be necessary in the future. Any such future impairment, or any other future impairment of our long-lived assets, could require us to record a significant impairment charge, which would negatively impact our results of operations.

Our business is capital-intensive and we rely on cash generated from our operations and external financing to fund our strategies and ongoing capital needs.

We require significant capital, including access to credit markets from time to time, to operate our businesses and fund our strategies. Our working capital requirements are directly affected by the price of commodities, which may fluctuate significantly and quickly. We also require substantial capital to maintain and upgrade our extensive network of facilities to keep pace with competitive developments, technological advances, regulatory changes and changing safety standards. In addition, the expansion of our business and reputation.pursuit of acquisitions or other business opportunities has required, and may in the future require, significant amounts of capital. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow or maintain access to adequate external financing, including as a result of significant disruptions in the global credit markets, it could restrict our current operations and our growth opportunities, which could adversely affect our operating results and restrict our ability to repay our existing debts.


Our cooperative structure limits our ability to access equity capital.

As a cooperative, we may not sell common stock in our company. In addition, existing laws and our articles of incorporation and bylaws limit dividends on any preferred stock we may issue to 8% per annum. These limitations may restrict our ability to raise equity capital and may adversely affect our ability to compete with enterprises that do not face similar restrictions.

Changes in the method of determining the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") or the replacement of LIBOR with an alternative reference rate may adversely affect interest rates under our credit facilities and dividend rates with respect to our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock and Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock.

LIBOR is the basic rate of interest widely used as a global reference for setting interest rates on loans. Some of our credit facilities, including our five-year revolving credit facility and our 10-year term loan facility, use LIBOR as the reference rate. In addition, the terms of our Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 ("Class B Series 2
18

Table of Contents

Preferred Stock"), and our Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 ("Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock"), provide that, beginning on March 24, 2024, in the case of our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock, or on September 30, 2024, in the case of our Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock ("Initial Reset Date"), dividends on such preferred stock will accumulate at a rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus an applicable spread, not to exceed 8% per annum.

In 2017, the United Kingdom's Financial Conduct Authority, which regulates LIBOR, announced that it intends to phase out LIBOR by the end of 2021. It is unclear if LIBOR will cease to exist at that time, if new methods of calculating LIBOR will be established such that it continues to exist after 2021 or whether different reference rates used to price indebtedness will develop or become widely accepted. It is impossible to predict the effect these developments, any discontinuance, modification or other reforms to LIBOR or the establishment or acceptance of alternative reference rates may have on LIBOR, other benchmark rates or floating rate debt instruments. Although certain of our credit facilities, including our five-year revolving credit facility and our 10-year term loan facility, contain LIBOR alternative provisions, use of alternative reference rates, new methods of calculating LIBOR or other reforms could cause the interest rates on our borrowings to be materially different than expected, which could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity and cause us to attempt to renegotiate such credit facilities. Similarly, although the rate at which dividends accumulate on our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock and Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock may not exceed 8% per annum, there is uncertainty regarding the calculation of such rate following the applicable Initial Reset Date in the event that LIBOR ceases to exist, and the use of alternative reference rates, new methods of calculating LIBOR or other reforms could cause the dividends we pay on our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock and Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock following the applicable Initial Reset Date to be materially different than expected, which could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity and cause us to attempt to amend the terms of our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock and Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock, including by seeking shareholder approval of any such amendment. In addition, the overall financial market may be disrupted as a result of the phaseout or replacement of LIBOR. Disruption in the financial market could have an adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

ITEM 1B.    UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS


As of the date hereof, there were no unresolved comments from the SEC staff regarding our periodic or current reports.



18
19

Table of ContentsContents



ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES


We own or lease energy, agronomy, grain handlinggrain-handling and processing facilities and other real estate throughout the United States and internationally. Below is a summary of these locations.

Energy

Facilities in our Energylocations by segment include the following, all of whichand related business. All facilities are owned except where indicated as leased:
leased.
RefineriesDescriptionLocation(s)
Energy
RefineriesLaurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas
Propane terminalsBiddeford, Maine;11 locations in Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin; the locations in Glenwood, Minnesota;Minnesota, Hannaford, North Dakota, and Nooksack and Yakima, Washington, are owned by CHS; the location in Rockville, Minnesota, (50%is 50% owned by CHS); Hannaford, North Dakota; Ross, North Dakota; Hixton, WisconsinCHS; all other locations are either fully or partially leased
Transportation terminals/repair facilities12 locations in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Washington and Wisconsin two of which are leased
Petroleum and asphalt terminals/storage facilities11 locations in Montana, North Dakota and Wisconsin
Pipelines:
Cenex Pipeline, LLCLaurel, Montana, to Fargo, North Dakota
Front Range Pipeline, LLCCanadian border to Laurel, Montana
Jayhawk Pipeline, LLCThroughout Kansas, with branches in Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas
Conway PipelineMcPherson, Kansas, to Conway, Kansas
Kaw Pipe Line CompanyLocations throughout Kansas
Osage Pipe Line Company, LLCOklahoma to Kansas (50% owned by CHS McPherson)Oklahoma to KansasCHS)
Convenience stores/gas stations3436 locations in Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming, 6six of which are leased
Lubricant plants/warehousesThreeInver Grove Heights, Minnesota; Kenton, Ohio; and Amarillo, Texas; the location in Inver Grove Heights is leased
Ag
Global Grain Marketing
Grain terminals18 locations in Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Minnesota, OhioWisconsin, Argentina, Brazil, Hungary, Romania and Ukraine
Fertilizer terminalArgentina
Grain marketing offices35 locations in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Hungary, Italy, Jordan, Mexico, Paraguay, Romania, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine and Uruguay; all locations are leased other than the offices in Davenport, Iowa, and Winona, Minnesota, which we own
Country Operations
Agri-operations facilitiesApproximately 487 community locations (some of the facilities are on leased land) located in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, one of which isWashington and Wisconsin
Feed manufacturing facilities8 locations in Montana, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota
Wholesale Agronomy
Deep-water portGalveston, Texas
Terminals17 locations in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, South Dakota, Tennessee and Texas; facilities in Little Rock, Arkansas; Owensboro, Kentucky; and Galveston, Texas, are on leased land
Bulk chemical rail terminal facilityBrooten, Minnesota

Ag

Within our Ag segment, we own or lease the following facilities:

Grain Marketing

We own 18 grain terminals, which are used in our grain marketing operations, in: Pekin and Peru, Illinois; Davenport, Iowa; Myrtle Grove, Louisiana; Savage and Winona, Minnesota; Collins, Mississippi; Friona, Texas; Superior, Wisconsin; Argentina; Brazil; Hungary; and Romania. We also own one fertilizer terminal in Argentina. In addition to office space at our corporate headquarters, we have 34 grain marketing offices in: Davenport, Iowa; Winona, Minnesota; Lincoln, Nebraska; Argentina; Brazil; Bulgaria; Canada; China; Hungary; Jordan; Paraguay; Romania; Russia; Serbia; Singapore; South Korea; Spain; Switzerland; Taiwan; Ukraine; and Uruguay. We lease all of these grain marketing offices, other than the grain marketing offices in Davenport, Iowa and Winona, Minnesota, which we own.

Country Operations

In our country operations business, we own agri-operations facilities in 466 communities (of which some of the facilities are on leased land), four sunflower plants and eight feed manufacturing facilities. These operations are located in Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin.


1920

Table of ContentsContents



DescriptionLocation(s)
Distribution warehouses29 locations in Arkansas, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin; all facilities are leased except those in Willmar, Minnesota (two locations); Fargo and Minot, North Dakota; and Black River Falls, Wisconsin
Processing and Food Ingredients
Oilseed facilitiesFairmont, Hallock and Mankato, Minnesota
Sunflower processing plantsFargo and Grandin, North Dakota
Storage and warehouse facilitiesHazel, Minnesota; Joliette, North Dakota; and a leased facility in Winkler, Canada
Renewable Fuels
Ethanol plantsAnnawan and Rochelle, Illinois
Corporate and Other
Corporate headquartersWe lease a 24-acre campus in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota, consisting of one building with approximately 320,000 square feet of office space and own an additional nine acres of land adjacent to the leased property on which we have two smaller buildings with approximately 13,400 and 9,000 square feet of space
Office facilitiesLeased facilities in Eagan and St. Paul, Minnesota; Kansas City, Missouri; Huron, South Dakota; and Washington, District of Columbia
Agricultural land and related improvementsWe own approximately 179 acres of agricultural land and related improvements in central Michigan
Crop Nutrients

We own one deep water port in Galveston, Texas and 18 terminals in: Little Rock, Arkansas; Post Falls, Idaho; Peru, Illinois; Muscatine, Iowa; Melbourne and Owensboro, Kentucky; Lake Providence, Lettsworth, Mermentau, Tallulah and Vidalia, Louisiana; St. Paul and Winona, Minnesota; Greenville, Mississippi; Watertown, South Dakota; Memphis, Tennessee; and Friona and Texarkana, Texas. The facilities located in Little Rock, Arkansas, Owensboro, Kentucky and Galveston, Texas are on leased land.

Processing and Food Ingredients

We own oilseed processing facilities in: Hallock, Fairmont and Mankato, Minnesota. In addition, we own a grain storage facility in Joliette, North Dakota.

Renewable Fuels

We own ethanol plants located in Rochelle and Annawan, Illinois.

Corporate and Other

In addition to the leased office space at our corporate headquarters, we lease two offices in: Kansas City, Missouri; and Huron, South Dakota. We own approximately 11,000 acres of agricultural land and related improvements in central Michigan.

Corporate Headquarters

We are headquartered in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. We lease a 24-acre campus consisting of one building with approximately 320,000 square feet of office space and own an additional 9-acres of land adjacent to the leased property on which we have two smaller buildings with approximately 13,400 and 9,000 square feet of space. We also have offices in Eagan, Minnesota and Washington, D.C., which are leased.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


We are involved as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of our business. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, our management believes any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.



ITEM 4.    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES


Not applicable.



20

Table of Contents


PART II.II


ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’SREGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES


As a cooperative, we do not have any common stock that is traded or otherwise. We have not sold any equity securities during the three years ended August 31, 2018,2020, that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933.





21

Table of ContentsContents



ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA


The following selected income statement data for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, and balance sheet data as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements within this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following selected income statement data for the years ended August 31, 2015, and 2014, and balance sheet data as of August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, are derived from unaudited consolidated financial information not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and has been restated from previously reported results.

The following table sets forth our selected historical consolidated financial datainformation for each of the five periods indicated. Certain prior period amounts have been restated for the correction of misstatements described below. This information should be read in conjunction with the "Explanatory Note" immediately preceding Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and with our consolidated financial statements and Notesnotes thereto included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including further details related to the misstatements discussed in Note 2, Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements.10-K.

 
Selected Consolidated Financial Data

 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 
(As Restated)
2015
 
(As Restated)
2014
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income Statement Data: 
  
  
  
  
Revenues$32,683,347
 $32,037,426
 $30,355,260
 $34,517,452
 $42,619,712
Cost of goods sold31,589,887
 31,142,766
 29,386,515
 33,099,955
 40,889,181
Gross profit1,093,460
 894,660
 968,745
 1,417,497
 1,730,531
Marketing, general and administrative674,083
 612,007
 601,266
 642,309
 598,965
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(37,709) 456,679
 75,036
 158,771
 78,133
Operating earnings (loss)457,086
 (174,026) 292,443
 616,417
 1,053,433
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(131,816) 2,190
 
 
 
Interest expense149,202
 171,239
 113,704
 70,659
 147,240
Other (income) loss(78,015) (99,951) (47,609) (46,752) (146,472)
Equity (income) loss from investments(153,515) (137,338) (175,777) (107,850) (107,446)
Income (loss) before income taxes671,230
 (110,166) 402,125
 700,360
 1,160,111
Income tax expense (benefit)(104,076) (181,124) 19,099
 (4,900) 22,226
Net income (loss)775,306
 70,958
 383,026
 705,260
 1,137,885
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(601) (634) (223) (816) 1,572
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $775,907
 $71,592
 $383,249
 $706,076
 $1,136,313
Balance Sheet Data (as of August 31): 
  
  
  
  
Working capital$759,034
 $148,565
 $338,446
 $2,650,637
 $3,132,548
Net property, plant and equipment5,141,719
 5,356,434
 5,488,323
 5,192,927
 4,180,148
Total assets16,381,178
 15,818,922
 17,149,639
 15,101,216
 15,142,607
Long-term debt, including current maturities1,930,255
 2,179,793
 2,297,205
 1,478,930
 1,603,028
Total equities8,165,028
 7,705,640
 7,759,157
 7,551,439
 6,428,582







22

Table of Contents



Description of Restatement Adjustments

The categories of restatement adjustments and their impact on previously reported    Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars and in accordance with U.S. GAAP. The selected income statement data for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016, and balance sheet data as of August 31, 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017, are detailed in Note 2, Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements contained in the Notes to thederived from our audited consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.and related notes. The categories of restatement adjustments and their impact on previously reported consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015, and selected balance sheet data as of August 31, 2016, are described below.
(a) Freight Derivatives and Related Misstatements - Corrections for freight derivatives and related misstatements were driven by the intentional misstatement of amounts associated with both the value and quantity of rail freight contracts, as well as due to rail freight contracts and certain non-rail freight contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. In addition to the elimination of the underlying freight derivative assets and liabilities and related impacts on revenues and cost of goods sold, additional adjustments were recorded to account for prepaid freight capacity balances in relevant periods and the impact of a goodwill impairment charge recorded as of May 31, 2015, for goodwill held within our Grain Marketing reporting unit. Additional details related to the impact of the freight derivatives and related misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (a).

(b) Intercompany Misstatements - As a result of the work performed in relation to the freight misstatement, additional misstatements related to the elimination of intercompany balances were also identified and corrected within theis derived from unaudited consolidated financial statements. Certain of these intercompany misstatements resultedinformation not included in a misstatement of various financial statement line items; however, the intercompany misstatements did not result in a material misstatement of income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss). Additional details related to the impact of the intercompany misstatements and their impactthis Annual Report on each period are discussed in restatement reference (b).

(c) Other Misstatements - We made adjustments for other previously identified misstatements unrelated to the freight derivatives and related misstatements that were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. These other misstatements related primarily to certain misclassifications, adjustments to revenues and cost of goods sold, and adjustments to various income tax and indirect tax accrual accounts. Additional details related to the impact of the other misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (c).
 As of August 31, 2016
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance Sheet Data:       
Working capital$414,385
 $(75,939) $338,446
 a, b, c
Net property, plant and equipment5,488,323
 
 5,488,323
  
Total assets17,312,135
 (162,496) 17,149,639
 a, b, c
Long-term debt, including current maturities2,297,205
 
 2,297,205
  
Total equities7,866,250
 (107,093) 7,759,157
 a, b, c

Form 10-K. Balance Sheet Datasheet data as of August 31, 2016,
Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted was restated in an $83.6 million reduction of working capital, a $178.7 million reduction of total assets, and a $115.7 million reduction of total equities. The reductions of working capital, total assets and total equities related primarily to the elimination of $169.5 million of current derivative assets that had been recorded as assetsour Annual Report on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The related decreases of working capital and total equities were partially offset by several related adjustments, including a $58.4 million reduction of current derivative liabilities, a $5.6 million increase of prepaid income taxes, a $20.7 million decrease of accrued income taxes and a $15.9 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities associated with the income tax impact of the freight misstatement. The decrease of total assets also included an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill that resulted from a goodwill impairment recorded during fiscal 2015, which was partially offset by the recognition of a $1.3 million prepaid freight capacity balance.

23

Table of Contents




Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $12.1 million increase of working capital, a $21.2 million reduction of total assets, and a $12.1 million increase of total equities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods. The decreases of working capital and total equities related primarily to $4.4 million reduction of accounts payable and a $7.7 million reduction of dividends and equities payable that resulted from timing differences. The decrease of total assets related primarily to a $6.2 million decrease of accounts receivable, a $12.1 million decrease of current derivative assets, and a $6.4 million decrease of margin deposits, which were partially offset by a $2.8 million increase of inventories with offsetting adjustments to current liabilities.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $4.4 million decrease of working capital, a $37.4 million increase of total assets, and a $3.5 million decrease of total equities. Several misclassification adjustments were made between working capital accounts; however, the decreases of working capital and total equities were driven by adjustments to certain income tax balances, including a $9.1 million decrease of prepaid income taxes and a $20.7 million increase of accrued income taxes, which were partially offset by the correction of other misstatements, including a $27.9 million reduction of dividends and equities payable that had been included from the accrual balance as the result of a timing difference. The increase of total assets relates primarily to a $39.4 million increase of inventory with a corresponding increase to accounts payable that resulted from a misclassification adjustmentForm 10-K for an accounts payable balance that had previously been classified as a contra-inventory balance.


24

Table of Contents


 For the Year Ended August 31, 2015 For the Year Ended August 31, 2014  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$34,582,442
 $(64,990) $34,517,452
 $42,664,033
 $(44,321) $42,619,712
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold33,091,676
 8,279
 33,099,955
 41,011,487
 (122,306) 40,889,181
 a, b, c
Gross profit1,490,766
 (73,269) 1,417,497
 1,652,546
 77,985
 1,730,531
  
Marketing, general and administrative642,309
 
 642,309
 598,965
 
 598,965
  
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net133,045
 25,726
 158,771
 3,633
 74,500
 78,133
 a, c
Operating earnings (loss)715,412
 (98,995) 616,417
 1,049,948
 3,485
 1,053,433
  
Interest expense70,659
 
 70,659
 147,240
 
 147,240
  
Other (income) loss(15,565) (31,187) (46,752) (121,149) (25,323) (146,472) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(107,850) 
 (107,850) (107,446) 
 (107,446)  
Income (loss) before income taxes768,168
 (67,808) 700,360
 1,131,303
 28,808
 1,160,111
  
Income tax expense (benefit)(12,165) 7,265
 (4,900) 48,296
 (26,070) 22,226
 a, c
Net income (loss)780,333
 (75,073) 705,260
 1,083,007
 54,878
 1,137,885
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(712) (104) (816) 1,572
 
 1,572
  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $781,045
 $(74,969) $706,076
 $1,081,435
 $54,878
 $1,136,313
  
Balance Sheet Data (as of August 31):       
      
Working capital$2,751,949
 $(101,312) $2,650,637
 $3,168,512
 $(35,964) $3,132,548
 a, c
Net property, plant and equipment5,192,927
 
 5,192,927
 4,180,148
 
 4,180,148
  
Total assets15,226,125
 (124,909) 15,101,216
 15,293,507
 (150,900) 15,142,607
 a, c
Long-term debt, including current maturities1,428,930
 50,000
 1,478,930
 1,603,028
 
 1,603,028
 c
Total equities7,669,411
 (117,972) 7,551,439
 6,466,844
 (38,262) 6,428,582
 a, c

For the year ended August 31, 2015

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $67.8 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $56.0 million reduction of net income. The decreased income before income taxes and net income were primarily the result of a $42.5 million increase of cost of goods sold and an increase of reserve and impairment charges related2018, to a goodwill impairment charge of approximately $16.0 million within our Grain Marketing reporting unit following a reassessment of the goodwill balance as of May 31, 2015. The remaining adjustment to income before income taxes relates to a $9.0 million decrease of revenues that should have been recorded during fiscal 2014 and the remaining adjustment to net income relates to an $11.8 million decrease of income tax expense resulting from the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $37.9 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.



25

Table of Contents


Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes; however, a $19.1 million reduction of net income resulted from the correction of income tax misstatements. The incremental income taxes of $19.1 million were recorded to adjust for the impact of income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods. Additionally,correct certain misclassification adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses, including an $18.1 million decrease of revenues, a $3.7 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $9.4 million increase of reserve and impairment charges, net and a $31.2 million increase of other income.

Balance Sheet Data as of August 31, 2015
Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in an $88.7 million reduction of working capital, a $141.6 million reduction of total assets, and a $104.6 million reduction of total equities. The reductions of working capital, total assets and total equities related primarily to the elimination of $132.0 million of current derivative assets that had been recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The decreases of working capital and total equities were partially offset by several related adjustments, including a $32.5 million reduction of current derivative liabilities, a $5.5 million reduction of income taxes payable that resulted from the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $5.4 million prepaid freight capacity balance. In addition to the reductions of current assets, the decrease of total assets also included an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill associated with a goodwill impairment recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None
Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $12.7 million decrease of working capital, a $16.7 million increase of total assets, a $50.0 million increase of long-term debt, including current maturities and a $13.4 million decrease of total equities. The decrease of working capital related primarily to a $13.5 million increase of dividends and equities payable that had been excluded from the accrual balance as the result of a timing difference. The $16.7 million increase of total assets related to a timing difference associated with the application of in-transit cash and receivables that had resulted in a $13.9 million understatement of cash and a $2.8 million understatement of receivables (with the offsetting entries impacting customer advance payments and accounts payable). The $50.0 million increase of long-term debt, including current maturities related to a misclassification adjustment for certain notes payable balances to their appropriate classification as long-term debt (including current portion). The $13.4 million decrease of total equities related primarily to the $13.5 million timing difference associated with the accrual of dividends and equities payable described above.

For the year ended August 31, 2014

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $28.8 million increase of income before income taxes and a $17.8 million increase of net income. The increased income before income taxes was primarily the result of a $19.8 million decrease of cost of goods sold and a $9.0 million increase of revenues that had been incorrectly recognized during fiscal 2015. The increased net income resulted primarily from the increase of income before income taxes, which was partially offset by an $11.0 million increase of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $35.6 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes; however, the correction of certain tax items that resulted in an income tax benefit of $37.1 million and a corresponding increase of net income. The income tax benefit of $37.1 million was recorded to adjust for the impact of income tax items that had previously been recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods. In addition to the income tax adjustment, certain

26

Table of Contents


misclassification adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $17.7 million decrease of revenues, a $66.9 million decrease of cost of goods sold, a $74.5 million increase of reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net and a $25.3 million increase of other income.

Balance Sheet Data as of August 31, 2014

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $22.6 million reduction of working capital, a $150.9 million reduction of total assets, and a $49.9 million reduction of total equities. The reductions of working capital, total assets and total equities related primarily to the elimination of $224.5 million of current derivative assets that had been incorrectly recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The decreases of working capital and total equities were partially offset by several related adjustments, including a $109.5 million reduction of current derivative liabilities, the recognition of a $62.8 million prepaid freight capacity balance, the recognition of a $10.8 million accounts receivable balance and a $20.1 million reduction of income taxes payable.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None
Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $13.4 million decrease of working capital and an $11.7 million increase of total equities. The decrease of working capital and increase of total equities related to a $7.5 million increase of dividends and equities payable that had been excluded from the accrual balance as the result of a timing difference and an increased income tax accrual of $5.9 million that resulted from income tax itemsamounts that had been previously recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.misstated.



Selected Consolidated Financial Data
20202019201820172016
Income Statement Data
(years ended August 31):
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$28,406,365 $31,900,453 $32,683,347 $32,037,426 $30,355,260 
Cost of goods sold27,424,558 30,516,120 31,591,227 31,143,549 29,383,459 
Gross profit981,807 1,384,333 1,092,120 893,877 971,801 
Operating earnings (loss)277,265 659,602 452,364 (173,878)299,234 
Income (loss) before income taxes386,878 815,601 671,230 (110,166)402,125 
Net income423,609 828,057 775,306 70,958 383,026 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests1,170 (1,823)(601)(634)(223)
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. 422,439 829,880 775,907 71,592 383,249 
Balance Sheet Data (as of August 31):   
Working capital$1,346,506 $1,078,888 $759,034 $148,565 $338,446 
Net property, plant and equipment4,957,938 5,088,708 5,141,719 5,356,434 5,488,323 
Total assets15,993,947 16,447,494 16,381,178 15,818,922 17,149,639 
Long-term debt, including current maturities1,791,123 1,789,111 1,930,255 2,179,793 2,297,205 
Total equities8,819,173 8,617,530 8,165,028 7,705,640 7,759,157 



27
22

Table of ContentsContents



ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is intended to provide a reader of our financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management on our financial condition and results of operations, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect our future results. Our MD&A is presented in the following sections:


RestatementOverview
Overview
Business Strategy
Fiscal 20182020 Highlights
Fiscal 2019 Priorities2021 Outlook
Fiscal 2019 OutlookOperating Metrics
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off BalanceOff-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
Contractual Obligations
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Effect of Inflation and Foreign Currency Transactions
Recent Accounting Pronouncements    


Our MD&A should be read in conjunction with the accompanying audited financial statements and notes to those financial statements and the Cautionary Statement regarding forward-looking statements found in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Restatement

The accompanying MD&A gives effect to certain adjustments made to our previously reported consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016. Due to the restatement of these periods, the data set forth in the accompanying MD&A may not be comparable to discussions and data included in our previously filed Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2017.

Refer to the "Explanatory Note" immediately preceding Item 1 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and Note 2, Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 18, Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) of the accompanying audited financial statements for further details related to the restatement and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.


Overview


CHS Inc. is a diversified company that provides grain, foodsfood, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global scale. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders thatwho own our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("The Nasdaq"). We operate in the following three reportable segments:


Energy - producesEnergy. Produces and provides primarily for the wholesale distribution and transportation of petroleum products.
Ag - purchasesAg. Purchases and further processes or resells grains and oilseeds originated by our country operations business, by our member cooperatives and by third parties andparties; also serves as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs.
agronomy products.
Nitrogen Production - consistsProduction. Consists solely of our equity method investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC ("CF Nitrogen"), and produces and distributes nitrogen fertilizer, a commodity chemical.
fertilizer.


In addition, our financing and hedging operationsbusinesses, along with our non-consolidatednonconsolidated wheat milling and food production and distribution joint ventures, have been aggregated within Corporate and Other. Prior to its sale on May 4, 2018, our insurance operations were also included within Corporate and Other.
    
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies.companies in which we have a controlling interest. The effects of all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.



28

Table of Contents


Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each reportablereporting segment, along with Corporate and Other, based on direct usage foruse of services, such as information technology and legal, and other factors or considerations relevant to the costs incurred.


Management's Focus. When evaluating our operating performance, management focuses on gross profit and income (loss) before income taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and global trade volumes. As such,Consequently, we focus on managing the margin we can earn and the resulting income before income taxes.IBIT. Management also focuses on ensuring the strength of the balance sheet strength through the appropriate management of financial liquidity, leverage, capital allocation and cash flow optimization.


Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and income generally trend lower during the second and fourth fiscal quarters and higher during the first and third fiscal quarters.quarters; however, our IBIT does not necessarily follow the same trend due to weather and other events that can impact profitability. For example, in our Ag segment, our crop nutrients and country operations businessesbusiness generally experienceexperiences higher volumes and income during the fall harvest and spring planting season,seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters,
23

Table of Contents

respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season. Our global grain marketing operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and earningsincome based on producer harvests, world grain prices, demand and global trade volumes. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usageuse by our agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, also generally experience higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and fall crop dryingcrop-drying seasons. The graphs below depict the seasonality inherent in our business.businesses.
revenuecharta02.jpgchscp-20200831_g1.jpg
ibitcharta02.jpgchscp-20200831_g2.jpg
* Note that the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was impacted by significant charges that caused IBIT for that period to deviate from historical trends.


29

Table of Contents


Pricing and Volumes. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices forand sales volumes of commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grains, oilseed products and crop nutrients.agronomy products. Changes in market prices for commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices and sales volumes are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including the weather, crop damage due to plant disease or insects, drought, availability/adequacy of supply of the relateda commodity, availability of reliable rail and river transportation network, outbreaks of disease, government regulations/policies, world events, global trade disputes and general political/economic conditions.


Business Strategy


Our business strategy isstrategies focus on an enterprisewide effort to helpcreate an experience that empowers customers to make CHS their first choice, expands market access to add value for our owners, grow by maximizing returns and optimizing our various operations to ensure thattransforms and evolves our core businesses are strategically positioned today and for the future. We are focusingby capitalizing on improving efficiency and, when necessary, disposing of assets thatchanging market dynamics. To execute on these strategies, we are not strategic and/or do not meet our internal measurement expectations. We are also focused on implementing agile, efficient and sustainable new technology platforms; building robust and efficient supply chains; hiring, developing and retaining high-performing, diverse and passionate teams; achieving operational excellence and continuous improvement; and maintaining financial flexibility by optimizing debt levels and ensuring adequate financial liquidity so we can effectively operate throughout the agriculture and energy economic cycles.a strong balance sheet.

24

Table of Contents

Fiscal 20182020 Highlights


ThroughoutImproved weather conditions during the spring planting season compared to the prior year drove increased earnings across much of our Ag segment during the second half of fiscal 2018 we experienced higher crack spreads2020.
Strong supply chain performance in our propane business driven by efficiently sourcing propane for our customers during a period of significant propane demand for crop drying and favorable crude oil discounts thathome heating positively contributed to our results, particularly in the first half of fiscal 2020.
Less advantageous market conditions in our refined fuels business, driven primarily by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, resulted in volume and price declines that significantly improved margins and results inreduced earnings compared to the prior year.
Poor weather conditions during fiscal 2019 negatively impacted our Energy segment.
We completed the disposal of certain assets primarily within our Energy segment and Corporate and Other resulting in cash proceeds of approximately $234.9 million and a gain of approximately $131.8 million recognizedAg segment's operations during the first second, and third quartershalf of fiscal 2018. The cash proceeds were used to optimize our debt levels by reducing our need for incremental debt2020, including lower crop yields and minimizing existing funded debt.poor grain quality following a late harvest, as well as lower crop nutrient sales that traditionally occur during the fall.
In the second quarterAs more fully described in Item 9A, Controls and Procedures, of fiscal 2018,this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we experienced acontinued dedicating significant tax benefit through the revaluation of our U.S. net deferred tax liability resulting from the enactment of the Tax Cutsinternal and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act").

Fiscal 2019 Priorities

Strengtheningexternal resources, as well as management and Board focus, on improving our internal control environment.environment resulting in remediation of the last remaining material weaknesses identified in our fiscal 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Enhancing owner experience through deeper relationships, including seamless interactions with us throughWe responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing remote working arrangements for approximately half our global employees, increasing hygiene and infection control processes at all our facilities, increasing use of more effective technology solutions.personal protective equipment and developing risk mitigation and exposure policies applicable to our enterprise. The costs of these activities have not been and are not expected to be material in future periods. In addition, our operations were deemed to be essential infrastructure industries by federal and state governments, which allowed us to continue operating all our facilities and operations.
A continued emphasis on sharpening our operational excellence by equipping our employees to develop needed expertise to serve CHS owners, improve processes, adapt to change and embrace diversity.
Drive enterprise business growth by focusing on our core businesses, continuing to improve efficiency in all that we do and earning higher market share.


Fiscal 20192021 Outlook


Our Energy and Ag and Energy businessessegments operate in cyclical environments. environments in which unforeseen market conditions can have a significant positive or negative impact. As with virtually all other companies in the United States, we are dealing with the effects of COVID-19. In fiscal 2021, we will focus on navigating COVID-19 to ensure the well-being of our people and business, including a detailed plan to return safely from remote work. Most of our operations are considered to be essential; however, periods of depressed demand and pricing within the U.S. ethanol production, refined fuels or other industries in which we operate could result in decreased profitability and the need to assess certain assets for potential impairments.

The Energyenergy industry began recoveringexperienced significant volume and price swings as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in fiscal 2018 with higher crack spreads2020 that will likely continue to negatively impact profitability in fiscal 2021. We are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the severity of the financial and favorable crude oil discounts that ledoperational impacts; however, we expect the uncertain and volatile market conditions in the energy industry to higher margins and improved earnings. We expect that these favorable market fundamentals experienced throughoutcontinue into fiscal 20182021, which will continue to support strong earnings in our Energy business during fiscal 2019. put pressure on associated asset valuations.

The Agagricultural industry however, continues to operate in a challenging environment that has been characterized by generally lower margins, reduced liquidity and increased leverage that have resulted from a period of reduced commodity prices. In addition,More favorable weather conditions during the fiscal 2020 spring planting season and the beginning of the fiscal 2021 harvest season compared to the prior year could provide an opportunity for increased volumes and improved earnings across much of our Ag segment during fiscal 2021. However, trade relations between the United States and foreign trade partners, particularly those that purchase large quantities of agricultural commodities, while improving, are strained resultingstill not normalized, which could continue to result in unpredictable impacts to agricultural commodity prices within the Ag industry now and in the future.volumes sold as we move into fiscal 2021. We are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or how severe itthe effects will ultimately be at this time. As a result,on our pricing and volumes. In addition to global supply and demand impacts, regional factors such as unpredictable weather conditions could impact our operations. Although we expect ourimproved revenues, margins and cash flows from core operations in our Ag segment, additional or continued challenges experienced in the agricultural market are expected to continue to be underput pressure on associated asset valuations during fiscal 2019.2021.



In addition to market conditions that impact our businesses, we continue to identify opportunities to sustainably reduce costs and improve cash management strategies to protect our financial health while continuing to deliver on our enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system implementation and advance toward our targeted operating model. Implementation of our ERP system is expected to occur in phases over the next several years and will require continued significant capital investment.


30
25

Table of ContentsContents



Results of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Operations
 For the Years Ended August 31,
   (As Restated) (As Restated)
 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$32,683,347
 $32,037,426
 $30,355,260
Cost of goods sold31,589,887
 31,142,766
 29,386,515
Gross profit1,093,460
 894,660
 968,745
Marketing, general and administrative674,083
 612,007
 601,266
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(37,709) 456,679
 75,036
Operating earnings (loss)457,086
 (174,026) 292,443
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(131,816) 2,190
 
Interest expense149,202
 171,239
 113,704
Other (income) loss(78,015) (99,951) (47,609)
Equity (income) loss from investments(153,515) (137,338) (175,777)
Income (loss) before income taxes671,230
 (110,166) 402,125
Income tax expense (benefit)(104,076) (181,124) 19,099
Net income (loss)775,306
 70,958
 383,026
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(601) (634) (223)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $775,907
 $71,592
 $383,249

The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by reportable segment for fiscal 2018. Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment, and as such records earnings and allocated expenses but not revenue.
segmentrevenuecharta02.jpg
segmentibita02.jpg

31

Table of Contents



Energy Segment Operating Metrics


Energy

Our Energy segment operations primarily include our Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, refineries, which process crude oil to produce refined products, including gasoline, distillates and other products. The following tables providetable provides information about our consolidated refinery operations.
Years Ended August 31,
20202019
Refinery throughput volumes(Barrels per day)
Heavy, high-sulfur crude oil92,298 92,047 
All other crude oil70,255 58,366 
Other feedstocks and blendstocks13,179 10,724 
Total refinery throughput volumes175,732 161,137 
Refined fuel yields
Gasolines86,615 76,563 
Distillates71,410 66,661 
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 2017 2016
Refinery throughput volumes(Barrels per day)
Heavy, high-sulfur crude oil84,339
 83,787
 64,104
All other crude oil66,785
 69,980
 72,115
Other feedstocks and blendstocks17,713
 14,184
 16,719
Total refinery throughput volumes168,837
 167,951
 152,938
Refined fuel yields     
Gasolines86,115
 86,105
 79,483
Distillates65,060
 65,738
 57,650


We are subject to the Renewable Fuels Standard, ("RFS"), which requires refiners to blend renewable fuels (e.g., ethanol, biodiesel) into their finished transportation fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as Renewable Identification Numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. We generate RINS under the RFS in our renewable fuels operations andRINs through our blending activities, at our terminals; but we cannot generate enough RINs to meet the needs of our refining capacity and RINs must be purchased on the open market. The price of RINs can be volatile and can impact profitability.


In addition to our internal operational reliability, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (e.g.(i.e., the price differential between refined products and inputs such as crude oil) and Western Canadian Select ("WCS") crude oil differentials (i.e., the price differential between West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil and WCS crude oil), which are driven by the supply and demand of refined product markets. Crack spreads continued to improveand WCS crude oil differentials decreased significantly during fiscal 20182020 compared to the two prior fiscal years as a result of the tightening supply and demand in the global and North American refined product markets.year. The table below provides information about the average market reference prices and differentials that impact our Energy segment.    
For the Years Ended August 31,Years Ended August 31,
2018 2017 201620202019
Market indicators Market indicators
West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil (dollars per barrel)$62.23 $49.03 $41.50
WTI - Western Canadian Select (WCS) crude oil differential (dollars per barrel)$17.92 $12.90 $14.13
WTI crude oil (dollars per barrel)WTI crude oil (dollars per barrel)$44.45 $58.59 
WTI - WCS crude oil differential (dollars per barrel)WTI - WCS crude oil differential (dollars per barrel)$14.31 $20.23 
Group 3 2:1:1 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$19.08 $14.21 $13.17Group 3 2:1:1 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$12.36 $18.74 
Group 3 5:3:2 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$18.46 $14.01 $13.10Group 3 5:3:2 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$11.60 $17.67 
D6 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.5280 $0.7214 $0.6783D6 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.2903 $0.1713 
D4 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.7221 $1.0352 $0.7621D4 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.5344 $0.4273 
*Group 3 refers to the oil refining and distribution system serving the Midwest markets from the Gulf Coast through the Plains States.states.














26

Table of Contents

Ag

Our Ag segment operations work together to facilitate the production, purchase, sale and eventual use of grain and other agricultural commodities within the United States, as well as internationally. Profitability in our Ag segment is largely driven by throughput and production volumes, as well as commodity price spreads; however, revenues and cost of goods sold ("COGS") are largely affected by market-driven commodity prices that are outside our control. The table below provides information about average market prices for agricultural commodities and our sales/throughput volumes that impacted our Ag segment for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019.
Years Ended August 31,
Market Source*20202019
Commodity prices
Corn (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade$3.55$3.76
Soybeans (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade$8.92$8.75
Wheat (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade$5.32$5.47
Urea (dollars per ton)Green Markets NOLA$226.00$265.00
Urea Ammonium Nitrate ("UAN") (dollars per ton)Green Markets NOLA$137.60$182.72
Ethanol (dollars per gallon)Chicago Platts$1.30$1.34
Volumes
Grain and oilseed (thousands of bushels)2,531,023 2,636,084 
North American grain and oilseed port throughput (thousands of bushels)564,563 581,175 
Wholesale crop nutrients (thousands of tons)7,561 6,931 
Ethanol (thousands of gallons)846,159 935,115 
*Market source information represents the average month-end price during the period.





























27

Table of Contents

Results of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years Ended August 31,
20202019
Dollars% of Revenues*Dollars% of Revenues*
(In thousands)(In thousands)
Revenues$28,406,365 100.0 %$31,900,453 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold27,424,558 96.5 30,516,120 95.7 
Gross profit981,807 3.5 1,384,333 4.3 
Marketing, general and administrative expenses704,542 2.5 724,731 2.3 
Operating earnings277,265 1.0 659,602 2.1 
Gain on disposal of business(1,450)— (3,886)— 
Interest expense116,977 0.4 167,065 0.5 
Other income(38,425)(0.1)(82,423)(0.3)
Equity income from investments(186,715)(0.7)(236,755)(0.7)
Income before income taxes386,878 1.4 815,601 2.6 
Income tax benefit(36,731)(0.1)(12,456)— 
Net income423,609 1.5 828,057 2.6 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests1,170 — (1,823)— 
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $422,439 1.5 %$829,880 2.6 %
*Amounts less than 0.1% are shown as zero percent. Percentage subtotals may differ due to rounding.

    The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by reportable segment for fiscal 2020. Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.
chscp-20200831_g3.jpg
chscp-20200831_g4.jpg


28

Table of Contents

Income (Loss) Before Income Taxes by Segment


Energy
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income before income taxes$225,317 $618,188 $(392,871)(63.6)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes$452,108
 $61,118
 $273,375
 $390,990
 639.7% $(212,257) (77.6)%


32

Table of Contents



The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in our Energy segment IBIT for the Energy segment for each of the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 2017,2020, compared to the prior year:year.
chscp-20200831_g5.jpg
  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(8) $15
Price 255
 (99)
Transportation, retail and other 60
 (67)
Change in reserves and impairments, net+
 33
 (33)
Non-gross profit related activity+
 51
 (28)
Total change in Energy IBIT $391
 $(212)
+ *See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net, (gain) loss on disposal of business, interest expense, other income (loss) and equity (income) lossincome from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

Comparison of Energy segment IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017


The $391.0 million increasechange in the Energy segment IBIT for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
ImprovedSignificantly less advantageous market conditions throughout fiscal 2018 in our refined fuels business mostly duecompared to higherthe prior year drove lower margins and volumes. These market conditions were driven by the negative demand shock associated with COVID-19that resulted in a combination of decreased WCS crude oil differentials experienced on heavy Canadian crude oil, which is processed by our refineries, and decreased crack spreads and.
An $80.8 million gain recognized that was associated higher margins. These benefits were partially offset by planned major maintenance activities at our Laurel, Montana refinery during May 2018 andwith certain federal excise tax credits as a reduction of cost of goods sold ("COGS")COGS during fiscal 2017 resulting from the benefit of certain manufacturing changes in our propane business2019 that did not reoccur induring fiscal 2018.2020.
Gains totaling $65.9 million recorded in other income in connection with the sale of certain assets during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, including the sale of 34 Zip Trip stores located in the Pacific Northwest, United States ("Pacific Northwest") and the sale of the Council Bluffs pipeline and refined fuels terminal in Council Bluffs, Iowa.
A benefit of $19.1 million recognized during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 associated with the small refinery exemption for our Laurel, Montana refinery.
An impairment charge of $32.7 million was recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 relatedThe decreased IBIT due to the cancellation of a capital project which did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.

Comparison of Energy segment IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $212.3 million decrease in the Energy segment IBIT for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
Significantly reduced margins within refined fuels caused by a down cycle in the energy industry throughout fiscal 2017, which drove prices lower, partially offset by increases in propane margins driven by certain manufacturing changes. The lower margins and volumes in our refined fuels business werewas partially offset by higherincreased propane volumes and improved propane margins due to unrealized hedging gains, increased fixed-price contracts and significant demand for energy products, which caused volumes to increase (most significantly in refined fuels).
A $32.7 million impairment charge associated with the cancellation of a capital projectcrop drying and home heating, particularly during the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
On November 23, 2016, the EPA released the final renewable fuel mandate for calendar year 2017, and as a result the market price for RINs increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2017.2020.

A lower of cost or market charge of $42.0 million was recorded in COGS to reduce the carrying value of our energy inventories to their market value as of May 31, 2020. Based upon market prices observed as of August 31, 2020, the lower of cost or market reserve was decreased by approximately $34.0 million as prices improved while inventories were sold.









29

Table of Contents

Ag
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income before income taxes$53,724 $43,016 $10,708 24.9 %
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes$74,258
 $(270,161) $15,252
 $344,419
 127.5% $(285,413) (1,871.3)%



33

Table of Contents


The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in our Ag segment IBIT for the Ag segment for each of the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 2017,2020, compared to the prior year:year.
chscp-20200831_g6.jpg
  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $3
 $3
Price (83) 74
Change in reserves and impairments, net+
 452
 (441)
Non-gross profit related activity+
 (28) 79
Total change in Ag IBIT $344
 $(285)
+ *See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net, (gain) loss on disposal of business, interest expense, other income (loss) and equity (income) lossincome from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

Comparison of Ag segment IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017


The $344.4 million increasechange in Ag segment IBIT for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
Significant reserveImproved margins across certain Ag segment businesses, including feed and impairment charges thatfarm supplies, grain and oilseed and renewable fuels resulted from a combination of optimism for improved trade relations between the United States and foreign trade partners and favorable weather conditions for spring planting during the year ended August 31, 2020. These improved margins were recorded during fiscal 2017, the most significant of whichpartially offset by reduced margins related to charges of $229.4 million recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 in association with a trading partner in our Brazilian operations entering bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law. These reserve and impairment charges did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.
We had previously recorded certain reserves and impairments in fiscal 2017 as disclosedagronomy products due to oversupply in the reservesmarket and impairment charges (recoveries), net portion of the management discussionprocessing and analysis. During fiscal 2018, we were able to recover $37.7 million of these reserves and impairments by receiving higher than expected sale prices on certain assets and insurance proceeds, including $3.8 million during the first quarter of fiscal 2018, $11.3 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, $3.8 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and $18.8 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.
Impairments of $26.3 million related to international investments during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 that we have exited or are in the process of exiting.
Decreasedfood ingredients, which experienced decreased margins across multiple businesses in the Ag segment throughout fiscal 2018, as a result of lower demand and uncertainties primarily associated with international trade, whichthe COVID-19 pandemic.
Decreased volumes across much of the Ag segment were partially offset by increased margins withindue to the impacts of poor weather conditions in fiscal 2019 that led to a smaller harvest in fiscal 2020, impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our processing and food ingredients business that have resulted from lower input costs;and global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly induring the third quarterfirst half of fiscal year 2018.

Comparison of Ag segment IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $285.4 million decrease in Ag segment IBIT for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
Grain marketing IBIT decreased primarily due to charges of $229.4 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 associated with a trading partner in our Brazilian operations entering bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law. Grain marketing also experienced impairments within certain international investments of $20.2 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 due to persistent underperformance,2020. These volume decreases were partially offset by slightly higher grainincreased volumes and associated margins.
Country operations IBIT decreasedwith agronomy products that were primarily dueattributable to changesour acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in reserves related to a single producer borrower of $81.0 million along with $30.4 million of long-lived asset impairments, mostWest Central Distribution, LLC ("WCD"), that we did not previously own on March 1, 2019, the results of which were recorded duringnot included in the second quarterentire comparable period of fiscal 2017. These impairments were significantly offset by higher grain margins and volumes.
A decrease in processing and food ingredients IBIT primarily caused by long-lived asset impairment charges of $80.1 million during the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2017 that exceeded the prior year's non-recurring bad debt charge related to a specific customer. Higher margins partially offset this decrease.year.
Increased crop nutrients and renewable fuels IBIT, driven primarily by higher volumes and margins.




34
30

Table of ContentsContents



All Other Segments
For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016Years Ended August 31,Change
2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change20202019DollarsPercent
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Nitrogen Production IBIT*$38,838
 $29,741
 $34,070
 $9,097
 30.6% $(4,329) (12.7)%Nitrogen Production IBIT*$51,837 $72,870 $(21,033)(28.9)%
Corporate and Other IBIT$106,026
 $69,136
 $79,428
 $36,890
 53.4% $(10,292) (13.0)%Corporate and Other IBIT$56,000 $81,527 $(25,527)(31.3)%
*See Note 5,6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.


Comparison of All Other Segments IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

Our Nitrogen Production segment IBIT increaseddecreased as a result of significantly higherlower equity method income throughout fiscal 2018 attributed to increasedreduced sale prices of urea and UAN, which are produced and sold by CF Nitrogen. Fiscal 2017 also included a gain of $30.5 million associated with an embedded derivative asset inherent in the agreement relating to our investment in CF Nitrogen, of which $29.1 million was recognized during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. The gain was solely responsible for the income in our Nitrogen Production segment in fiscal 2017 and there was no comparable gain in fiscal 2018. Corporate and Other IBIT increaseddecreased primarily as a result of the $58.2 million gain recognized on the sale of CHS Insurance during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 which was partially offset by lower earnings from our investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills, and our CHS Capital and CHS Insurance businesses.

Comparison of All Other Segments IBIT for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

Our Nitrogen Production segment IBIT decreased as a result of lower equity method income caused by downward pressures on the pricing of urea and UAN throughout fiscal 2017. This decrease was partially offset by a gain of $30.5 million in fiscal 2017 associated with an embedded derivative asset inherent in the agreement relating to our investment in CF Nitrogen for which there was no comparable gain in the prior fiscal year, including $29.1 million that was recognized during the first quarter of fiscal 2017. Corporate and Other IBIT decreased due to lower margins resulting from pricing pressure from customers in our investment in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), which was partially offset by improved equity method earningsexperienced a significant reduction in demand due to COVID-19, and decreased income from our investment in Ardent Mills.financing business due to lower interest rates during the year ended August 31, 2020, compared to the year ended August 31, 2019.







































31

Table of Contents

Revenues by Segment


Energy
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$5,431,134 $7,119,076 $(1,687,942)(23.7)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$7,589,119
 $6,227,838
 $5,408,879
 $1,361,281
 21.9% $818,959
 15.1%


The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in revenue, net of intersegment revenues, for the Energy segment for each of the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017, compared to the prior year:
  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(84) $223
Price 1,449
 622
Transportation, retail and other (4) (26)
Total change in Energy revenues $1,361
 $819

Comparison ofour Energy segment revenues for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 20172020, compared to the prior year.

chscp-20200831_g7.jpg
The $1.4 billion increasechange in Energy segment revenues for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
RefinedDecreased selling prices for refined fuels revenues rose $1.2 billion (24%), primarilyand propane were driven by an increaseglobal market conditions, including the impact of the demand shocks occurring during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as product mix, which contributed to $1.3 billion and $135.5 million decreases in the net average selling price ($1.3 billion),revenues, respectively.
A 4% decrease of refined fuels volumes contributed to a $235.7 million decrease in revenues, which was partially offset by a decrease3% increase of propane volumes that contributed to a $22.6 million increase in revenues. Decreased volumes ($51.3 million). The selling price of refined fuels products increased an averagewere attributable primarily to lower demand resulting from demand shock in the transportation sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and during the fall 2019 harvest as a result of $0.41 (25%) per gallonpoor weather conditions and salesa smaller crop across much of the agricultural region of the United States in which we operate. Increased volumes decreased 1% compared toof propane resulted from significant propane demand for crop drying and home heating, particularly during the previous year.first half of fiscal 2020.












35
32

Table of ContentsContents



Propane revenues increased $177.6 million (30%), of which $176.3 million was attributable to a $0.21 (30%) per gallon increase in the net average selling price compared to the prior year, as well as a $1.4 million (0.2%) increase attributable to slightly higher volumes.

Comparison of Energy segment revenues for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $819.0 million increase in Energy revenues for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
Refined fuels revenues rose $724.7 million (17%), of which $517.0 million related to an increase in the net average selling price and $207.8 million related to higher sales volumes compared to the prior year. The selling price of refined fuels products increased an average of $0.16 (11%) per gallon, and sales volumes increased 5%, compared to the previous year.
Propane revenues increased $112.2 million (24%), of which $105.3 million was attributable to a rise in the net average selling price and $6.9 million was attributable to higher volumes. Propane sales volume increased 1% and the average selling price of propane increased $0.12 (22%) per gallon, when compared to the previous year.

Ag
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$22,926,099 $24,720,072 $(1,793,973)(7.3)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$25,037,481
 $25,718,428
 $24,856,018
 $(680,947) (2.6)% $862,410
 3.5%


The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in revenues, net of intersegment revenues, for the Ag segment for each of the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017, compared to the prior year:
  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(522) $858
Price (159) 4
Total change in Ag revenues $(681) $862

Comparison ofour Ag segment revenues for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 20172020, compared to the prior year.

chscp-20200831_g8.jpg
The $680.9 million decreasechange in Ag segment revenues for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
GrainLower grain and oilseed and feed and farm supply volumes contributed to $671.6 million and $629.3 million decreases in revenues, decreased by $757.0respectively. These decreases resulted from poor spring weather conditions during fiscal 2019 that led to lower crop yields and fewer acres harvested during fall of fiscal 2020 and the impact of global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly during the first half of fiscal 2020.
Lower renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients volumes contributed to $119.5 million and $117.3 million decreases in revenues, respectively. These decreases resulted from reduced demand for renewable fuels and processing and food ingredient products as a result of a 4% decline in volumes while average sales prices remained flat on a year-over-year basis. the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decrease in volumes was primarily due to uncertainty associated with international trade.
Renewable fuels revenues decreased $99.9 million as the result of a 9% decline in volumes, which was partially offset by an average sales price increase of 2%. The decrease in volumes was due to lower exports and the higher average sales price was driven by higher prices experienced during the first and second quarters of fiscal 2018.
The decreases in grain and oilseed and renewable fuels revenues were partially offset by a $160.4 million increase in crop nutrients revenue. The increased revenues within crop nutrients resulted from an 8% increase in crop nutrient prices and slightly increased volumes. Higher crop nutrient prices were driven by improved market conditions characterized by less oversupply in the market and the increased volumes were primarily the result of supply chain management improvements and improved market conditions compared to the prior year.
Increased processing and food ingredients revenues of $8.5 million and increased feed and farm supplies revenue of $7.1 million also partially offset the decreased grain and oilseed and renewable fuels revenues. Processing and food ingredients and feed and farm supplies increased as a result of higher volumes; however, price declines of 13% in processing and food ingredients and 5% in feed and farm supplies offset most of the volume increases.


36

Table of Contents


Comparison of Ag segment revenues for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $862.4 million increase in Ag segment revenues for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
Grain and oilseed revenues increased by $1.4 billion (8%), which was attributable to $612.1 million associated with higher average grain selling prices and an $819.7 million increase in volumes. The increase in volumes was due to the large U.S. crop production, while the rise in average sales price was primarily due to higher spring wheat and soybean prices.
Our processing and food ingredients revenues decreased $201.3 million, primarily due to a $181.1 million decline resulting from the prior-year sale of an international location during the third quarter of fiscal 2016 which contributed to the overall decline in volumes of $274.7 million (17%). An average sales price increase of $0.75 (6%) per unit related to processed oilseed commodities helped to partially offset the decreases associated with volume declines.
Wholesale crop nutrient revenues decreased $185.2 million due to lower average fertilizer selling prices of $508.4 million, partially offset by higher volumes of $323.2 million. Our wholesale crop nutrient volumes increased 15% and the average sales price of all fertilizers sold reflected a decrease of 21% per ton compared to the prior year. The increase in volumes was due to improved market demand from the prior year as well as supply chain management improvements.
Our renewable fuels revenues from our marketing and production operations decreased $7.3 million primarily as the result of 4% lower volumes, partially offset by an increased average sales price of $0.06 (4%) per gallon resulting from market supply and demand forces. The decrease in volumes was due to lower exports.
The remaining Ag segment product revenues, related primarily to feed and farm supplies, decreased $175.5 million mainly due to reduced country operations retail sales and a decline in plant food and sunflower pricing. The decreases were partially offset by increased volumes associated with agronomy products due to heightened spring 2020 demand and the increase in revenues that resulted from the March 1, 2019, acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own, the results of which were not included in the entire comparable period of the prior year.
Decreased pricing driven by global market conditions and product mix contributed to $584.7 million and $578.6 million decreases in revenues for agronomy and grain and oilseed, respectively. However, these price decreases were partially offset by market-driven price increases in diesel sold as a result of higher grain movementfor other products, including feed and a rise in propane sold for home heating and crop drying.farm supplies, that increased revenues by $433.7 million.


All Other SegmentsSegments*
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Corporate and Other revenues*$56,747
 $91,160
 $90,363
 $(34,413) (37.8)% $797
 0.9%
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Corporate and Other revenues$49,132 $61,305 $(12,173)(19.9)%
*Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment and as suchthat records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.

Comparison of All Other Segments revenues for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

Corporate and Other revenues decreased primarily as a result of the sale of loans receivable during the majority of fiscal 2018 within the CHS Capital business, as well as the sale of CHS Insurance in May 2018.

Comparison of All Other Segments revenues for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2017, and 20162020, compared to the year ended August 31, 2019, primarily due to lower revenues in our financing business due to market-driven interest rate reductions.


There were no significant changes to Corporate and Other revenues during fiscal 2017.
33

Table of Contents


Cost of Goods Sold by Segment


Energy
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$5,002,597 $6,303,323 $(1,300,726)(20.6)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$7,031,000
 $5,977,123
 $5,007,080
 $1,053,877
 17.6% $970,043
 19.4%


The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in COGS for the Energy segment, net of intercompany COGS, for each of the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017, compared to the prior year:

37

Table of Contents


  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(76) $208
Price 1,194
 721
Transportation, retail and other (64) 41
Total change in Energy cost of goods sold $1,054
 $970

Comparison ofour Energy segment COGS for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 20172020, compared to the prior year.

chscp-20200831_g9.jpg
The $1.1 billion increasechange in Energy segment COGS for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
RefinedDecreased costs and a 4% volume decrease for refined fuels COGS increased $931.2 million (19%), which reflects a $0.32 (20%) per gallon risedriven by global market conditions, including the demand shock in the average costtransportation sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and product mix, which contributed to decreases in COGS of refined fuels$914.6 million and $207.6 million, respectively.
Decreased costs for propane driven by global market conditions and unrealized hedging gains contributed to a $249.8 million decrease in COGS. The decreased costs were partially offset by a 1%3% volume decrease.
The $211.3increase that contributed to a $21.6 million (37%) increase in COGS, which was driven by significant propane COGS was attributable to an increase in averagedemand for crop drying and home heating during the first half of fiscal 2020 during a period of poor weather conditions.
The cost of $0.25 (37%) per gallon and slightly increased volumes (0.2%). The increase in average costdecrease was partially due tooffset by the benefitrecognition of an $80.8 million gain associated with certain manufacturing changes infederal excise tax credits as a reduction of COGS during the second quarter of fiscal 20172019 that did not reoccur induring fiscal 2018 that had reduced COGS by $33.9 million in fiscal 2017.2020.


Comparison














34

Table of Energy segment COGS for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016Contents


The $970.0 million increase in Energy segment COGS for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
Refined fuels COGS increased $814.3 million (20%), which reflects a $0.20 (15%) per gallon rise in the average cost of refined fuels and a 5% volume increase.
The increase in propane COGS of $106.4 million was attributable to a 1% rise in volumes and an increase in average cost of $0.12 (21%) per gallon. These increases were partially offset by certain manufacturing changes that reduced COGS by $33.9 million.

Ag
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$22,424,661 $24,215,749 $(1,791,088)(7.4)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$24,560,854
 $25,161,821
 $24,376,782
 $(600,967) (2.4)% $785,039
 3.2%


The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons for thepresents changes in COGS for the Ag segment, net of intercompany COGS, for each of the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017, compared to the prior year:
  2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(524) $855
Price (77) (70)
Total change in Ag cost of goods sold $(601) $785

Comparison ofour Ag segment COGS for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 20172020, compared to the prior year.

chscp-20200831_g10.jpg
The $601.0 million decreasechange in Ag segment COGS for fiscal 20182020 reflects the following:
GrainLower grain and oilseed and feed and farm supply volumes contributed to $669.3 million and $570.8 million decreases in COGS, decreased by $683.6 million as a result of a 4% decline in volumes with average costs remaining flat on a year-over-year basis. The decrease in volumes was primarily due to uncertainty associated with international trade.
Renewable fuels COGS decreased by $85.7 million as the result of a 9% decline in volumes, which was partially offset by increased average costs of 3%. The decrease in volumes was duerespectively. These decreases resulted from poor spring weather conditions during fiscal 2019 that led to lower exportscrop yields and fewer acres harvested during fall of fiscal 2020 and the higher average cost was driven by higher input costs.impact of global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly during the first half of fiscal 2020.
Processing and food ingredients COGS decreased by $12.5 million as the result of decreased average costs of 14%, which was partially offset by a 15% increase in volumes. The decreased costs resulted from lower input prices, primarily soybeans, and increased volumes were the result of operational improvements following the disposal of certain facilities and improved market conditions from the prior year.

38



The decreases in grain and oilseed,Lower renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients volumes contributed to $119.5 million and $110.2 million decreases in COGS, were partially offset byrespectively. These decreases resulted from reduced demand for renewable fuels and processing and food ingredient products as a $171.0 million increase in crop nutrients COGS and a $9.8 million increase of feed and farm supplies COGS. The increased COGS in crop nutrients was primarily the result of improved market conditions leading to price increases in the fertilizer market and the increased COGS for feed and farm supplies was the result of higher volumes.COVID-19 pandemic.

Comparison of Ag segment COGS for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $785.0 million increase in Ag segment COGS for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:
The costs of grains and oilseed procured through our Ag segment increased $1.4 billion (8%). The majority of the increase was driven by a 5% increase in volumes and a 3% increase in average cost per bushel, resulting in increased COGS of $811.3 million and $570.7 million, respectively. The average per bushel month-end market price of soybeans and spring wheat increased, while corn decreased slightly compared to the prior year. The increase in volumes was due to a large U.S. crop production.
Processing and food ingredients COGS decreased $174.2 million (12%) and is comprised of $264.2 million in lower volumes, partially offset by a $90.0 million higher average cost of oilseeds purchased for further processing. The volume decline was driven by a $178.5 million decline due to the sale of an international location in the prior year.
Wholesale crop nutrients COGS decreased by $223.5 million (10%), caused primarily by a decline of 22% in average cost per ton of product. The price decline wasdecreases were partially offset by increased volumes of 15%. Theassociated with agronomy products due to heightened spring 2020 demand and the increase in volumes and decreaserevenues that resulted from the March 1, 2019, acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own, the results of which were not included in the prices paid for goods were due to betterentire comparable period of the prior year.
Lower pricing driven by global market conditions comparedand product mix contributed to the prior year, as well as efficiencies$627.0 million and $533.1 million decreases in supply chain management.
Renewable fuels COGS decreased $9.8 million (1%) resulting from a volume decline of 4%, which wasfor grain and oilseed and agronomy, respectively. However, these price decreases were partially offset by an increase in the average cost per gallon of $0.06 (4%).
The remaining Ag segment product COGS, primarilymarket-driven price increases for other products, including feed and farm supplies decreased $189.5 million due to a reduction in retail sales and the purchase price of plant food and sunflower.that increased COGS by $357.4 million.



All Other Segments
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Nitrogen Production COGS$2,397 $2,879 $(482)(16.7)%
Corporate and Other COGS$(5,097)$(5,831)$734 12.6%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Nitrogen Production COGS$1,340
 $(538) $2,222
 $1,878
 NM* $(2,760) NM*
Corporate and Other COGS$(3,307) $4,360
 $431
 $(7,667) NM* $3,929
 NM*

*NM - Not Meaningful

Comparison of All Other Segments COGS for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

There were no significant changes to COGS for our Nitrogen Production segment or Corporate and Other during fiscal 2018.2020.

35

Comparison of All Other Segments COGS for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

There were no significant changes to COGS for our Nitrogen Production segment or Corporate and Other during fiscal 2017.

Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Marketing, general and administrative expenses$704,542 $724,731 $(20,189)(2.8)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Marketing, general and administrative expenses$674,083
 $612,007
 $601,266
 $62,076
 10.1% $10,741
 1.8%



39



Comparison of marketing, general and administrative expenses for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

The $62.1 million increasedecrease in marketing, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2018 relates2020 was primarily due to higher compensation expense associated with annualthe impact of loan loss reserves and impairments recorded during fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur and decreased incentive-based compensation resulting fromduring fiscal 2018 results and increased outside service expenses.

Comparison of marketing, general and administrative expenses for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

2020. The $10.7 million increase in marketing, general and administrative expenses for fiscal 2017 reflects higher compensation expense, including incentive compensation expense and separation expenses associated with the departure of our former chief executive officer, whichdecrease was partially offset by decreases in foreign currency exchangedecreased recoveries of amounts reserved and impaired, increased maintenance expenses and management focus on cost containment.

Reserve and Impairment Charges (Recoveries), Net
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net$(37,709) $456,679
 $75,036
 $(494,388) (108.3)% $381,643
 508.6%

Comparison of reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

The $494.4 million decrease in reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net primarily reflects the following:
Reserves of approximately $229.4 million related to a Brazil trading partner in our Ag segment entering bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law that were recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 which did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.
An impairment charge of $32.7 million during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 associated with the cancellation of a capital project in our Energy segmentinformation technology platforms and $110.6 million associated with the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill in our Ag segment in fiscal 2017, neither of which reoccurred in fiscal 2018.
Subsequent to fiscal 2017, we were able to recover $37.7 million of impairment charges that had been recorded by receiving higher than expected sale prices on certain assets and insurance proceeds.
The remaining decrease is mostly attributed to loan losses and accounts receivable reserve expense primarily related to a single producer borrower recorded during fiscal 2017 which did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.

Comparison of reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $381.6 million increase in reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net primarily reflects the following:
A Brazil trading partner in our Ag segment entering into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, which resulted in charges of $229.4 million.
An impairment charge in our Energy segment of $32.7 million associated with the cancellation of a capital project during the third quarter of fiscal 2017.
Impairment charges of $110.6 million relatedincreased payroll expenses due to the impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill inemployees who joined CHS following our Ag segment during fiscal 2017.
The loan loss reserve expense in our Ag segment specific to a single producer borrower increased $81.0 million when compared to fiscal 2016.
These increases were partially offset by decreases in bad debt expense related to other domestic and international areasacquisition of the business when compared to fiscal 2016.remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD, which were not included in the entire comparable period of the prior year.


Gain (Loss) on Disposal of Business
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Gain on disposal of business$1,450 $3,886 $(2,436)(62.7)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Gain (loss) on disposal of business$131,816
 $(2,190) 
 $134,006
 NM* $(2,190) NM*

*NM - Not Meaningful


40



Comparison of (gain) loss    Gain on disposal of business for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017did not change significantly during fiscal 2020.

The increase in gain (loss) on disposal of business is primarily attributable to gains recognized on the sale of certain assets during the third quarter of fiscal 2018, including a $65.9 million gain in our Energy segment associated with the sale of 34 Zip Trip stores located in the Pacific Northwest and the sale of the Council Bluffs pipeline and refined fuels terminal in Council Bluffs, Iowa, and a $58.2 million gain in Corporate and Other associated with the sale of CHS Insurance.


Interest Expense
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Interest expense$116,977 $167,065 $(50,088)(30.0)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Interest expense$149,202
 $171,239
 $113,704
 $(22,037) (12.9)% $57,535
 50.6%


Comparison    Interest expense decreased during fiscal 2020 as a result of interest expense for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

The $22.0 million decrease in interest expense for fiscal 2018 was due to lower interest expense associated with lower long-termrates and decreased average outstanding debt balances duringcompared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018.prior year.

Comparison of interest expense for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $57.5 million increase in interest expense for fiscal 2017 was due to higher interest expense of $34.1 million associated with higher debt balances, as well as lower capitalized interest of $23.4 million associated with our ongoing capital projects.


Other Income (Loss)
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Other income$38,425 $82,423 $(43,998)(53.4)%
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Other income (loss)$78,015
 $99,951
 $47,609
 $(21,936) (21.9)% $52,342
 109.9%


Comparison    Other income decreased primarily as a result of other income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

The $21.9 million decrease in other income (loss) for fiscal 2018 primarily reflects the following:
A gain of $30.5 million recordednonoperating gains recognized during fiscal 2017 associated with an embedded derivative within the contract relating to our strategic investment in CF Nitrogen2019 that did not reoccur during fiscal 2018. See Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, 2020, including a $19.1 million gain recognized in connection with the acquisition of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are includedremaining 75% ownership in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.
The decrease associated with the embedded derivative was partially offset by increasedWCD. Additionally, decreased interest income due to higherresulting from lower interest rates andadversely impacted other non-operating activity.income.

Comparison of other income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

The $52.3 million increase in other income (loss) for fiscal 2017 primarily reflects the following:
Higher financing fees earned by us which are associated with various customer activities and receivables totaling $27.8 million.
A gain of $30.5 million recorded in association with an embedded derivative within the contract relating to our strategic investment in CF Nitrogen, of which $29.1 million was recognized during the first quarter of fiscal 2017.


41




Equity Income (Loss) from Investments
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Equity income (loss) from investments*$153,515
 $137,338
 $175,777
 $16,177
 11.8% $(38,439) (21.9)%
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Equity income from investments*$186,715 $236,755 $(50,040)(21.1)%
*See Note 5,6, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

Comparison of    The decreased equity income (loss) from investments for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017

Equity income (loss) from investments for fiscal 2018 increased primarily due to higher equity income recognized from our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen caused by higher margins, which2020 was partially offset by lower equity income recognized from our equity method investments in Ventura Foods, Ardent Mills and other equity method investments.

Comparison of equity income (loss) from investments for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016

Equity income (loss) from investments for fiscal 2017 decreased primarily due to lower equity income recognized from our equity method investments in CF Nitrogen and Ventura Foods, which decreased by $32.4 million and $17.6 million, respectively. The decreases were driven by reduced urea and UAN pricing for CF Nitrogen caused by lower margins, which was partially offset by higher equity income recognized from our equity method investments in TEMCO and Ardent Mills. We also recorded $20.2 million of impairments related to international investments as a result of continued downward pressuresthe significantly reduced demand in the agricultural markets.foodservice industry during the COVID-19 pandemic experienced by Ventura Foods.



36

Income Tax Benefit (Expense)
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income tax benefit$36,731 $12,456 $24,275 194.9 %
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income tax benefit (expense)$104,076
 $181,124
 $(19,099) $(77,048) (42.5)% $200,223
 (1,048.3)%


Comparison    Increased income tax benefit during fiscal 2020 primarily reflects a tax benefit related to the settlement of a U.S. federal audit resulting in additional tax credit carryovers, as well as equity management assumptions used in fiscal 2020 and the associated impact on income taxestaxes. Federal and state statutory rates applied to nonpatronage business activity were 24.9% and 24.7% for the years ended August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017

The decrease in income tax benefit was primarily due to incremental tax benefits recognized during fiscal 2017 that did not reoccur during fiscal 2018, including the recognition of deferred tax benefits related to the issuance of non-qualified equity certificates in fiscal 2013 and 2014, a tax benefit for retaining a significant portion of the Domestic Production Activities Deduction ("DPAD") and the bad debt deduction in our U.S. tax returns related to the performance of guarantees caused by the loss related to a Brazilian trading partner entering into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law. The decrease was partially offset by income tax benefits recognized during fiscal 2018, primarily including the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability resulting from the Tax Act enacted on December 22, 2017, the intercompany transfer of a business on December 1, 2017, and retaining a significant portion of the DPAD. The revaluation performed related to the Tax Act is considered a provisional estimate and could be subject to change. The federal and state statutory rate applied to nonpatronage business activity was 29.3% and 38.4% for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017,2019, respectively. The incomeIncome taxes and effective tax rates vary each year based upon profitability and nonpatronage business activity, during eachwhich resulted in effective tax rates of the comparable years.

Comparison of income taxes(9.5)% and (1.5)% for the years ended August 31, 2017,2020 and 20162019, respectively.


DuringComparison of Results of Operations for the Years Ended August 31, 2019 and 2018

    For a discussion of results of operations for fiscal 2017, we had an increase in income tax benefit when2019 compared to fiscal 2016, which was primarily due2018, please refer to the recognitionPart II, Item 7, Management's Discussion and Analysis of deferred tax benefits related to the issuanceFinancial Condition and Results of non-qualified equity certificates in fiscal 2013 and 2014, a tax benefit in fiscal 2017 from retaining a significant portion of the DPAD and the bad debt deductionOperations in our U.S. tax returns related to the performance of guarantees caused by an approximate $229.4 million loss related to a Brazilian trading partner entering into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law. The fiscal 2016 income tax benefit related to an appeals settlement with the Internal Revenue Service did not reoccur in fiscal 2017. The federal and state statutory rate applied to nonpatronage business activity was 38.4% and 38.3%Annual Report on Form 10-K for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The income taxes and effective tax rate vary each year based upon profitability and nonpatronage business activity during each of the comparable years2019, filed with the fiscal 2017 income tax benefit being unusually large in comparison to income before income taxes.SEC on November 6, 2019.



42



Liquidity and Capital Resources

Summary

In assessing our financial condition, we consider factors such as working capital and internal benchmarking related to our applicable covenants and other financial criteria. We fund our operations primarily through a combination of cash flows from operations supplemented with short-term borrowings underthrough our revolving credit facilities. We fund our capital expenditures and growth primarily through cash, operating cash flow and long-term debt financing.

On August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, we had working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $759.0 million$1.3 billion and $148.6 million,$1.1 billion, respectively. The increase in working capital was driven primarily by increasesreductions in our notes payable and accounts receivable, inventory and cash and cash equivalents that were funded out of operating and investing cash flow.payable. Our current ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, was 1.11.3 and 1.01.2 as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, respectively. Working capital and the current ratio may not be computed the same as similarly titled measures used by other companies. We believe this information is meaningful to investors as a measure of operational efficiency and short-term financial health.

As of August 31, 2018,2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $450.6$140.9 million, total equities of $8.2$8.8 billion, long-term debt. includingdebt (including current maturitiesmaturities) of $1.9$1.8 billion and notes payable of $2.3$1.6 billion. Our capital allocation priorities include paying our dividends, maintaining the safety and compliance of our operations, paying interest on debt and preferred stock dividends, returning cash to our member-owners in the form of cash patronage and equity redemptions paying down debt and taking advantage of strategic opportunities that benefit our owners. We will continue to consider opportunities to further diversify and enhance our sources and amounts of liquidity. These opportunities include reducing operating expenses, deploying and/or financing working capital more efficiently and identifying and disposing of nonstrategic or underperforming assets. We believe that cash generated by operating and investing activities, along with available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to support our operations for the foreseeable future and we expect to remain in compliance with our loan covenants.

As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19 on our business and operations, we have strengthened our liquidity through a variety of means, including curtailing certain spending and reprioritizing capital expenditures. We are actively managing our short-term and long-term liquidity needs.

Fiscal 20182020 and 20172019 Activity
During fiscal 2018,
On August 14, 2020, we completedentered into the disposalNote Purchase Agreement to borrow $375.0 million of debt in the form of notes. The notes under this Note Purchase Agreement are structured in four series with maturities ranging from 7 to 15 years and interest accruing at rates ranging from 3.24% to 3.73%, subject to certain assets withinadjustments depending on our Agratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated cash flow and Energy segments as well as within Corporatewhether the notes have an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The funding of these notes took place on November 2, 2020, and Other resulting in cash proceeds of $234.9 million and a corresponding gain of $131.8 million. The cash proceeds werewill be used to optimize ourrefinance upcoming debt levels by reducing our need for incremental debt, minimizing existing funded debtmaturities in fiscal 2021 and fundingadd liquidity.

37

We have a total of approximately $160 million in loan guarantees to our Brazilian operations as a result of losses caused by a trading partner of ours in Brazil entering into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law.

On June 28, 2018, we amended an existing receivables and loans securitization facility (“("Securitization Facility”Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions (the "Purchasers"("Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell trade accounts and notes receivable (the “Receivables”("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC (“Cofina”("Cofina"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the Receivables to the Purchasers whichand this arrangement is accounted for as a secured borrowing. During the period from July 2017 through the amendment of the Securitization Facility in June 2018, CHS accounted for Receivables sold under the Securitization Facility as a sale of financial assets pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification 860, Transfers and Servicing, and the Receivables sold were derecognized from our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes and settlements are made on a monthly basis. The Securitization Facility terminates on June 17, 2019, but may be extended.
The amount available under the Securitization Facility fluctuates over time based on the total amount of eligible Receivables generated during the normal course of business, with maximum availability of $700.0 million.business. As of August 31, 2018, and 2017, the2020, total availability under the Securitization Facility was $645.0$423.0 million, all of which had been utilized.

    We also have a repurchase facility ("Repurchase Facility") related to the Securitization Facility. Under the Repurchase Facility, we can borrow up to $150.0 million, collateralized by a subordinated note issued by Cofina in favor of the Originators and representing a portion of the outstanding balance of the Receivables sold by the Originators to Cofina under the Securitization Facility. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, the outstanding balance under the Repurchase Facility was $150.0 million.

On June 26, 2020, we amended our existing Securitization Facility and Repurchase Facility. As a result of the amendment, the maximum availability of the Securitization Facility was decreased from $700.0 million to $500.0 million. On September 24, 2020, the Securitization Facility and Repurchase Facility were further amended, increasing the maximum availability under the Securitization Facility to $600.0 million from $500.0 million and $618.0extending their respective termination dates to July 30, 2021.

During fiscal 2019, we completed the acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own by paying $106.7 million; net cash flows were reduced by $8.0 million respectively, of cash acquired. WCD is now included in our Ag segment and deepens our presence in the agronomy products market. See Note 20, Acquisitions, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.

We also completed planned major maintenance activities during fiscal 2020 and 2019, which all had been utilized.contributed to cash outflows of $14.5 million and $232.1 million for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.


Cash Flows
Years Ended August 31,Change
20202019DollarsPercent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$1,087,229 $1,139,931 $(52,702)(4.6)%
Net cash used in investing activities(243,705)(661,283)417,578 63.1 %
Net cash used in financing activities(931,148)(725,646)(205,502)(28.3)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents4,942 2,733 2,209 80.8 %
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash$(82,682)$(244,265)$161,583 66.2 %
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018 vs. 2017 2017 vs. 2016
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 $ Change % Change $ Change % Change
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$1,072,068
 $919,118
 $1,260,554
 $152,950
 16.6 % $(341,436) (27.1)%
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(79,524) (405,041) (3,746,971) 325,517
 80.4 % 3,341,930
 89.2 %
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(732,170) (618,258) 1,814,196
 (113,912) (18.4)% (2,432,454) (134.1)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents8,864
 (4,713) (5,223) 13,577
 288.1 % 510
 9.8 %
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$269,238
 $(108,894) $(677,444) $378,132
 347.2 % $568,550
 83.9 %


43




Fiscal Year 2018 Compared to Fiscal Year 2017

various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $153.0$52.7 million increasedecrease in cash provided by operating activities reflects cash generated throughdecreased net income during fiscal 2020 compared to the prior fiscal year, which was partially offset by working capital efficiencies, including improvements in inventory positions and collection efforts for accounts and notes receivable. Net cash provided by operating activities was also higher for the year due to higher net income, including adjustments for non-cash items.decreases, primarily associated with decreased receivables.


The $325.5$417.6 million decrease in cash used in investing activities primarily reflects increased collections of $130.5 million, decreased expenditures for major maintenance, CHS Capital, LLC ("CHS Capital") notes receivable and acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD in fiscal 2019, which did not reoccur in fiscal 2020.

The $205.5 million increase in cash from investing activities for fiscal 2018 reflects the following:
Proceeds of $234.9 million from the sale of certain North American businesses/assets primarily during the three months ended May 31, 2018,used in our Ag and Energy segments and our insurance business reported in Corporate and Other. The proceeds received were partially used to reduce long-term debt.
Proceeds of $91.2 million from the sale of property, plant, and equipment, including $54.7 million related to the sale of our corporate office building in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 which was subsequently leased back to us. The proceeds received were used to reduce our long-term debt.

Cash from financing activities for fiscal 2018 decreased $113.9 million, primarily due to the following:
Increased payments,reflects increased net of borrowings, on lines of creditcash outflows associated with our notes payable and long-term borrowings as part of our focus to manage financial leverage and liquidity optimization.
The decrease above was partially offset by the authorization to not distribute cash patronage during the fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 2017 Compared to Fiscal Year 2016

Cash from operating activities for fiscal 2017 decreased $341.4 million, primarily due to the following:
Increases in inventory resulting from increased commodity prices and volumes on hand. On August 31, 2017, the per bushel market prices of two of our primary grain commodities, spring wheat and corn, increased by $1.33 (27%) and $0.41 (14%), respectively, when compared to the spot prices on August 31, 2016. The per bushel market price of our third primary commodity, soybeans, decreased by $0.24 (2%) when compared to the spot price on August 31, 2016. In general, crude oil market prices increased $2.53 (6%) per barrel on August 31, 2017, when compared to August 31, 2016. Partially offsetting grain prices, fertilizer commodity prices affecting our wholesale crop nutrients and country operations retail businesses reflected decreases of up to 14%, depending on the specific products, compared to prices on August 31, 2016.
Lower net income due to increased reserve and impairment charges within our Ag and Energy segments.

The $3.3 billiondebt facilities, an increase in cash from investing activities for fiscal 2017 reflects the following:patronage paid and an increase in equity redemption payments.
Our $2.8 billion investment in CF Nitrogen completed in fiscal 2016 which didn't reoccur in fiscal 2017.
Reduced acquisitions




38

Table of property, plant and equipment and other business acquisitions. The significant decrease in acquisitions of property, plant and equipment was primarily related to our plan to reduce our capital investments to allow us to actively reduce our funded debt obligations.Contents
Net cash proceeds of $7.9 million related to the sale of Receivables associated with the Securitization Facility.

Cash from financing activities for fiscal 2017 decreased $2.4 billion, primarily due to the following:
Proceeds from issuances of debt instruments related primarily to the financing of the CF Nitrogen investment in fiscal 2016 which didn't reoccur in fiscal 2017.
The decrease above was partially offset by reduced payments of cash patronage in fiscal 2017 and the final contingent payment of the noncontrolling interest in CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. ("CHS McPherson") made in fiscal 2016.

Future Uses of Cash


We expect to utilize cash and cash equivalents, along with cash generated by operating activities and cash raised through the Note Purchase Agreement to fund capital expenditures, major repairs,maintenance, debt and interest payments, preferred stock dividends, patronage and equity redemptions. The following is a summary of our primary cash requirements for fiscal 2019:2021:


Capital expenditures. We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 20192021 to be approximately $515.0$486.8 million, compared to capital expenditures of $355.4$418.4 million in fiscal 2018. Included in that amount2020. Excluded from the capital expenditures for fiscal 20192021 is approximately $151.0$56.0 million for the acquisition of property, plant and equipmentmajor maintenance at our Laurel Montana and McPherson, Kansas refineries.
refinery.

44



Major repairs. Refineries have planned major maintenance to overhaul, repair, inspect and replace process materials and equipment (referred to as "turnaround") which typically occur for a five-to-six-week period every 2-4 years. Our McPherson, Kansas refinery has planned maintenance scheduled for fiscal 2019 for approximately $177.0 million. We paid $80.5 million for major repairs, primarily at our Laurel, Montana refinery in fiscal 2018.
Debt and interest. We expect to repay approximately $168$189.3 million of long-term debt and capitalfinance lease obligations and incur interest payments related to long-term debt of approximately $83.0$74.6 million during fiscal 2019.
2021.
Preferred stock dividends. We had approximately $2.3 billion of preferred stock outstanding atas of August 31, 2018.2020. We expect to pay dividends on our preferred stock of approximately $168.7 million during fiscal 2019.
2021.
Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $75.0$30.0 million of our fiscal 2018 patronage sourced2020 patronage-sourced earnings to be paid to our member ownersmember-owners during fiscal 2019.
2021.
Equity redemptions. We expect totalOur Board of Directors has authorized equity redemptions of approximately $79.0$33.0 million to be distributed in fiscal 2019 and to be2021 in the form of redemptions of qualified and non-qualifiednonqualified equity owned by individual producer members and associations. This amount includes approximately $4.0 millionassociation members. The Board of Directors will continue to periodically evaluate the level of equity redemption activity throughout fiscal 2021 in respect to the amounts it has authorized redemptions fromfor redemption during the fiscal 2018 to be paid in fiscal 2019.
year.


Future Sources of Cash
    
We fund our current operations primarily through a combination of cash flows from operations and committed and uncommitted revolving credit facilities, including our Securitization Facility and Repurchase Facility. We believe these sources will provide adequate liquidity to meet our working capital needs. We fund certain of our long-term capital needs, primarily those related to acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, fromwith cash flows from operations and by issuing privately placed long-term debt and term loans. On August 14, 2020, we entered into the Note Purchase Agreement to borrow $375.0 million of long-term debt in the form of notes that was funded on November 2, 2020. This funding will be used to refinance maturing long-term debt as well as add liquidity. In addition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, CHS Capital, makes loans to member cooperatives, businesses and individual producers of agricultural products included in our cash flows from investing activities and has financing sources as detailed below in CHS"CHS Capital Financing.Financing."


Working Capital Financing


We finance our working capital needs through committed and uncommitted lines of credit with domestic and international banks. We believe our current cash balances and our available capacity on our committed lines of credit will provide adequate liquidity to meet our working capital needs. The following table summarizes our primary lines of credit as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017:2019:
Primary Revolving Credit FacilitiesFiscal Year
of Maturity
Total CapacityBorrowings OutstandingInterest Rates
202020202019
(Dollars in thousands)
Committed five-year unsecured facility2024$2,750,000 $345,000 $335,000 LIBOR or base rate +0.00% to 1.55%
Uncommitted bilateral facilities*2021300,000 430,000 LIBOR or base rate + applicable margin
Primary Revolving Credit Facilities Maturities Total Capacity Borrowings Outstanding Interest Rates
    2018 2018 2017  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Committed Five-Year Unsecured Facility 2021 $3,000,000
 $— $480,000 LIBOR or Base Rate +0.00% to 1.45%
Uncommitted Bilateral Facilities 2019 515,000
 515,000 350,000 LIBOR or Base Rate +0.00% to 1.20%
In addition to our primary revolving lines of credit, we have a three-year $315.0*Total capacity for the uncommitted bilateral facilities was $630.0 million committed revolving pre-export credit facility for CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda ("CHS Agronegocio"), our wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil. CHS Agronegocio uses the facility, which expires in April 2020, to finance its working capital needs related to its purchases and sales of grains, fertilizers and other agricultural products.at August 31, 2019. As of August 31, 2018,2020, the outstanding balance underuncommitted bilateral facilities do not include $300.0 million of capacity with a banking partner for which we are currently in the process of terminating the related agreement.

    Our primary line of credit is a five-year, unsecured revolving credit facility was $181.1 million.with a syndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility provides a committed amount of $2.75 billion that expires on July 16, 2024. We also maintain certain uncommitted bilateral facilities to support our working capital needs.
As of August 31, 2018, in
    In addition to our uncommitted bilateral facilities above, our wholly-owned subsidiaries CHS Europe S.a.r.lS.a.r.l. and CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda had uncommitted lines of credit with $454.1$318.4 million outstanding.outstanding as of August 31, 2020. In addition, our other international subsidiaries had total lines of credit outstanding of $279.4$69.7 million as of August 31, 2018, of which $40.5 million was collateralized.2020.

On August 31, 2018, and 2017, we had total short-term indebtedness outstanding on these various primary and other facilities, as well as other miscellaneous short-term notes payable, in the amount of $1.4 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.


45
39


Long-termLong-Term Debt Financing
The following table presents summarized long-term debt data for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017.
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Private placement debt$1,510,547
 $1,643,886
Bank financing366,000
 445,000
Capital lease obligations25,280
 33,075
Other notes and contract payable32,607
 62,652
Deferred financing costs(4,179) (4,820)
 $1,930,255
 $2,179,793
Long-term debt outstandingincluding current maturities was $1.8 billion as of August 31, 2018, has aggregate2020 and 2019. During the year ended August 31, 2020, we repaid approximately $25.4 million of long-term debt consisting of scheduled debt maturities excluding fair value adjustments and capital leases, as follows:
 (Dollars in thousands)
2019$162,846
202030,671
2021182,472
202265
2023282,065
Thereafter1,260,570
 $1,918,689
optional prepayments. On August 14, 2020, we entered into the Note Purchase Agreement to borrow $375.0 million of long-term debt in the form of notes that was funded on November 2, 2020. See Note 8, 9, Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information.information, including tables with summarized long-term debt outstanding.

CHS Capital Financing

For a description of the Securitization Facility and the Repurchase Facility, see above in Fiscal 2018"Fiscal 2020 and 2017 activity.2019 Activity."
CHS Capital has available credit under master participation agreements with several counterparties. Borrowings under these agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and bear interest at variable rates ranging from 2.22% to 3.72% as of August 31, 2018. As of August 31, 2018, the total funding commitment under these agreements was $36.0 million, of which $6.3 million was borrowed.

CHS Capital sells loan commitments it has originated to Compeer Financial, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial ("ProPartners") on a recourse basis. The totalTotal outstanding commitments under the program were $180.9$150.0 million as of August 31, 2018,2020, of which $98.3$133.3 million was borrowed under these commitments with an interest rate of 3.22%1.45%.


CHS Capital borrows funds under short-term notes issued as part of a surplus funds program. Borrowings under this program are unsecured and bear interest at variable rates ranging from 0.10%0.35% to 1.40% as of August 31, 2018,2020, and are due upon demand. Borrowings under these notes totaled $69.3$134.9 million as of August 31, 2018.2020.


CovenantsOn September 30, 2019, CHS Capital entered into a credit agreement with a revolving note. Under this agreement, CHS Capital had available capacity of $100.0 million of which no amount was outstanding as of August 31, 2020. This agreement matured subsequent to August 31, 2020, and was not renewed.

Covenants

Our long-term debt is mostly unsecured; however, restrictive covenants under various debt agreements require the maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all debt covenants and restrictions as of August 31, 2018.2020. Based on our current 20192021 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance.
In September 2015, we amended all
    All outstanding private placement notes to conform theto financial covenants applicable thereto to those of our amended and restated five-year unsecured revolving credit facility. The amended notes provide that if our ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated cash flow is greater than 3.0 to 1.0, the interest rate on all outstanding notes will be increased bybetween 0.25% and 1.00%, depending on the related note series, the actual ratio and/or whether the notes have an investment grade rating from a nationally recognized statistical rating organization, until the ratio becomes 3.0 to 1.0, or less. During both fiscal 20182020 and 2017,2019, our ratio of consolidated funded debt to consolidated cash flow remained below 3.0 to 1.0.

46




Patronage and Equity Redemptions

In accordance with our bylaws and upon approval by action of our Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources are distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each fiscal year. For the year ended August 31, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized distributions of $420.3 million, with qualified cash distributions of $75.0 million and non-qualified equity distributions of $345.3 million. For the year ended August 31, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized only non-qualified distributions, with no cash patronage. For the years ended August 31, 2016, and 2015, theare based on amounts using financial statement earnings. The cash portion of the qualified distributions was deemedpatronage distribution, if any, is determined annually by our Board of Directors, with the balance issued in the form of qualified and/or nonqualified capital equity certificates. Total patronage distributions for fiscal 2020 are estimated to be 40%.$242.0 million, with the qualified cash portion estimated to be $30.0 million and nonqualified equity distributions of $212.0 million. NaN portion of annual net earnings for fiscal 2020 will be issued in the form of qualified capital equity certificates.

The following table presents estimated patronage datadistributions for the year ending August 31, 2019,2021, and actual patronage datadistributions for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016:2018:
2021202020192018
 (Dollars in millions)
Patronage distributed in cash$30.0 $90.1 $75.8 $— 
Patronage distributed in equity212.0 474.4 353.0 128.8 
Total patronage distributed$242.0 $564.5 $428.8 $128.8 
40

 2019 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in millions)
Patronage Distributed in Cash$75.0
 $
 $103.9
 $251.7
Patronage Distributed in Equity345.3
 128.8
 153.6
 375.5
Total Patronage Distributed$420.3
 $128.8
 $257.5
 $627.2
In accordance with authorization from ourOur Board of Directors we expect totalhas authorized equity redemptions relatedof $33.0 million to the year ended August 31, 2018, that will be distributed in fiscal 2019, to be approximately $75.0 million.2021 in the form of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer members and association members. These redemptions are classified as a current liability on the August 31, 2018,2020, Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Board of Directors will continue to periodically evaluate the level of equity redemption activity throughout fiscal 2021 in respect to the amounts it has authorized for redemption during the fiscal year.


Other Financing
On March 30, 2017, we issued 695,390 shares of Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock to redeem approximately $20.0 million of qualified equity certificates to eligible owners. Each share of Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock was issued in redemption of $28.74 of qualified equity certificates.
See Note 10, 12, Equities, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a summary of our outstanding preferred stock as of August 31, 2018,2020, each series of which is listed and traded on the Global Select Market of NASDAQ.The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC.


Off BalanceOff-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements


Guarantees:Guarantees


We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, non-consolidatednonconsolidated companies. Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $122.3$127.9 million were outstanding on August 31, 2018.2020. We have collateral for a portion of these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a liability related to the contingent obligations as we do not expect to pay out any cash related to them and the fair values are considered immaterial. The underlying loans to the counterparties for which we provide guarantees were current as of August 31, 2018.2020.


Operating leases:Debt

    
Future minimum lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases as of August 31, 2018, were $352.1 million.

Debt:

There is no material off balanceoff-balance sheet debt.


Receivables Securitization Facility and Loan Participations:Participations


During fiscal 2018, we engaged    We engage in off-balance sheet arrangements through our Securitization Facility and certain loan participation agreements. In the fourth fiscal quarter of 2018, we amended the Securitization Facility so that the transfer of Receivables is accounted for as a secured borrowing. Refer to further details about these arrangements in Note 2,3, Receivables, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



47



Contractual Obligations


We had certain contractual obligations atas of August 31, 2018,2020, which require the following payments to be made:
 Payments Due by Period
TotalLess than
1 Year
1 - 3
Years
3 - 5
Years
More than
5 Years
 (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt obligations (1)
$1,750,947 $181,628 $313,656 $697,560 $558,103 
Interest payments (2)
498,157 74,573 134,426 108,726 180,432 
Finance lease obligations (3)
35,337 8,845 13,070 5,489 7,933 
Operating lease obligations305,828 64,379 90,667 55,229 95,553 
Purchase obligations (4)
6,555,832 5,587,252 440,551 217,226 310,803 
Other liabilities (5)
449,206 — 32,082 14,846 402,278 
Total obligations$9,595,307 $5,916,677 $1,024,452 $1,099,076 $1,555,102 
(1) Excludes fair value adjustments to the long-term debt reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2020, resulting from fair value interest rate swaps and related hedge accounting.
(2) Based on interest rates and long-term debt balances as of August 31, 2020.
(3) Future minimum lease payments under finance leases include amounts related to bargain purchase options and residual value guarantees, which represent economic obligations as opposed to contractual payment obligations.
(4) Purchase obligations are legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods or services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and approximate time of the transactions. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into a significant number of forward purchase commitments for agricultural and energy commodities and related freight. The purchase obligation amounts shown above include both short- and long-term obligations and are based on a) fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and b) fixed or estimated prices to be paid at the time of settlement. Current estimates are based on
41

 Payments Due by Period
 Total 
Less than
1 Year
 
1 - 3
Years
 
3 - 5
Years
 
More than
5 Years
 (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt obligations (1)
$1,918,689
 $162,846
 $213,143
 $282,130
 $1,260,570
Interest payments (2)
641,173
 83,030
 151,430
 134,066
 272,647
Capital lease obligations (3)
28,593
 4,845
 8,792
 7,020
 7,936
Operating lease obligations352,062
 103,800
 92,081
 52,381
 103,800
Purchase obligations (4)
8,719,832
 7,331,773
 541,845
 262,572
 583,642
Other liabilities (5)
519,289
 16,443
 44,967
 19,120
 438,759
Total obligations$12,179,638
 $7,702,737
 $1,052,258
 $757,289
 $2,667,354

(1)
Excludes fair value adjustments to the long-term debt reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2018, resulting from fair value interest rate swaps and the related hedge accounting.
(2)
Based on interest rates and long-term debt balances at August 31, 2018.
(3)
Future minimum lease payments under capital leases include amounts related to bargain purchase options and residual value guarantees, which represent economic obligations as opposed to contractual payment obligations.
(4)
Purchase obligations are legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods or services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities; fixed, minimum or variable price provisions; and approximate time of the transactions. In the ordinary course of business, we enter into a significant number of forward purchase commitments for agricultural and energy commodities and the related freight. The purchase obligation amounts shown above include both short- and long-term obligations and are based on: a) fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased; and b) fixed or estimated prices to be paid at the time of settlement. Current estimates are based on assumptions about future market conditions that will exist at the time of settlement. Consequently, actual amounts paid under these contracts may differ due to the variable pricing provisions. Market risk related to the variability of our forward purchase commitments is economically hedged by offsetting forward sale contracts that are not included in the amounts above.
(5)
Other liabilities include the long-term portion of deferred compensation, deferred tax liabilities and contractual redemptions. Of the total other liabilities and deferred tax liabilities of $519.3 million on our Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2018, the timing of the payments of $424.5 million of such liabilities cannot be determined.
(5) Other liabilities include the long-term portion of deferred compensation, deferred tax liabilities and contractual redemptions. Of the total other liabilities and deferred tax liabilities of $652.9 million on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2020, the timing of the payments of $394.6 million of such liabilities cannot be determined and $203.7 million relate to long-term operating lease liabilities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates


Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP. The preparationGAAP"). Preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the use of estimates, as well as management’s judgments and assumptions regarding matters that are subjective, uncertain or involve a high degree of complexity, all of which affect the results of operations and financial condition for the periods presented. We believe that the following significant accounting policies are critical to our consolidated financial statements and may involve a higher degree of estimates, judgments and complexity.


Inventory Valuation and Reserves


Grain, processed grain, oilseed and processed oilseed inventories are stated at net realizable value. All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The costs of certain energy inventories (wholesale refined products, crude oil and asphalt) are determined on the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method; all other inventories of non-grainnongrain products purchased for resale are valued on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") and average cost methods. Estimates are used in determining the net realizable values of grain and oilseed and processed grains and oilseeds inventories. These estimates include the measurement of grain in bins and other storage facilities, which useuses formulas in addition to actual measurements taken to arrive at appropriate quantities. Other determinations made by management include quality of the inventory and estimates for freight. Grain shrink reserves and other reserves that account for spoilage also affect inventory valuations. If estimates regarding the valuation of inventories, or the adequacy of reserves, are less favorable than management’s assumptions, then additional reserves or write-downs of inventories may be required.

48





Derivative Financial Instruments


We enter into exchange-traded commodity futures and options contracts to hedge our exposure to price fluctuations on energy, grain and oilseed transactions to the extent considered practicable for minimizing risk. Futures and options contracts used for hedging are purchased and sold through regulated commodity exchanges. We also use over-the-counter ("OTC") instruments to hedge our exposure on fixed-price contracts. Fluctuations in inventory valuations, however, may not be completely hedged, due in part to the absence of satisfactory hedging facilities for certain commodities and geographical areas and in part to our assessment of our exposure from expected price fluctuations. We also manage our risks by entering into fixed-price purchase contracts with preapproved producers and establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed-price sales contracts are entered into with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. The fair values of futures and options contracts are determined primarily from quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges. Fixed-price purchase and sales contracts are with various counterparties, and the fair values of such contracts are determined from the market price of the underlying product. We are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the contracts and, therefore, contract values are reviewed and adjusted to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty’s financial condition and also thea risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different than the current market prices.


Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits


Pension and other postretirement benefits costs and obligations are dependentdepend on assumptions used in calculating such amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, health care cost trend rates, benefits earned, interest costs, expected return on plan assets, mortality rates and other factors. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, actual results that differ from the assumptions are accumulated and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect recognized expenses and the recorded obligations in future periods. While our management believes that the assumptions used are appropriate, differences in actual experience or changes in assumptions may affect our pension and other postretirement obligations and future expenses.





42

Deferred Tax Assets and Uncertain Tax Positions


We assess whether a valuation allowance is necessary to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that we believe is more likely than not to be realized. While we have considered future taxable income, as well as other factors, in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event that we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to our deferred tax assets would be charged to income in the period such determination was made. We are also significantly impacted by the utilization of tax credits, some of which were passed to us from CHSthe McPherson (formerly known as National Cooperative Refinery Association),refinery, related to refinery upgrades that enable us to produce ultra-low sulfurultra-low-sulfur fuels. Our tax credit carryforwards are available to offset future federal and state tax liabilities with the tax credits becoming unavailable to us if not used by their expiration date. Our net operating loss carryforwards for tax purposes are available to offset future taxable income. If our loss carryforwards are not used, these loss carryforwards will expire.


Tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions are recognized in our financial statements if it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by a tax authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The benefits are measured using a cumulative probability approach. Under this approach, we record in our financial statements the greatest amount of tax benefits that have a more than 50% probability of being realized upon final settlement with the tax authorities. In determining these tax benefits, we assign probabilities to a range of outcomes that we feel we could ultimately settle on with the tax authorities using all relevant facts and information available at the reporting date. Due to the complexity of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a benefit that is materially different than our current estimate.


Long-Lived Assets


Property, plant and equipment is depreciated or amortized over the expected useful lives of individual or groups of assets based on the straight-line method. Economic circumstances or other factors may cause management’s estimates of expected useful lives to differ from actual.actual useful lives.


All long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill, investments in unconsolidated affiliates and other identifiable intangibles, are evaluated for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP, at least annually for goodwill, and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group may not be recoverable. For goodwill, our annual impairment testing occurs in our fourth quarter. An impaired asset is written down to its

49



estimated fair value based on the best information available. Fair value is generally measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate discounted future cash flows and our estimates may differ from actual.actual results.


We have asset retirement obligations with respect to certain of our refineries and other assets due to various legal obligations to clean and/or dispose of the component parts at the time they are retired. In most cases, these assets can be used for extended and indeterminate periods of time, as long as they are properly maintained and/or upgraded. It is our practice and current intent to maintain refineries and related assets and to continue making improvements to those assets based on technological advances. As a result, we believe our refineries and related assets have indeterminate lives for purposes of estimating asset retirement obligations because dates or ranges of dates upon which we would retire a refinery and related assets cannot reasonably be estimated at this time. When a date or range of dates can reasonably be estimated for the retirement of any component part of a refinery or other asset, we will estimate the cost of performing the retirement activities and record a liability for the fair value of that future cost.


We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject to lessor discretion for which we have recorded asset retirement obligations. Based on our estimates of the timing, cost and probability of removal, these obligations are not material.


Effect of Inflation and Foreign Currency Transactions

We believe that inflation and foreign currency fluctuations have not had a significant effect on our operations during the three years ended August 31, 2018, since we conduct a significant portion of our business in U.S. dollars.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements


See Note 1, Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for information concerning new accounting standards and the impact of the implementation of those standards on our financial statements.



50
43




ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


COMMODITY PRICE RISKCommodity Price Risk


When we enter into a commodity purchase or sales commitment, we incur risks related to price changes and performance including delivery, quality, quantity and shipment period. In the event that market prices decrease, we are exposed to risk of loss for the market value of inventory and purchase contracts with a fixed or partially fixed price.prices. Conversely, we are exposed to risk of loss on our fixed or partially fixed price sales contracts in the event that market prices increase.


Our use of hedging reduces the exposure to price volatility by protecting against adverse short-term price movements, but it also limits the benefits of favorable short-term price movements. To reduce the price risk associated with fixed price commitments, we generally enter into commodity derivative contracts, to the extent practical, to achieve a net commodity position within the formal position limits we have established and deemed prudent for each commodity. These contracts are primarily transacted through our FCM on regulated commodity futures exchanges, but may also include over-the-counter derivative instruments when deemed appropriate. These contracts are recorded at fair values based on quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges or the market prices of the underlying products listed on the exchanges, except that certain contracts that are accounted for as normal purchase and normal sales transactions. For commodities where there is no liquid derivative contract, risk is managed through the use of forward sales contracts, other pricing arrangements and, to some extent, futures contracts in highly correlated commodities. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. The contracts are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair values based on quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges or the market prices of the underlying products listed on the exchanges, except that fertilizer and propane contracts are accounted for as normal purchase and normal sales transactions. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
When a futures position is established, initial margin must be deposited with the applicable exchange or broker. The amount of margin required varies by commodity and is set by the applicable exchange at its sole discretion. If the market price relative to a short futures position increases, an additional margin deposit would be required. Similarly, a margin deposit would be required if the market price relative to a long futures position decreases. Conversely, if the market price increases relative to a long futures position or decreases relative to a short futures position, margin deposits may be returned by the applicable exchange or broker.
Our policy is to manage our commodity price risk exposure according to internal policespolicies and in alignment with our tolerance for risk. It is our policy that our profitability should come from operations, primarily derived from margins on products sold and grain merchandised, not from hedging transactions. At any one time, inventory and purchase contracts for delivery to us may be substantial. We have risk management policies and procedures that include established net physical position limits. These limits are defined for each commodity and business unit, and business units may include both trader and management limits as appropriate. The limits policy is overseen at a high level by our corporate compliance team, with day to dayday-to-day monitoring procedures managedbeing implemented within each individual business unit to ensure any limits overage is explained and exposures reduced, or a temporary limit increase is established if needed. The position limits are reviewed at least annually with our senior leadership and Board of Directors. We monitor current market conditions and may expand or reduce our net position limits or procedures in response to changes in those conditions.
The use of hedging instruments does not protect against nonperformance by counterparties to cash contracts. We evaluate counterparty exposure by reviewing contracts and adjusting the values to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty’scounterparty's financial condition and the risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different than the current market prices. We manage these risks by entering into fixed price purchase and sales contracts with preapproved producers and by establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed price contracts are entered into with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. Regarding our use of derivatives, we primarily transact in exchange traded instruments or enter into over-the-counter derivatives that primarily clear through a designated clearing organization,our FCM, which limits our counterparty exposure relative to hedging activities. Historically, we have not experienced significant events of nonperformance on open contracts. Accordingly, we only adjust the estimated fair values of specifically identified contracts for nonperformance. Although we have established policies and procedures, we make no assurances that historical nonperformance experience will carry forward to future periods.
A 10% adverse change in market prices would not materially affect our results of operations, since we use commodity futures and forward contracts asof economic hedges of price risk and since our operations have effective economic hedging requirements as a general business practice.


Factors that could impact the effectiveness of our hedging activities include the accuracy of our forecasts, the volatility of the commodity markets and the availability of hedging instruments. The utilization of derivatives and hedging activities is described more fully in Note 15, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, and Note 16, Fair Value Measurements, of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
51
44


Interest Rate Risk
INTEREST RATE RISK

Debt used to finance inventories and receivables is represented by short-term notes payable, so that our blended interest rate for all such notes approximates current market rates. We have outstanding interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $495.0 million designated as fair value hedges of portions of our fixed-rate debt. Our objective is to offset changes in the fair value of the debt associated with the risk of variability in the 3-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR interest rate, in essence converting the fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. Offsetting changes in the fair values of both the swap instruments and the hedged debt are recorded contemporaneously each period and only create an impact to earnings to the extent that the hedge is ineffective. During fiscal 2018, we recorded offsetting fair value adjustments of $18.7 million, with no ineffectiveness recorded in earnings.
In fiscal 2015, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $300.0 million designated as cash flow hedges of the expected variability of future interest payments on our anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we determined that certain of the anticipated debt issuances would be delayed, and we consequently recorded an immaterial amount of losses on the ineffective portion of the related swaps in earnings. Additionally, we paid $6.4 million in cash to settle two of the interest rate swaps upon their scheduled termination dates. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we settled two additional interest rate swaps, paying $5.3 million in cash upon their scheduled termination. In January 2016, we issued the fixed-rate debt associated with these swaps and will amortize the amounts which were previously deferred to other comprehensive income into earnings over the life of the debt. The amounts to be included in earnings are not expected to be material during any 12-month period. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we settled the remaining two interest rate swaps, paying $5.1 million in cash upon their scheduled termination. We did not issue additional fixed-rate debt as previously planned, and we reclassified all amounts previously recorded to other comprehensive income into earnings.

The table below provides information about our outstanding debt and derivative financial instruments that areis sensitive to changes in interest rates. For debt obligations, theThe table presents scheduled contractual principal payments and related weighted average interest rates for the fiscal years presented. For
Expected Maturity DateTotalFair Value
Asset (Liability)
20212022202320242025Thereafter
 (Dollars in thousands)
Liabilities:        
Variable rate miscellaneous
short-term notes payable
$763,215 $— $— $— $— $— $763,215 $(763,215)
Average interest rate2.0 %— — — — — 2.0 %— 
Variable rate CHS Capital short-term notes payable$812,276 $— $— $— $— $— $812,276 $(812,276)
Average interest rate1.3 %— — — — — 1.3 %— 
Fixed rate long-term debt$181,628 $30,828 $282,828 $780 $330,780 $558,103 $1,384,947 $(1,497,526)
Average interest rate4.5 %3.2 %3.2 %4.5 %3.2 %4.9 %3.9 %— 
Variable rate long-term debt$— $— $— $— $366,000 $— $366,000 $(384,364)
Average interest rate (a)
— — — — range— range— 
(a) Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at a base rate swaps,(or LIBOR) plus an applicable margin, or at a fixed rate of interest determined and quoted by the table presents notional amounts for payments to be exchanged by expected contractual maturity dates foradministrative agent under the fiscal years presentedagreement in its sole and interest rates noted in the table.
Expected Maturity Date
 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter Total 
Fair Value
Asset (Liability)
 (Dollars in thousands)
Liabilities: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Variable rate miscellaneous
short-term notes payable
$1,437,264
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $1,437,264
 $(1,437,264)
Average interest rate3.5% 
 
 
 
 
 3.5% 
Variable rate CHS Capital
short-term notes payable
$834,932
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $834,932
 $(834,932)
Average interest rate2.8% 
 
 
 
 
 2.8% 
Fixed rate long-term debt$162,846
 $30,671
 $182,472
 $65
 $282,065
 $894,570
 $1,552,689
 $(1,505,652)
Average interest rate4.2% 4.4% 4.5% 5.1% 4.5% 4.6% 4.0% 
Variable rate long-term debt$
 $
 $
 $
 $
 $366,000
 $366,000
 $(335,927)
Average interest rate (a)

 
 
 
 
 range
 range
 
Interest Rate Derivatives: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Fixed to variable long-term debt interest rate swaps$130,000
 $
 $160,000
 $
 $
 $205,000
 $495,000
 $(9,452)
Average pay rate (b)
range
 
 range
 
 
 range
 range
 
Average receive rate (c)
range
 
 range
 
 
 range
 range
 

(a)
Borrowings under the agreement bear interest at a base rate (or a LIBO rate) plus an applicable margin, or at a fixed rate of interest determined and quoted by the administrative agent under the agreement in its sole and absolute

52



absolute discretion from time to time. The applicable margin is based on our leverage ratio and ranges between 1.50% and 2.00% for LIBO rateLIBOR-based loans and between 0.50% and 1.00% for base rate loans.
(b)
Seven swaps with notional amount of $495.0 million with fixed rates from 4.08% to 4.67%.
(c)
Average three-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR plus spreads ranging from 2.009% to 2.74%.


FOREIGN CURRENCY RISKForeign Currency Risk


We were exposed to risk regarding foreign currency fluctuations during fiscal 20182020 and in prior years even though a substantial amount of our international sales were denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition to specific transactional exposure, foreign currency fluctuations can impact the ability of foreign buyers to purchase U.S. agricultural products and the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products compared to the same products offered by alternative sources of world supply. From time to time, we enter into foreign currency hedge contracts to minimize the impact of currency fluctuations on our transactional exposures. The notional amounts of our foreign exchange derivative contracts were $988.8 million$1.2 billion and $776.7$894.7 million as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, respectively.



45

ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


The financial statements listed in Item 15(a)(1) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are set forth beginning on page F-1. Financial statement schedules are included in Schedule II in Item 15(a)(2) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Supplementary financial information required by Item 302 of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC for each quarter during the years ended August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, is presented below. As described in
Three Months Ended
August 31,
2020
May 31,
2020
February 29,
2020
November 30,
2019
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$6,945,623 $7,241,031 $6,598,226 $7,621,485 
Gross profit122,850 218,359 315,055 325,543 
Income before income taxes3,204 70,449 127,824 185,401 
Net income21,677 97,501 125,694 178,737 
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. 21,462 97,648 125,447 177,882 

Three Months Ended
August 31,
2019
May 31,
2019
February 28,
2019
November 30,
2018
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$8,434,684 $8,497,941 $6,483,539 $8,484,289 
Gross profit262,508 223,771 427,413 470,641 
Income before income taxes124,935 61,579 261,855 367,232 
Net income177,925 54,713 248,304 347,115 
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. 178,990 54,620 248,766 347,504 

Regulation S-X promulgated by the "Explanatory Note" at the beginningSEC also requires separate financial statements of significant equity method investment to be filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K and Note 2, Restatementwhen the equity income attributable to a significant equity method investments exceeds 20% of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statementsincome before income taxes for any of our fiscal years for which financial statements are required to be presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As equity income from our investment in CF Nitrogen exceeded 20% of our income before income taxes for the Notesfiscal year ended August 31, 2020, separate financial statements for CF Nitrogen will be filed as an amendment to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K unaudited interim financial information for the annual and quarterly periodswithin 90 days after CF Nitrogen's fiscal year ended November 30, 2016 and 2017, February 28, 2017 and 2018, Mayon December 31, 2017 and 2018, and August 31, 2017, has been restated. Refer to Note 18, Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details related to the categories of misstatements and the impact on the unaudited interim financial information.2020.

 For the Three Months Ended
 August 31,
2018
 
(As Restated)
May 31,
2018
 
(As Restated)
February 28,
2018
 
(As Restated)
November 30,
2017
 
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$8,583,982
 $9,087,328
 $6,980,153
 $8,031,884
Gross profit391,362
 245,967
 135,304
 320,827
Income (loss) before income taxes248,332
 236,839
 (21,729) 207,788
Net income (loss)240,545
 181,620
 165,959
 187,182
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. 240,447
 181,807
 166,007
 187,646

 For the Three Months Ended
 
(As Restated)
August 31,
2017
 
(As Restated)
May 31,
2017
 
(As Restated)
February 28,
2017
 
(As Restated)
November 30,
2016
 
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$7,996,339
 $8,638,410
 $7,400,773
 $8,001,904
Gross profit91,626
 221,146
 235,508
 346,380
Income (loss) before income taxes(109,088) (238,612) 18,302
 219,232
Net income (loss)(74,327) (72,488) 14,617
 203,156
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. (74,450) (71,533) 14,211
 203,364



53



ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE


None.



ITEM 9A.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements:

As described in the "Explanatory Note" at the beginning of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, on October 22, 2018, the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, after considering the recommendations of management, concluded that our audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, included in our 2017 Annual Report, and our unaudited consolidated financial statements for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, and May 31, 2018 and 2017, included in our 2018 Quarterly Reports, should no longer be relied upon due to misstatements, and that we would restate such financial statements to make the necessary accounting corrections. This Annual Report on Form 10-K includes consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2018, and 2017, as well as relevant unaudited interim financial information for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2018 and 2017. The consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, selected financial data (Item 6. "Selected Financial Data") for the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, and relevant unaudited interim financial statements for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2017, included within this Annual Report on Form 10-K, have been restated.


Disclosure Controls and Procedures:Procedures


Our management evaluated,    Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended)amended ("Exchange Act")), as of August 31, 2018, the end of the period covered by this Annual Report2020. Based on Form 10-K. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, due to the identificationas of material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, as further described below,that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of August 31, 2018.effective.


Management’sManagement's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:Reporting


Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.


46

Our internal control system is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections ofprojecting any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods areis subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of August 31, 2018. In making this assessment, management usedusing the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based on management’s assessment using this framework, management concluded that, as of August 31, 2018, we did not maintain effective internal control over financial reporting due to the fact that there are material weaknesses in2020, our internal control over financial reporting as further described below.was effective.


A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combinationThis Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of deficiencies, inour independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting, suchreporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the Financial Reform Bill passed in July 2010 that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatementpermits us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Remediation of Previously Identified Material Weaknesses

We previously identified and disclosed in our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detectedAnnual Report on a timely basis.

Management identifiedForm 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019, the following material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, each of which has been remediated, as of August 31, 2018:described below:


We did not design and consistently maintain effective monitoring controls related to the design and operating effectiveness of our internal controls. Specifically, we did not implement and reinforce an adequate process for monitoring the proper functioning of internal controlcontrols to verify that our accounting policies and procedures are consistently and adequately being performed, as relevant, by a sufficient number of resources with the appropriate knowledge and training. This material weakness contributed to the following additional material weaknesses:


54




We did not design and maintain effective controls over the review of journal entries and account reconciliations in our Grain Marketing operations. Specifically, we did not design and maintain effective controls to ensure that journal entries and account reconciliations were (i) properly prepared with sufficient supporting documentation or (ii) reviewed and approved to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the resulting journal entries.

We did not design and maintain effective internal controls over the accounting for intercompany transactions. Specifically, we did not design and maintain effective controls to ensure intercompany transactions are completely and accurately identified, reconciled, evaluated and eliminated.

We did not design and maintain effective controls over the accounting for freight contracts in our Grain Marketing operations. Specifically, we did not design and maintain effective controls to verify (i) the review over the accounting for freight contracts was being performed by the appropriate individuals, with the requisite level of knowledge, training and skill, to ensure freight contracts met the criteria to be accounted for as a derivative or (ii) the accuracy, existence and valuation of freight contracts.
These material weaknesses resulted in the restatement of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2016 and 2017, restatement of each of the interim periods in the fiscal years 2017 and 2018 and the misstatements in fiscal year 2018.

We also did not design and maintain effective controls over certain information technology ("IT") general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of our financial statements. Specifically, we did not design and maintain sufficient (i) testing and approval controls for program development to ensure the implementation of a new ERP system was aligned with business and IT requirements, or (ii) user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties, or that adequately restrict user and privileged access to certain financial applications, programs and data to appropriate personnel. These control deficiencies resulted in misstatements to the Inventoryinventory and Cost of Goods Sold accountsCOGS and related disclosures for the third quarter of fiscal 2018. Additionally, the deficiencies, when aggregated, could impact the maintenance of effective segregation of duties, as well as the effectiveness of IT-dependentIT dependent controls (such as automated controls that address the risk of material misstatement to one or more assertions, along with the IT controls and underlying data that support the effectiveness of system-generated data and reports) that could result in misstatements potentially impacting all financial statement accounts and disclosures that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, our management has determined that these control deficiencies constitute material weaknesses.


Additionally, eachDuring the first three quarters of fiscal 2020 we substantially completed the above material weaknesses could result in a misstatement ofprojects designed and implemented to remediate the aforementioned account balances or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the Financial Reform Bill passed in July 2010 that permits us to provide only management’s report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Remediation Plan and Status:

In response to thepreviously identified material weaknesses, our management, with the oversight of the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, has dedicated significant resources, including the involvement of outside advisors, and efforts to improve our internal control over financial reporting. We continue to actively plan for and implement additional control procedures, including (i) redesigning and/or enhancing control activities related to preparation and review of account reconciliations and journal entries related to our Grain Marketing Operations; (ii) redesigning and implementing control activities related to intercompany transactions;(iii) instituting additional training programs for our finance, accounting, operations, IT and other necessary personnel; (iv) evaluating the quality of and sufficiency of our finance, accounting and other internal control personnel and resources; (v)(1) establishing the appropriate roles and responsibilities within the organization, implementing formal programs for finance, accounting, operations and IT personnel, and reinforcing an adequate process for monitoring proper functioning of internal controls to verify that our organization to improve ouraccounting policies and procedures are consistently and adequately being performed, as relevant, by a sufficient number of resources with the appropriate knowledge and expertisetraining and (2) designing and implementing controls over internal control overcertain IT general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of our financial reporting; (vi) implementing IT projectstatements . During the quarter ended August 31, 2020, we completed the testing oversight and management;evaluation of the operating effectiveness of the remediated controls and (vii) evaluatingconcluded that the manual and automated IT control environment surrounding critical enterprise resource planning systems, including the new ERP system.


55



We believe the measures described above will remediate thepreviously identified material weaknesses we have identified and strengthen our internal control over financial reporting. We are committed to continuing to improve our internal control processes and will continue to review, optimize and enhance our financial reporting controls and procedures. As we continue to evaluate and work to improve our internal control over financial reporting, we may take additional measures to address control deficiencies, or we may modify, or in appropriate circumstances not complete, certainbeen remediated as of the remediation measures described above. These material weaknesses will not be considered remediated until the applicable remedial controls operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.August 31, 2020.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting:Reporting


We areThere have been no changes in the process of implementing an ERP system. The ERP system is expected to take several years to fully implement and has and will continue to require significant capital and human resources to deploy. The implementation of the ERP system will affect the processes that constitute our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) and management has taken steps to ensureAct) during the quarter ended August 31, 2020, that appropriate controls are designed and implemented as the ERP system is deployed.

Other than as described in the paragraph above, during our fourth fiscal quarter, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that hashave materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


47

ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION


None.On November 5, 2020, we and Mr. Debertin entered into an amendment ("Employment Agreement Amendment") to the employment agreement we entered into with Mr. Debertin on May 22, 2017 ("Employment Agreement"), pursuant to which the term of the Employment Agreement was extended to August 31, 2023, provided that, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, beginning on August 31, 2023, and on each August 31 thereafter, the Employment Agreement will automatically renew for an additional one-year period, unless either party notifies the other in writing, at least 120 days in advance of the renewal date, of its intent not to renew the agreement for an additional one-year period.


The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement Amendment does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Employment Agreement Amendment, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1A to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
56
48




PART III.III


ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE


BOARD OF DIRECTORS


The table below provides certain information regarding each of our directors, as of August 31, 2018.2020.
NameAgeDirector
Region
Director Since
David Beckman6082018
Clinton J. Blew4382010
Hal Clemensen6042019
Scott Cordes5912017
Jon Erickson6032011
Mark Farrell6152016
Steve Fritel6532003
Alan Holm6012013
David Johnsrud6612012
Tracy Jones5752017
David Kayser6142006
Russell Kehl4562017
Edward Malesich6722011
Perry Meyer6612014
Steve Riegel6882006
Daniel Schurr5572006
Kevin Throener4832019
NameAge 
Director
Region
 Director Since
Donald Anthony68 8 2006
Clinton J. Blew41 8 2010
Dennis Carlson57 3 2001
Scott Cordes57 1 2017
Jon Erickson58 3 2011
Mark Farrell59 5 2016
Steve Fritel63 3 2003
Alan Holm58 1 2013
David Johnsrud64 1 2012
Tracy Jones55 5 2017
David Kayser59 4 2006
Russ Kehl43 6 2017
Randy Knecht68 4 2001
Edward Malesich65 2 2011
Perry Meyer64 1 2014
Steve Riegel66 8 2006
Daniel Schurr53 7 2006


As a cooperative, members of our Board of Directors are nominated and elected by our members as required by our bylaws. As described below under “Director"Director Elections and Voting," to ensure geographic representation of our members, the Board of Directors represents eight regions in which our members are located. The members in each region nominate and elect the number of directors for that region as set forth in our bylaws. Neither management nor the incumbent directors have any control over the nominating process for directors. As described below under “Director"Director Elections and Voting," to be eligible for service as a director, a nominee must, among other things, (i) be an active farmer or rancher whose primary occupation is that of a farmer or rancher, (ii) be a Class A Individual Memberindividual member of CHS or a cooperative association member of a Cooperative Association Member and (iii) reside in the geographic region from which he or she is nominated. In general, our directors operate large commercial agricultural enterprises, which require expertise in all areas of management, including financial oversight. They also have experience serving on local cooperative association boards and participate in a variety of agricultural and community organizations. Some directors also have experience serving on boards of directors for financial and other institutions and businesses. Our directors complete the National Association of Corporate Directors Comprehensivecomprehensive Director Professionalism course and earn the Certificate of Director Education.


Donald Anthony David Beckman has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006.2018. He serves onas vice chair of the Government Relations Committee and is a member of the Corporate Risk Committee. He serves as board chair for Central Valley Ag Cooperative in York, Nebraska, and Government Relations committees.secretary of the Nebraska Cooperative Council. He holds a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in agricultural economicsagronomy from the University of Nebraska.Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Anthony’sBeckman's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, andyears. In partnership with his family, he raises irrigated corn and soybeans and alfalfaoperates a custom hog-feeding operation near Lexington,Elgin, Nebraska.


Clinton J. Blew, first vice chairman,First Vice Chair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2010. Since 2017, Mr. Blew has served as first vice chairmanchair of the Board and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board.Committee. He also serves on the Audit and Corporate RiskCapital committees. He is a member of the board of directors of Mid Kansas Coop, ("MKC"), Moundridge, Kansas, and is a member of the Hutchinson Community College Ag Advisory Board, Kansas Livestock Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and Red Angus Association of America. He holds an applied science degree in farm and ranch management from Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College. Mr. Blew’sBlew's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and he farms and ranches in a family partnership in south-central Kansas.


57
49


Dennis Carlson Hal Clemensen has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2001.2019. He serves as chairman of the Capital Committee and asis a member of the Governance Committee.Government Relations and Corporate Risk committees. He serves on the Agtegra Cooperative board. He also serves on the board of trustees for Presentation College and the Avera Rural Cancer Advisory Board. Previously, he served as a director of the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center, South Dakota Soybean Association and Redfield Farmers Union Oil Company. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics and agricultural business from South Dakota State University. Mr. Carlson’sClemensen’s principal occupation has been farming for more than five years,years. He and he raiseshis wife raise corn, soybeans and wheat sunflowersin Brown and soybeans near Mandan, NorthSpink counties in South Dakota.


Scott Cordes has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. He serves onas vice chair of the Government RelationsAudit Committee and vice chair of the Corporate Risk committees.Committee. He serves as a director and past chairmanchair of Security State Bank of Wanamingo, (Minnesota).Minnesota. He also serves as a member of the board for the Cooperative Network. Previously, he served as director of the Minneapolis Grain ExchangeMGEX and National Futures Association. He holds a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Cordes’Cordes' principal occupation has been farming for more than twofour years. In 1995,Prior to his current occupation, he joined CHS and most recently served as thewas president of CHS Hedging, LLC, a commodities brokerage subsidiary of CHS Inc., until 2016. He operates a corn and soybean farm near Wanamingo, Minnesota.Wanamingo.


Jon Erickson, second vice chairman,Second Vice Chair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2011. Since 2017, he has been second vice chairmanchair of the Executive Committee of the Board. He isalso serves as chair of the Capital Committee and as a member of the Audit and Capital committees.Committee. He is a member of the North Dakota Farmers Union and North Dakota Stockmen’sStockmen's Association. He holds a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University. Mr. Erickson’sErickson's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and heyears. He raises grains and oilseeds and operates a commercial Hereford-Angus cow-calf business near Minot, North Dakota.


Mark Farrell has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2016. He serves as vice chairmanchair of the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees and as a member of the Audit Committee. Previously, he served as a director and president of the Premier Cooperative board and as a director of Mount Horeb Farmers Co-op and United Ethanol. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Agricultural & Life Sciences Farm & Industry Short Course. Mr. Farrell’sFarrell's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn, soybeans and wheat in Dane County, Wisconsin.


Steve Fritel has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2003. He serves as vice chairmanchair of the Corporate Risk Committee and as a member of the Audit Committee. He earned an associate’sassociate degree from North Dakota State College of Science. Mr. Fritel’sFritel's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises spring wheat, soybeans, edible beans, corn and canola near Rugby, North Dakota. He also runs a family business providing on-farm grain storage equipment.equipment and sells some of his edible beans to local family-owned restaurants.


Alan Holm has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2013. He serves as chair of the Government Relations Committee and is chairmana member of the Corporate Risk Committee and vice chairman of the Government Relations Committee. He also serves on the board for Citizens Bank of Minnesota. Mr. Holm holds an associate’sassociate degree in machine tool technology from Mankato Technical College. Mr. Holm's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn, soybeans, sweet corn, peas and hay and operates a cow-calf herd near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.


David Johnsrud secretary-treasurer, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2012. Since 2017, he has been secretary-treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Board. He serves as a member of the CapitalGovernment Relations and GovernanceCapital committees. He also serves as a member of the board for the Cooperative Network.
Previously, he served as board chair of AgCountry Farm Credit Services and on the boards of the Minnesota Farm Credit Legislative Committee, Farmers Union Oil, CHS Prairie Lakes, Mid-Minnesota Association and Minnesota State Co-op Directors Association. Mr. Johnsrud’s principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and heyears. He raises corn and soybeans near Starbuck, Minnesota.


Tracy Jones has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. He is a member of the Governance and Capital committees. He serves on the Governance Committee andDeKalb County board. Previously, he served on the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a board memberboards of CHS Elburn, (Illinois)DeKalb Kane Cattlemen's Association and has been its board chairman since 2011.DeKalb County Corn Growers. He earned an associate degree in farm management from Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. Mr. Jones’ primaryJones' principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He operates a fourth-generation family farm near Kirkland, Illinois, that raises corn, soybeans and wheat and feeds cattle.


David Kayser has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006. He is chairmanserves as chair of the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees and vice chairmanas a member of the AuditGovernance Committee. Mr. Kayser is a member of the Mitchell (South Dakota) Technical Institute Foundation Board.Board and a previous director and chair of CHS Farmers Alliance and South Dakota Association of Cooperatives. Mr. Kayser’sKayser's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn, soybeans and hay near Alexandria, South Dakota, and operates a cow-calf and feeder-calf business.


Russ
50

Russell Kehl, Secretary-Treasurer,has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. Since 2019, Mr. Kehl has served as secretary-treasurer of the Board and a member of the Executive Committee. He also serves onas vice chair of the Capital Committee and vice chair of the Governance and Capital committees.Committee. He previously served as a directormember of the producer board of CHS SunBasin Growers and vice chairmanchair of the Columbia Basin Seed Association. Mr. Kehl’sKehl's primary occupation has been farming for more than five years. He and his wife operate a farm near Quincy, Washington, that produces crops, primarily potatoes and dry beans, and includes a cow-calf herd. His family also owns a dry bean processing facility, runs a custom farming business, and owns and operates a trucking and logistics company.



58



Randy Knecht has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2001. He is chairman of the Government Relations Committee and vice chairman of the Capital Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from South Dakota State University. Mr. Knecht’s principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and he operates a diversified family farm operation near Houghton, South Dakota, raising corn, soybeans, alfalfa and beef cattle.

Edward Malesich has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2011. He chairsserves as chair of the Governance Committee and serves onas a member of the Capital Committee.CHS Foundation Board of Trustees. He is a member of Montana Stock Growers Association, Montana Grain Growers Association, Montana Farm Bureau Federation, Montana Farmers Union and Montana Council of Co-ops. He holds a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in agricultural production from Montana State University. Mr. Malesich’sMalesich's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and heyears. He raises Angus cattle, wheat, malt barley and hay near Dillon, Montana.


Perry Meyer has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2014. He is chairmanserves as chair of the Audit Committee and serves onis a member of the Corporate Risk Committee. He serves as director of Heartland Corn Products Cooperative and is a member of United Farmers Co-op, Central Region Cooperative, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota and Nicollet County corn growers associations, and Minnesota Pork Producers Association. He serves as a director of Steamboat Pork Cooperative, chairmanchair of NU-Telecom Boardthe board of Nuvera Communications, Inc. and director of Minnesota Valley Lutheran School Foundation. He holds an agricultural mechanics degree from Alexandria (Minnesota) Technical School. Mr. Meyer’sMeyer's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and heyears. He operates a family farm, raising corn, soybean and hogs near New Ulm, Minnesota.


Steve Riegel, assistant secretary-treasurer,Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006. HeMr. Riegel serves as the assistant secretary-treasurer of the Executive CommitteeBoard and chair of the Board.Executive Committee. He is vice chairmanalso a member of the Governance Committee and serves on the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees.Capital committees. He serves asis an advisory director of Bucklin (Kansas) National Bank. He attended Fort Hays (Kansas) State University, majoring in agriculture, business and animal science. Mr. Riegel’sRiegel's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and heyears. He raises irrigated corn, soybeans, alfalfa, dryland wheat and milo and operates a cow-calf operation near Ford, Kansas.
Daniel Schurr, chairmanChair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006. Since 2017, Mr. Schurr has served as chairmanchair of the Board and chair of the Executive Committee of the Board.Committee. He serves on the Blackhawk Bank and Trust board and audit and loan committees and on the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area board. He holds a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in agricultural business with a minor in economics from Iowa State University. Mr. Schurr’sSchurr's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn and soybeans near LeClaire, Iowa, and operates a commercial trucking business.


Kevin Throenerhas been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2019. He is a member of the Governance Committee and the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees. He serves as a CHS Dakota Plains director and is active in the North Dakota Farmers Union, the North Dakota Stockmen's Association and Knights of Columbus. He attended North Dakota State University, majoring in agricultural systems management. Mr. Throener's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. Mr. Throener and his wife raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cattle near Cogswell, North Dakota.

Director Elections and Voting


Director elections are for three-year terms and are open to any qualified candidate. The qualificationsQualifications for the office of director are as follows:

At the time of declaration of candidacy, the individual (except in the case of an incumbent) must have the written endorsement of a locally elected producer board that is part of the CHS system and located within the region from which the individual is to be a candidate.
At the time of the election, the individual must be less than 68 years old.


The remaining qualifications set forth below must be met at all times commencing six months prior to the time of election and while the individual holds office:

The individual must be a Class A Individual Memberindividual member of CHS or a member of a Cooperative Association Member.cooperative association member.
The individual must reside in the region from which he or she is to be elected.
51

The individual must be an active farmer or rancher. “Active"Active farmer or rancher”rancher" means an individual whose primary occupation is that of a farmer or rancher, excluding anyone who is an employee of oursCHS or of a Cooperative Association Member.cooperative association member.


The following positions on the Board of Directors will be up for re-electionelection at the 20182020 Annual Meeting of Members:
RegionCurrent Incumbent
Region 1 (Minnesota)David JohnsrudScott Cordes
Region 1 (Minnesota)Perry Meyer
Region 2 (Montana, Wyoming)Open Seat
Region 3 (North Dakota)Steve FritelJon Erickson
Region 4 (South Dakota)5 (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin)David KayserTracy Jones
Region 6 (Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Utah)7 (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee)Russ KehlDaniel Schurr
Region 8 (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas)Open SeatClinton J. Blew



59




Voting rights, including those in regard to director elections, arise by virtue of membership in CHS, not because of ownership of any equity or debt instruments; therefore, our preferred stockholdersshareholders cannot recommend nominees to our Board of Directors nor vote in regard to director elections unless they are Class A or Class C Membersmembers of CHS.


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS


The table below lists our executive officers as appointed by the CHS Board of Directors as of August 31, 2018.
2020.
NameAgeAgePosition
Jay Debertin58
60
President and Chief Executive Officer
Richard Dusek54
56
Executive Vice President, CHS Country Operations
Darin Hunhoff48
50
Executive Vice President, Energy and FoodsProcessing
Timothy SkidmoreOlivia Nelligan57
45
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
James Zappa54
56
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
David Black52
54
Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy and Chief Information Officer
John Griffith49
51
Senior Vice President, CHS Global Grain Marketing and Renewable FuelsCHS Hedging, LLC
Gary Halvorson45
47
Senior Vice President, CHS Agronomy
Mary Kaul-Hottinger56Senior Vice President, Human Resources


Jay Debertin has beenPresidentpresident and Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer ("CEO") for CHS since May 2017. He leads the CHS strategic leadership team in strengthening the companyCHS by advancing operational excellence, accelerating its focus on results and delivering products and services that help the cooperative’scooperative's owners grow.grow their businesses. Mr. Debertin joined CHS in 1984 in the petroleum division and held a variety of positions in its energy marketing operations before being named Vice President, Crude Oil Supply,vice president of crude oil supply in 1998. In 2001, his responsibilities expanded to include crude oil supply, refining, pipelines and terminals, trading and risk management, and transportation.From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Debertin was Executive Vice Presidentexecutive vice president and Chief Operating Officerchief operating officer for Processingprocessing at CHS. From 2010 to 2017, he served as Executive Vice Presidentexecutive vice president and Chief Operating Officerchief operating officer of Energy and Foods where he led energy, transportation and processing and food ingredients at CHS. Mr. Debertin serves as board chairmanchair for Ventura Foods.Foods and serves on the board of directors for Securian Financial. He earned a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Dakota and a Mastermaster of Business Administrationbusiness administration degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison.

Richard Dusek has been Executive Vice President,executive vice president, CHS Country Operations for CHS since November 2017. He is responsibleleading the CHS retail platform as a critical distribution channel for the divisionour core businesses, aligning an enterprise supply chain to drive efficiencies in delivering agriculturalcrop inputs, energy products, grain marketing,fuels, animal nutrition and other farm supplies to producers through retail businesses in 16 states.and marketing the grain produced by farmer owners. Mr. Dusek serves on the board of directors for The Fertilizer Institute.Institute and is a past board member of the MGEX. He joined CHS 30 years agoin 1988 as a wheat trader. He has also been the director of merchandising,Prior to leading our retail business, Mr. Dusek held vice president ofroles in our grain marketing and vice president of CHS agronomy.agronomy divisions. He earned a bachelor’sbachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University and completedhe is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program.

52

Darin Hunhoff has been Executive Vice President,executive vice president, Energy and Foods, for CHSProcessing since May 2017. He leads CHS energy operations including refineries, pipelines and terminals, refined fuels, propane, lubricants and transportation. He also leads CHS Processingprocessing and Food Ingredients,food ingredients at CHS, which includes our soybean and canola oilseed crushing and soybean processing plants.refining operations, ethanol production platform and sunflower business. In addition, he oversees the CHS Aligned SolutionsCooperative Resources group, which provides leadership development and strategic business advisoryplanning services to local cooperatives. Mr. Hunhoff serves on the board of directors for Ardent Mills. He joined CHS more than 25 years ago as a petroleum specialist. He has also been chief strategy officer for CHS and has spent several years in energy leadership roles, including time as senior vice president of refined fuels.fuels and vice president of propane. He earned a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in marketing and business management from Southwest Minnesota State UniversityUniversity.

    Olivia Nelligan is the executive vice president and chief financial officer for CHS, joining the organization in Marshall, Minnesota.

Timothy Skidmore has beenExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since joining CHS in August 2013. HeJanuary 2020. She is responsible for accounting, treasury, credit and finance activities across CHS. Mr. Skidmore chairsCHS and was recently appointed as chair of the CHS Retirement Plan Committee and serves as a trustee for the Science Museum of Minnesota, where he serves on the Audit and Finance Committee. He also serves as a founding member of World 50’s Finance Officer community, a peer forum for top finance executives. Before joining CHS, he servedMs. Nelligan held executive positions in multiple organizations as Vice President of financewell as acting as a management consultant. From June 2019 until her appointment as our executive vice president and strategy for Campbell North America. He joined Campbell as assistant treasurer in 2001 and held numerous leadership positions, including various business unit chief financial officer, roles.Ms. Nelligan served as chief executive officer of Inish Enterprises, a strategic advisory firm that she founded. Prior to that, Mr. SkidmoreMs. Nelligan served as chief financial officer and subsequently as chief executive officer of Nasco, LLC, a private equity-owned company that provides specialty products for education, healthcare, laboratory testing and agriculture. After serving as Nasco's CEO, she served as nonexecutive chair of its board. Prior to Nasco, Ms. Nelligan spent 15many years at DuPont Co., holding a varietywith Kerry Group plc and was most recently the global chief financial and strategic planning officer of financial leadership positions. Heits Taste and Nutrition division. She holds a bachelor's degree in risk managementcivil law and a higher diploma in business and financial information systems from University College Cork, Ireland, and a master of business administration degree from the University of GeorgiaWisconsin – Madison. She is a Fellow Chartered Accountant and a Masteran associate member of Business Administrationthe Institute of Taxation in finance from Widener University, Chester, Pennsylvania.Ireland.



60



James Zappahas been Executive Vice Presidentexecutive vice president and General Counselgeneral counsel for CHS since April 2015. He provides counsel to CHS leadership and the Board of Directors on company strategy, government affairs, corporate governance, corporate compliance, federal securities reporting and compliance, and disclosure and investor communications. Mr. Zappa also serves as a director for Ventura Foods, LLC and oversees CHS internal audit, CHS enterprise sustainability initiatives, and the CHS Foundation and CorporateCHS Community Giving functions. Mr. Zappa serves as a director for Ventura Foods. Mr. Zappa has informed CHS that as part of his career transition planning, he will transition from his current role as executive vice president and general counsel to another leadership role at CHS, effective with the appointment of a new general counsel. He previously worked at 3M Company for 15 years in various legal and leadership roles including Vice President, Associate General Counselvice president, associate general counsel and Chief Compliance Officer,chief compliance officer, and Vice President, Associate General Counsel, International Operations.vice president, associate general counsel, international operations. Prior to joining 3M, he worked for UnitedHealth Group and for the law firm Dorsey & Whitney. He earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Minnesota Law School, a Master’smaster's degree in communication arts and sciences from the University of Southern California, and a bachelor’s degree from Drake University.


David Black has been Senior Vice President, Enterprise Strategy,senior vice president, enterprise strategy, and chief information officer for CHS since April 2018. He leads enterprise strategy, CHS global information technology, marketing and communications, and facilities. He is responsible for the strategy, implementation, delivery and operation of information technology for all CHS businesses worldwide. He also serves as a director for Ventura Foods. He joined CHS foursix years ago. He previously worked at Monsanto Company where he served as vice president, information technology, overseeing all aspects of information technology for its global commercial businesses. During his 20 years with Monsanto, he also served as vice president, corporate strategy, and president, Monsanto Agro-Services, LLC. Mr. Black earned a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in computer science from Tarkio College in Tarkio, Missouri.College.


John Griffith has been Senior Vice President,senior vice president, CHS Global Grain Marketing and Renewable Fuels for CHS Hedging since April 2018. He leads CHS global grain marketing operations and renewable fuels trading, supply chain management and risk management, including freight, currency, execution and trade finance. Mr. Griffith serves on the Minneapolis Grain ExchangeMGEX and the North American Export Grain Association boards. He also serves as the board chairmanchair for CHS Hedging, a commodities brokerage subsidiary of CHS Inc.CHS. He worked for CHS early in his career as a grain merchandiser and rejoined CHS at a leadership level in January 2013. Since that time, he has held various leadership roles within global grain marketing including vice president, grain marketing North America. He earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John’sJohn's University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and a Mastermaster of Business Administrationbusiness administration degree from Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri.University.


Gary Halvorson has been Senior Vice President,senior vice president, CHS Agronomy for CHS since April 2018. He leads CHSthe our agronomy including allbusiness and its comprehensive supply chain encompassing diverse assets and capabilities to distribute commodity and specialty fertilizers, to seed, crop protection and precision ag technology and services.services to agricultural retailers. Mr. Halvorson servesis on the board of CF Nitrogen and has served on the Agricultural Retailers Association board of directors and the National FFA Sponsors board and represents CHS on the United Prairie board of directors.board. He joined CHS nearlymore than 20 years ago and held various leadership roles with CHS at locations in North Dakota before becoming general manager for CHS Ag Services in Warren, Minnesota. Mr. Halvorson also served as vice president of farm supply offor CHS CountyCountry Operations. He earned a bachelor’sbachelor's degree in business from Concordia University.

53

Mary Kaul-Hottinger has been senior vice president, human resources, for CHS since September 2018. Ms. Kaul-Hottinger sets direction and strategy for human resources with a focus on helping us attract, develop and retain high-performing and diverse employees. Prior to joining CHS, she was vice president, human resources, for Ecolab's global businesses and supported business units with more than 30,000 employees. She previously served in human resources leadership roles at General Mills and Pillsbury. Ms. Kaul-Hottinger has a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCEREPORTS


Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of any class of our preferred stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by the regulations of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.


Based solely upon a review of copies of reports on Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto furnished to usfiled electronically with the SEC during, and reports on Form 5 and amendments thereto furnished to usfiled electronically with the SEC with respect to the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018,2020, and based further upon written representations received by us with respect to the need to file reports on Form 5, no individualspersons filed late reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.during fiscal 2020.


CODE OF ETHICS


We have adopted a code of ethics within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. This code of ethics applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This code of ethics is part of our broader CHS Global Code of Conduct, Policy, which is posted on our website. The Internetinternet address for our website is http://www.chsinc.com and the CHS Global Code of Conduct Policy may be found on the "Compliance""Compliance and integrity" web page, which can be accessed from the "Governance & Compliance" web page, which can be accessed from the "Our Company""About CHS" web page, which can be accessed from our main web page. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer on the "Compliance""Compliance and integrity" web page of our website. The information contained on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated in, this report or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC.


61




AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS


The Board of Directors has a separately designated standing Audit Committee for the purpose of overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. TheIn fiscal 2020, the Audit Committee iswas comprised of Mr. Blew, Mr. Cordes, Mr. Erickson, Mr. Farrell, Mr. Fritel Mr. Kayser and Mr. Meyer (chairman)(chair), each of whom is an independent director. The Audit Committee has oversight responsibility to our ownersmember-owners relating to our financial statements and the financial reporting process, preparation of the financial reports and other financial information provided by us to any governmental or regulatory body, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the internal audit function and the annual independent audit of our financial statements. The Audit Committee assures that the corporate information gathering and reporting systems developed by management represent a good faith attempt to provide senior management and the Board of Directors with information regarding material acts, events and conditions within CHS. In addition, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm.


We do not believe that any member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is an "audit committee financial expert”expert" as defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations thereunder. As a cooperative, members of our Board of Directors are nominated and elected by our members. To ensure geographic representation of our members, the Board of Directors represents eight regions in which our members are located. The Voting Membersvoting members in each region nominate and elect the number of directors for that region as set forth in our bylaws. To be eligible for service as a director, a nominee must among other things, (i) be an active farmer or rancher, (ii) be a Class A Individual Memberindividual member of CHS or a cooperative association member of a Cooperative Association Member and (iii) reside in the geographic region from which he or she is nominated. Neither management nor the incumbent directors have any control over the nominating process for directors. Because of the nomination procedure and the election process, we cannot ensure that an elected director serving on our Audit Committee will be an "auditaudit committee financial expert. However, many of our directors, including all of the Audit Committee members, are financially sophisticated and have experience or background in which they have had significant financial management or oversight responsibilities. The current Audit Committee includes directors who have served as presidents or chairmenchairs of local cooperative association boards. Members of the Board of Directors, including the Audit Committee, also operate large commercial enterprises requiring expertise in all areas of management, including financial oversight.

54

62




ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


Compensation Discussion and Analysis


Executive Compensation


Overview


This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of compensation awarded to each of the following executive officers (our "Named("Named Executive Officers") for fiscal 2018,2020, which ran from September 1, 2017,2019, through August 31, 2018:
2020:
NamePosition
Jay DebertinPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Timothy SkidmoreOlivia NelliganExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Darin HunhoffExecutive Vice President, Energy and FoodsProcessing
James ZappaExecutive Vice President and General Counsel
Richard DusekExecutive Vice President, CHS Country Operations
Shirley CunninghamAngela OlsonawskiSenior Vice President, Corporate Treasurer and Former Interim Chief Financial Officer
Timothy SkidmoreFormer Executive Vice President Ag Business and Enterprise StrategyChief Financial Officer


Changes to ourin Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2018 included2020 include the additionretirement of Richard Dusek, our Executive Vice President, Country Operations. Shirley Cunningham,Timothy Skidmore, our former Executive Vice President, Ag Businessexecutive vice president and Enterprise Strategy, leftchief financial officer, who retired from CHS on May 4, 2018.December 31, 2019, and who ceased to serve as our executive vice president and chief financial officer on November 7, 2019. Angela Olsonawski, our senior vice president and corporate treasurer, served as our interim chief financial officer and principal financial officer from November 7, 2019, until Olivia Nelligan became our executive vice president and chief financial officer on January 29, 2020.

    
CHS is an organization that exists to among other things, helpcreate connections to empower agriculture, for the benefit of our producer and local cooperative owners and the communities in which our owners grow.and we live and operate. CHS compensation programs are designed to attract, retain and reward the executives who carry out this promise,purpose and align them around attainment of CHS short-long-term strategies and long-term success.short-term priorities.


This section outlines the compensation and benefit programs as well as the materials and factors used to assist us in making compensation decisions. In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the related compensation tables and the accompanying narratives, all references to a given year refer to our fiscal year ending on August 31 of that year.
    
Compensation Philosophy and Objectives


The Governance Committee of our Board of Directors("Governance Committee") oversees the administration of, and the fundamental changes to, our executive compensation and benefits programs. The primary principles and objectives in compensating our executive officers include:


Attract and retain exceptional talent who meet our leadership expectations and are engaged and committed to the long-term success of CHS by providing market-competitive compensation and benefit programs;
Align executive rewards to quantifiable annual and long-term performance goals that drive enterprise results and provide competitive returns to our member-owners;
Emphasize pay for performance by providing a total direct compensation mix of fixed and variable pay that is primarily weighted on annual and long-term incentives in order to reward annual and sustained performance over the long term; and
Ensure compliance with government mandates and regulations.


There are no material changes anticipated to our compensation philosophy or objectives for fiscal 2019.2021.


Components of Executive Compensation and Benefits


Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain highly qualified executives and to motivate them to optimize member-owner returns and to achieve our long-term strategies by achieving specified goals. The compensation program links executive compensation directly to our annual and long-term financial performance. A significant
55

portion of each executive’sexecutive's compensation is dependent upondepends on meeting financial goals and a smaller portion is linked to individual performance objectives.



63



Each year, the    The Governance Committee of our Board of Directors reviews our executive compensation policies each year with respect to the correlation between executive compensation and the creation of member-owner value, as well as the competitiveness of our executive compensation programs. The Governance Committee, with input from a third-party consultant if necessary, determines what, if any, changes are appropriate to our executive compensation programs, including the incentive plan goals applicable to our Named Executive Officers under the incentive compensation plans to which they and other employees are eligible. TheA third-party consultant is chosen and hired directly by the GovernanceExecutive Committee to provide guidance regarding market competitivemarket-competitive levels of base pay, annual variable pay and long-term incentive pay, as well as market competitivemarket-competitive allocations between base pay, annual variable pay and long-term incentive pay for our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").CEO. The data is shared with our Board of Directors, which makes final decisions regarding our CEO’sCEO's base pay, annual incentive pay and long-term incentive pay, as well as the allocation of compensation between base pay, annual incentive pay and long-term incentive pay. There are no formal policies for allocation between long-term and short-term compensation, other than the intention of beingto be competitive with the external compensation market for comparable positions and beingto be consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives. The GovernanceExecutive Committee recommends to our Board of Directors salary actions relative to our CEO and approves annual and long-term incentive awards for theour CEO based on performance of the CompanyCHS compared to the financial targetsgoals and, as applicable, individual performance. In turn, our Board of Directors communicates this pay information to our CEO. Our CEO is not involved with the selection of the third-party consultant and does not participate in or observe GovernanceExecutive Committee meetings that concern CEO compensation matters. Based on a review of compensation market data provided by our human resources department (survey sources and pricing methodology are explained below under “Components"Components of Compensation”Compensation"), with input from a third-party consultant if necessary, our CEO decides base compensation levels for the other Named Executive Officers, recommends for Board of Directors approval the annual and long-term incentive pay plan performance goals applicable to the other Named Executive Officers (and other employees) and communicates base and incentive compensation pay to the other Named Executive Officers. The day-to-day design and administration of compensation and benefit plans are managed by our human resources, finance and legal departments.


Components of Compensation


Our executive compensation and benefits program consists of seven components. Each component is designed to be competitive within the executive compensation market. In determining competitive compensation levels, we analyze information from independent compensation surveys, which includesurvey information, regardingincluding comparable industries, markets, revenues and companies that compete with us for executive talent. The surveys used for this analysis inIn fiscal 2018 included a combination of2020, the following sources: AonHewitt Total Compensation Measurement, Mercer Benchmark Database Executive Compensation Survey and Towers Watson CDB Executive Compensation Survey Report. TheReport was used for this analysis, and the survey data extracted from these surveys includesincluded median market rates for base salary, annual incentive, total cash compensation and total direct compensation. Companies included in the surveyssurvey vary by industry, revenue and number of employees, and represent both public and private ownership, as well as non-profit,nonprofit, government and mutual organizations. Compensation paid by a comparator group of industry specific companies, which includes 16 private, public and cooperative organizations in the agronomy, energy, food and grain industries, is also considered when making compensation decisions.


The following companies comprised the 20182020 comparator group:
AgriumCargillLand O'LakesComparator Group
AndersonsArcher-Daniels-MidlandConAgra FoodsConagra BrandsMonsantoKinder MorganMosaic
Archer Daniels MidlandBungeDean FoodsConocoPhillipsMosaicKoch IndustriesNutrien
AshlandCF IndustriesKinder MorganDean FoodsLand O'LakesValero Energy
BungeCargillKoch IndustriesHollyFrontierMarathon PetroleumWilliams Companies
CF Industries


The emphasis of our executive compensation package is weighted more on variable pay through annual variable pay and long-term incentive awards. This is consistent with our compensation philosophy of emphasizing a strong link between pay, employee performance and business goals to foster a clear line-of-sightline of sight and strong commitment to CHSour short-term and long-term success and also aligns our programs with general market practices. The goal is to provide our executives with an overall compensation package that is competitive in comparable industries, companies and markets. We target the market median compensation for base pay, target total cash and target total direct compensation, and the 75th percentile for total direct compensation forwhen we achieve above market performance.    



64



For fiscal 2018,2020, base pay was belowslightly above the market median, total cash compensation was abovegenerally consistent with the market median and total direct compensation was above the market median. The total cash compensation was generally consistent with the market median because, although actual earned annual variable pay awards were below target performance, this was offset by the payments made with respect to the 2017 Retention Awards, as described in greater detail below. If the payments with respect to the 2017 Retention Awards had not been made in fiscal 2020, total cash compensation would have
56

been below the market median. The above market median total cashdirect compensation occurred because actual earned annual variable paylong-term incentive awards exceeded Targetfor the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period were achieved at the superior level of performance, and because of the payments with respect to the 2017 Retention Award. Even if the payments with respect to the 2017 Retention Award had not been made in fiscal 2020, total direct compensation levels were belowwould still have been above the market median because no awards were earned under the CHS Long Term Incentive Plan (the "LTIP") for the 2016-2018 performance period.median.

    

The following table presents a more detailed breakout of each compensation element:

Pay Element
Definition
Definition of Pay Element
Purpose
Purpose of Pay Element
Base PayCompetitive base level of compensation provided relative to skills, experience, knowledge and contributions• Provides the fundamental element of compensation for carrying out duties of the job
Annual Variable PayBroad-based employee short-term performance basedperformance-based variable pay incentive for achieving predetermined annual financial and individual performance goals
• Provides a direct link between pay and annual business objectives

• Pay for performance to motivate and encourage the achievement of critical business initiatives

• Encourages proper expense control and containment
Profit SharingBroad-basedSelective employee short-term performance basedperformance-based variable pay incentive for achieving predetermined annual financial goals
• Provides a direct link between employee pay and CHSour profitability


Long-Term Incentive PlansLong-term performance basedperformance-based incentive for senior management to achieve predetermined triennial returnReturn on adjusted equity performance or return on invested capitalInvested Capital ("ROIC") goals
• Provides a direct link between senior management pay and long-term strategic business objectives

• Aligns management and member-owner interests

• Encourages retention of key management
Retirement BenefitsRetirement benefits under the qualified retirement plans are identical to the broad-based retirement plans generally available to all full-time employees• These benefits are a part of our broad-based employee total rewards program designed to attract and retain quality employees
The supplemental plans include non-qualifiednonqualified retirement benefits that restore qualified benefits contained in our broad-based plans for employees whose retirement benefits are limited by salary caps under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal("Internal Revenue Code"). In; in addition, the plans allow participants to voluntarily defer receipt of a portion of their income• These benefits are provided to attract and retain senior managers with total rewards programs that are competitive with comparable companies
Health & Welfare BenefitsMedical, dental, vision, life insurance and short-term disability benefits generally available to all full-time employees. Certain officers, including our Named Executive Officers, also are eligible for executive long-term disability benefits• With the exception of executive long-term disability benefits, these benefits are a part of our broad-based employee total rewards program designed to attract and retain quality employees
Additional BenefitsAdditional benefits provided to certain officers, including our Named Executive Officers• These benefits are provided as part of an overall total rewards package that strives to be competitive with comparable companies and retain individuals who are critical to CHSus


65




Explanation of Ratio of Salary and Bonus to Total Compensation


The structure of our executive compensation package is focused on a suitable mix of base pay, annual variable pay and long-term incentive awards in order to encourage executive officers and employees to strive to achieve goals that benefit our member-owners’member-owners' interests over the long term and to better align our programs with general market practices.










57

Fiscal 20182020 Executive Compensation Mix at Target


The charts below illustrate the mix of base salary, annual variable pay at target performance (2018(2020 Plan), and long-term incentive compensation at target performance (2016-2018(2018-2020 Plan) for fiscal 20182020 for our CEO and the other Named Executive Officers as a group.

ceotargetpaymix.jpgneotargetpaymix.jpgchscp-20200831_g11.jpgchscp-20200831_g12.jpg
Base Pay:Pay


Base salaries of our Named Executive Officers represent a fixed form of compensation paid on a semi-monthly basis. The base salaries are generally set at the median level of market data collected through our benchmarking process against other equivalent positions of comparable companies. The individual's actual salary relative to the market median is based on a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, scope of responsibilities and individual experience.
    
Base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are reviewed on an annual basis or at the time of significant changes in scope and level of responsibilities. Changes in base salaries are determined through review of competitive market data, as well as individual performance and contribution. Changes are not governed by pre-established weighting factors or merit metrics.
The
Our CEO is responsible for this process for the other Named Executive Officers. The GovernanceIn fiscal 2020, the Executive Committee iswas responsible for this process for theour CEO.


Mr. Debertin received a 2.5%3.0% base salary increase effective January 1, 2018.2020. Our Board of Directors approved the increase in order to maintain a competitive pay position to market. Mr. Skidmore, Mr. Hunhoff, Mr. Zappa, Mr. Dusek and Ms. Cunningham wereOlsonawski also givenreceived base salary increases of 3.0%, 3.0%, 2.0% and 3.0%, respectively, in fiscal 20182020 to ensure their base salaries were commensurate with their responsibilities, skills, contributions and competitive pay range. Specifically,Mr. Skidmore did not receive an increase to base salary in fiscal 2018, their base salary increases were 2.5%, 6.0%, 6.2%2020.

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and 2.5%, respectively.its potential impact on our business and industry, and the economy in general, and to respond to changing conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, based upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee and the request of Mr. Dusek was promoted toDebertin, our Board of Directors approved a decision that neither Mr. Debertin nor any of the position ofother Named Executive Vice President, Country Operations in November 2017 and receivedOfficers would receive a base pay increase of 38.7% at that time to reflect his new responsibilities compared to his previous position of Vice President, Agronomy. Mr. Dusek then received an additional 2.5% base salary increase effective January 1, 2018for calendar year 2021. This decision aligns with our decision to ensure that hisnot implement merit increases to base salary was commensurate with his responsibilities, skills, contributions and competitive pay range.salaries in calendar year 2021 for any of our salaried employees.


Annual Variable Pay:Pay


Named Executive Officers are covered by the same broad-based CHS Annual Variable Pay Plan (the "Annual("Annual Variable Pay Plan" or "AVP") as other employees and, based on the plan provisions, when they are hired or retire they receive awards prorated to the

66



period of time eligible. Each Named Executive Officer was eligible to participate in the AVP for fiscal 2018.2020. Target AVP award levels were set with reference to competitive market compensation levels and were intended to motivate our executives by providing annual variable pay awards for the achievement of predetermined goals. Target AVP award levels for fiscal 2018 increased from 70% to 115% of base salary for Named Executive Officers, excluding Mr. Debertin, to improve our competitive position to market. Our AVP program for fiscal 20182020 was based on enterprise-level financial performance and specific management business objectives with actual payout dependent on CHS achieving pre-determinedpredetermined enterprise-level financial performance targetsgoals and non-financial individual performance goals. The financial performance components included Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") and Return on Assets ("ROA") targetsROIC goals for CHS at the enterprise level.The threshold, target and maximum ROIC and ROA targets goals
58

for fiscal 20182020 are set forth in the table below. The management business objectives include individual performance against specific goals relating to subjects such as business profitability, execution of strategic initiatives or talent acquisition, development and talent development.retention. In conjunction with the annual performance appraisal process for our CEO, our Board of Directors reviews the individual non-financial goals and, in turn, determines and approves this portion of the annual variable pay award based upon completion or partial completion of the previously specified goals and principal accountabilities for our CEO. Likewise, our CEO uses the same process for determining individual goal attainment for the other Named Executive Officers.


CHS financial performance goals and award opportunities under our fiscal 20182020 Annual Variable Pay Plan were as follows:
Performance Level
CHS Company

Performance Goal
CHS Company Performance Goal
Percent of Target
Award
Maximum5.7% Return on Invested Capital6.9% ROIC6.0% Return on Assets200%
Target4.7% Return on Invested Capital5.9% ROIC5.1% Return on Assets100%
Threshold3.7% Return on Invested Capital4.9% ROIC4.3% Return on Assets50%
Below Thresholdthreshold<3.7% Return on Invested Capital4.9% ROIC<4.3% Return on Assets0%


    ROIC is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

ROIC is a measurement of how efficiently we use capital and the level of returns on that capital, and is calculated by dividing adjusted net operating profit after tax by the sum of funded debt plus equity. We define adjusted net operating profit after tax as earnings before tax plus interest, net, and the sum is multiplied by the effective tax rate. WeFor purposes of the fiscal 2020 AVP, we define funded debt as the average of long-term debt, including the funded debtcurrent portion thereof, plus any guarantees thereof, as of the end of July 20172019 and 2018,2020, respectively, and equity at the end of July 2017.2019.


ROA is a measurement of how well we use our assets to generate earnings and maximize returns on our owner equity and assets, and is calculated by dividing adjusted operating income by net assets. We define adjusted operating income as earnings before income taxes plus interest, net, plus corporate indirect allocations. We define net assets as total assets minus working capital liabilities; where working capital liabilities means current liabilities excluding current portions of debt or financing liabilities, and is measured as of the end of July 2017.

ROIC and ROA are not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, they should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
Our Board of Directors approved the ROIC and ROA performance targetsgoals for the fiscal 20182020 AVP and determined our CEO’sCEO's individual goals. The weighting of our CEO’sCEO's goals for fiscal 20182020 was 60%70% CHS total company ROIC 10% CHS total company ROA, and 30% principal accountabilities and individual goals. Our CEO determined non-financial individual goals for the other Named Executive Officers. The weighting of goals for the other Named Executive Officers for fiscal 20182020 was 60%70% CHS total company ROIC 10% CHS total company ROA, and 30% individual goals.

For fiscal 2018, ROIC results were 9.0% and ROA results were 7.0%.5.1% for fiscal 2020.


67




As described in "Compensation Recovery" below, inIn connection with the restatementMs. Nelligan's appointment as our executive vice president and chief financial officer, we entered into a letter agreement with her on January 7, 2020 (the "Nelligan Letter Agreement"). The Nelligan Letter Agreement, among other things, requires that we give Ms. Nelligan a full year of our consolidated financial statementscredit for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, and unaudited financial information2020 AVP, rather than prorate her award for the time that she was employed by us during fiscal years ended August2020.

In connection with Mr. Skidmore's retirement from CHS on December 31, 2015 and 2014, each2019, we entered into a letter agreement with him on July 26, 2019 ("Skidmore Letter Agreement"). The Skidmore Letter Agreement, among other things, provided for the payment to Mr. Skidmore of Messrs. Debertin, Skidmore, Zappa, and Dusek voluntarily requested that our Boarda pro rata portion of Directors exercise its negative discretion under applicable employment agreement provisions and/or Annual Variable Pay Plan provisions to reduce the amount the Named Executive Officer will earnhis annual variable pay award under the Annual Variable Pay Plan for fiscal 2018 by an amount equal to2020, based on the sumnumber of the incentive compensation paid or awarded to the Named Executive Officer under the Annual Variable Play Plan, Profit Sharing Plan and LTIP with respect to prior fiscal years that was in excess of the incentive compensation that would have been awarded to the Named Executive Officer pursuant to such plans under the restated financial statements. Our Board of Directors accepted the Named Executive Officers’ requests and exercised such negative discretion. Specifically:
Mr. Debertin’s earned amount was reduced by $62,411;
Mr. Skidmore’s earned amount was reduced by $73,213;
Mr. Zappa’s earned amount was reduced by $63,410; and
Mr. Dusek’s earned amount was reduced by $6,213.

It was not necessary for Mr. Hunhoff to make any such voluntary request, because during any year for which excess incentive compensation was paid,days he was employed in a non-senior executive leadership role in our Energy segment. Ms. Cunningham voluntarily retired from the Companyby us during fiscal 2018. Though she is no longer employed by2020, calculated at the Companytarget level for both the enterprise-level financial performance goals and there is no contractual obligation that would allow us to recover such incentive compensation from her, Ms. Cunningham voluntarily agreed to permitindividual performance goals components of the Company to recover the $88,451 in excess compensation earned by her during the same period of years.fiscal 2020 AVP.
Accordingly, annual
    Annual variable pay awards that will be or have been paid under the Annual Variable Pay Plan for fiscal 20182020 for the Named Executive Officers are as follows:
NameVariable Pay
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin$1,173,439 
Olivia Nelligan402,248 
Darin Hunhoff404,503 
James Zappa381,606 
Richard Dusek375,729 
Angela Olsonawski121,741 
Timothy Skidmore236,709 



59

Jay Debertin$3,473,839
Timothy Skidmore$1,115,086
Darin Hunhoff$1,219,000
James Zappa$1,086,591
Richard Dusek$1,137,174
Shirley Cunningham$
Table of Contents


For fiscal 2019, ROIC and ROA will continue to be utilized as financial metrics under the Annual Variable Pay Plan.

Profit Sharing:Sharing


Each Named Executive Officer is(other than Mr. Skidmore) was eligible to participate in our Profit Sharing Plan applicable to other employees. The purpose of the Profit Sharing Plan is to provide a direct link between employee pay and our profitability. Annual profit sharing contributions are calculated as a percent of base pay and annual variable pay (total earnings) and are made to the CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan (the "401(k)("401(k) Plan") account and CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Deferred("Deferred Compensation Plan") account of each Named Executive Officer. The levels of fiscal 2020 profit sharing awards vary in relation to the level of CHS ROIC achieved and are displayed in the following table:
Return On Invested Capital 
Profit Sharing
Award
5.7% 5%
5.2% 4%
4.7% 3%
4.2% 2%
3.7% 1%
ROICProfit Sharing Award
6.9%5%
6.4%4%
5.9%3%
5.4%2%
4.9%1%


In fiscal 20182020 ROIC results were 9.0%5.1%. Accordingly, each Named Executive Officer (other than Mr. Skidmore) earned a 5%1.5% award under the Profit Sharing Plan.

68




For fiscal 2019, the Profit Sharing Plan goals will be based on an ROIC performance metric.


Long-Term Incentive Plans:Plans


Each Named Executive Officer is(other than Mr. Skidmore) was eligible to participate in our LTIP.Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP"). The purpose of the LTIP is to align long-term results with long-term performance goals, encourage our Named Executive Officers to maximize long-term value for our member-owners and retain key executives. The LTIP consists of three-year performance periods to ensure consideration is made for our long-term sustainabilityfinancial performance and strategic execution, with a new performance period beginning every year. Our Board of Directors approves the LTIP goals.goals for each three-year period.


Awards from the LTIP are contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan after the end of each performance period. These awards vest over an additional 28-month period following the performance period end date. The extended earning and vesting provisions of the LTIP are designed to help us retain key executives. Participants who leave CHS prior to retirement for reasons other than death or disability forfeit all unearned and unvested LTIP award balances. Participants who meet retirement criteria, die or become disabled receive prorated awards following the LTIP rules. Like the Annual Variable Pay Plan, award levels for the LTIP are set with regard to competitive considerations. Beginning with the fiscal 2018-2020 LTIP performance period, theThe target level LTIP award levels increased from 70% tolevel was 115% of base salary for Named Executive Officers, excluding Mr. Debertin, to improve our competitive position to market.


For the 3-year LTIP period ending in fiscal 2018,2020, the LTIP performance measure was based upon our Return on Adjusted Equity ("ROAE")ROIC during the period. ROAEAs stated above, ROIC is a measurement of our profitabilityhow efficiently we use capital and the level of returns on that capital, and is calculated by dividing adjusted net income (earnings)operating profit after tax by adjustedfunded debt plus equity. To determine the equity and earnings adjustments, we subtract preferred stock dividends (paid on beginningFor purposes of the fiscal year preferred stock) from earnings, and reduce equity by2018-2020 performance period, we define funded debt as the beginningaverage of long-term debt, including the current portion thereof, plus any guarantees thereof, as of the fiscal year preferred stock onend of July 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020, respectively, and equity at the balance sheet. Earnings are subjectend of July 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

As also stated above, ROIC is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to one-time exclusions or inclusions in any given fiscal year. similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Award opportunities for the fiscal 2016-20182018-2020 LTIP are expressed as a percentage of a participant’sparticipant's average base salary as of August 31 for each of the three-yearthree years in the performance period. We must meet a three-year period threshold level of ROAEROIC performance in order for any participant to earn an award payout under the 2016-20182018-2020 LTIP. As indicated in the below table, the threshold, target, maximum and superior performance maximum ROAEROIC goals for the fiscal 2016-20182018-2020 performance period were 8%, 10%, 14% and 20%, respectively.are as follows:

Performance LevelCHS Three Year-ROICPercent of Target Award
Superior performance maximum6.7%400%
Maximum5.7%200%
Target4.7%100%
Threshold3.7%50%
Below threshold<3.7%0%
60

Performance Level 
CHS Three Year
ROAE
 
Percent of Target
Award
Superior Performance Maximum 20% 400%
Maximum 14% 200%
Target 10% 100%
Threshold 8% 50%
Below Threshold <8% 0%
The actual ROAEActual ROIC performance for the fiscal 2016-20182018-2020 performance period was 4.03%was 7.9%. Because this actual performance was below the 8.0% threshold, no awards relating toLTIP payments for the fiscal 2016-2018 performance period were earned by any of2018-2020 LTIP for the Named Executive Officers under the LTIP.are as follows:

NameLTIP Payments
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin$6,152,095 
Olivia Nelligan509,832 
Darin Hunhoff2,544,868 
James Zappa2,400,820 
Richard Dusek2,379,008 
Angela Olsonawski770,664 
Timothy Skidmore— 

Details for the fiscal 20182020 awards associated with the fiscal 2018-20202020-2022 LTIP performance period are provided in the “2018"2020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards”Awards" table.


Beginning withBecause Mr. Skidmore's employment ended prior to the end of each of the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period, the LTIP ROAE performance metric was replaced with an ROIC performance metric. ROIC will continue to be used as the LTIP performance metric for theand fiscal 2019-2021 performance period.

Other Compensation:periods, he was not eligible to earn any compensation under the 2018-2020 LTIP and will not be eligible to earn any compensation under the 2019-2021 LTIP.
    
Other Compensation
To preserve key leadership continuity and bench strength, as well as a total direct compensation opportunity amount that is competitive to market, in November 2017, ourthe Board of Directors approved a retention award (the "Retention("2017 Retention Award") for certain of our senior officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers who were both were active participants in the 2015-2017 LTIP and who were active employees on the date the award2017 Retention Award was approved. The potential award value iswas the

69



percentage of base salary used for the 2015-2017 LTIP awards at the Thresholdthreshold level, based on the participant’s job level as of the date the retention award2017 Retention Award was granted, and will bewas earned only if athe participant continuescontinued active employment through January 1, 2020, or meetsmet the limited pro ration criteria provided in the award.2017 Retention Award.


Payments for the 2017 Retention Award for the Named Executive Officers are as follows:
NameRetention Award Payment
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin$862,500 
Darin Hunhoff287,500 
James Zappa270,710 
Richard Dusek58,570 
Angela Olsonawski50,250 
Timothy Skidmore340,975 

Because Ms. Nelligan was not an active participant in the 2015-2017 LTIP or actively employed by us on the date the 2017 Retention Award was approved, she was not granted a 2017 Retention Award.

In addition, for the same reasons that our Board of Directors approved the 2017 Retention Award, in April 2019, our Board of Directors approved another potential retention incentive award ("2018 Retention Award") for certain of our senior officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers who were both active participants in the 2016-2018 LTIP and active employees on the date the 2018 Retention Award was approved. The potential award value is equal to the percentage of base salary used for the 2016-2018 LTIP awards at the target level, based on the participant’s job level as of August 31, 2018, multiplied by the participant’s base salary as of August 31, 2018. Pursuant to its original terms, the 2018 Retention Award would only be earned if the applicable participant continued active employment through January 1, 2021, or met the limited pro ration criteria provided in the 2018 Retention Award. However, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and its potential impact on our fiscal 2021 business and financial performance, and the economy in general, and based upon the recommendation of the Governance Committee and the request of Messrs. Debertin, Dusek, Hunhoff, Zappa and our other eligible senior officers, in November 2020, our Board of Directors modified the terms of the Strategic Leadership Team 2018 Retention Award to provide that it will only be earned if the applicable participant continues active employment through January 1, 2022, except that, if the applicable participant’s employment ends voluntarily or involuntarily for a reason unrelated to misconduct between January 1,
61

2021, and January 1, 2022, the participant will earn and be paid the 2018 Retention Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to the Skidmore Letter Agreement, Mr. Skidmore received a pro rata portion of the 2018 Retention Award in the amount of $170,191 within 60 days of his retirement on December 31, 2019.

Because Ms. Nelligan was not an active participant in the 2016-2018 LTIP or actively employed by us on the date the 2018 Retention Award was approved, she was not granted a 2018 Retention Award.

Retirement Benefits:Benefits


We provide the following retirement and deferral programs to Named Executive Officers:


CHS Inc. Pension Plan
CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan
CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan

CHS Inc. Pension Plan
CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan
CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan

CHS Inc. Pension Plan

The CHS Inc. Pension Plan (the "Pension("Pension Plan") is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan. All Named Executive Officers participate in the Pension Plan. A Named Executive Officer is fully vested in the Pension Plan after three years of vesting service. The Pension Plan provides for a lump sum payment of the participant’s account balance once the Named Executive Officer reaches normal retirement age (or, alternatively, for a monthly annuity for the Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's lifetime if elected by the Named Executive Officer). The normal form of benefit for a single Named Executive Officer is a life annuity and for a married Named Executive Officer the normal form of benefit is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. Other annuity forms are also available on an actuarial equivalent basis. Compensation and benefits are limited based on limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code.


A Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's benefit under the Pension Plan depends on pay credits to theirhis or her account, which are based on the Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's total salary and annual variable pay for each year of employment, date of hire, age at date of hire and the length of service, and investment credits, which are computed using the interest crediting rate and the Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's account balance at the beginning of the plan year.


The amount of pay credits added to a Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's account each year is a percentage of the Named Executive Officer’s base salary and annual variable pay plus compensation reduction pursuant to the 401(k) Plan and any pretax contribution to any of our welfare benefit plans, paid vacations, paid leaves of absence and pay received if away from work due to a sickness or injury. The pay credits percentage received is determined on a yearly basis, based on the years of benefit service completed as of December 31st31 of each year. A Named Executive Officer receives one year of benefit service for every calendar year of employment in which the Named Executive Officer completed at least 1,000 hours of service.


Pay credits are earned according to the following schedule:schedules:


Regular Pay Credits
Regular Pay Credit
Years of Benefit ServicePay Below Social Security Taxable Wage BasePay Above Social Security Taxable Wage Base
1 - 3 years3%6%
4 - 7 years4%8%
8 - 11 years5%10%
12 - 15 years6%12%
16 years or more7%14%
Years of Benefit Service
Pay Below Social Security
Taxable Wage Base
 
Pay Above Social Security
Taxable Wage Base
1 - 3 years3% 6%
4 - 7 years4% 8%
8 - 11 years5% 10%
12 - 15 years6% 12%
16 years or more7% 14%



70
62


Mid CareerMid-Career Pay Credits


Employees hired after age 40 qualify for the following minimum pay credit:
 Minimum Pay Credit
Age at Date of HirePay Below Social Security Taxable Wage BasePay Above Social Security Taxable Wage Base
Age 40 - 444%8%
Age 45 - 495%10%
Age 50 or more6%12%
 Minimum Pay Credit
Age at Date of Hire
Pay Below Social Security
Taxable Wage Base
 
Pay Above Social Security
Taxable Wage Base
Age 40 - 444% 8%
Age 45 - 495% 10%
Age 50 or more6% 12%


Investment Credits


We credit a Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's account at the end of the calendar year with an investment credit based on the balance at the beginning of the year. The investment credit is based on the average return for one-year U.S. Treasury bills for the preceding 12-month period. The minimum interest rate under the Pension Plan is 4.65% and the maximum is 10%.


CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan


The 401(k) Plan is a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement plan. Most full-time, non-unionnonunion CHS employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan, including each Named Executive Officer. Participants may contribute between 1% and 50% of their pay on a pretax basis. We match 100% of the first 1% and 50% of the next 5% of pay contributed each year (maximum 3.5%). Our Board of Directors may elect to reduce or eliminate matching contributions for any year or any portion thereof. Participants are 100% vested in their own contributions and are fully vested after two years of service in matching contributions made on the participant’s behalf by us.

Non-participants    Nonparticipants are automatically enrolled in the plan at a 3% contribution rate and, effective each January 1, the participant’sparticipant's contribution will be automatically increased by 1%. This escalation will stop once the participant’s contribution reaches 10%. The participant may elect to cancel or change these automatic deductions at any time.


CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan


Because the Internal Revenue Code limits the benefits that may be paid from the Pension Plan and the 401(k) Plan, the CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"("SERP") and the Deferred Compensation Plan were established to provide certain employees participating in the qualified plans with supplemental benefits such that, in the aggregate, they equal the benefits they would have been entitled to receive under the qualified plan had these limits not been in effect. The SERP also includes compensation deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan that is excluded under the qualified retirement plan. All Named Executive Officers participate in the SERP. Participants in the plans are select management or highly compensated employees who have been designated as eligible by our CEO to participate.


Compensation includes total salary and annual variable pay without regard to limitations on compensation imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions under the Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan are not eligible for pay credits.


Certain Named Executive Officers may have accumulated non-qualifiednonqualified plan balances or benefits that have been carried over from predecessor companies as a result of past mergers and acquisitions. Benefits from the SERP are primarily funded in a rabbi trust, with a balance at August 31, 2018,2020, of $30.3$33.6 million. Benefits from the plan do not qualify for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.


The Deferred Compensation Plan allows eligible Named Executive Officers to voluntarily defer receipt of up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual variable pay. The election must occur prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the compensation will be earned. During the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, all of the Named Executive Officers were eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Mr. Debertin, Mr. Skidmore,Ms. Nelligan, Mr. Zappa, Mr. Dusek, Ms. Olsonawski and Ms. CunninghamMr. Skidmore participated in the elective portion of the Deferred Compensation Plan.


Benefits from the Deferred Compensation Plan are primarily funded in a rabbi trust, with a balance as of August 31, 2018,2020, of $122.7$136.1 million. Benefits from the plan do not qualify for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.



71
63


Health & Welfare Benefits:Benefits


Like our other employees, each of the Named Executive Officers is entitled to receive benefits under our comprehensive health and welfare program. Like non-executivenonexecutive full-time employees, participation in the individual benefit plans is based on each Named Executive Officer’sOfficer's annual benefit elections and varies by individual.


Medical Plans


Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our medical plan on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plan provides each Named Executive Officer an opportunity to choose a level of coverage and coverage options with varying deductibles and co-pays in order to pay for hospitalization, physician and prescription drug expenses. The cost of this coverage is shared by us and the covered Named Executive Officer.


Dental, Vision and Hearing Plan


Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our dental, vision and hearing plan on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plan provides coverage for basic dental, vision and hearing expenses. The cost of this coverage is shared by us and the covered Named Executive Officer.


Life, AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance


Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our basic life, optional life, accidental death and dismemberment ("AD&D") and dependent life plans on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plans allow Named Executive Officers an opportunity to purchase group life insurance on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. Basic life insurance equal to one times eligible compensation will be provided at our expense on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. Named Executive Officers can choose various coverage levels of optional life insurance at their own expense on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees.


Short- and Long-term Disability


Named Executive Officers participate in our Short-Term Disability Plan ("STD") on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The Named Executive Officers also participate in an executive Long-Term Disability Plan ("LTD"). These plans replace a portion of income in the event that a Named Executive Officer is disabled under the terms of the plan and is unable to work full-time. The cost of STD and LTD coverage is paid by us.


Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts/Health Reimbursement Accounts


Named Executive Officers may participate in our Flexible Spending Account ("FSA"), or Health Savings Account ("HSA") or Health Reimbursement Account ("HRA") on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The FSA and HSA provide Named Executive Officers an opportunity to pay for certain eligible medical expenses on a pretax basis. The HRA provides Named Executive Officers an opportunity to pay for certain eligible medical expenses incurred during the year on a pretax basis. Contributions to the FSA and HSA are made by the Named Executive Officer. Contributions to the HRA are made by us and are based on the medical option selected and range between $400 and $800.


Travel Assistance Program and Identity Theft Protection


Like other non-executivenonexecutive full-time employees, each of the Named Executive Officers is covered by our travel assistance program and identity theft protection program. The travel assistance program provides AD&D protection should a covered injury or death occur while on a business trip. The identity theft protection program provides credit monitoring and restoration services to protect against identity theft.


Additional Benefits:Benefits
    
Certain benefits such as executive physical examinations and limited financial planning assistance are available to our Named Executive Officers. These are provided as part of an overall total rewards package that strives to be competitive with comparable companies and retain individuals who are critical to us.







72
64


Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy
Compensation Recovery:
    
As discussed in “Annual Variable Pay” above, in connection with the restatement ofWe have an Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy ("Recovery Policy") that applies to our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2017current and 2016, and unaudited financial information for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, certain of the currently employed Named Executive Officers, including Mr. Debertin, voluntarily asked our Board of Directorsformer employees who are or were identified by us as an "officer" pursuant to reduce the amount of their awardRule 16a-1(f) under the Annual Variable Pay Plan for fiscal 2018 by an amount equal to the sumSecurities Exchange Act of the incentive compensation awarded to the Named Executive Officer under the Annual Variable Play Plan, Profit Sharing Plan1934 and LTIP with respect to prior fiscal years that was in excess of the incentive compensation that would have been awarded to the Named Executive Officer pursuant to such plans under the restated financial statements. Accordingly, our Board of Directors accepted the Named Executive Officers’, including Mr. Debertin’s request and exercised such negative discretion to reduce each person's earned annual variable pay for fiscal 2018 accordingly.The Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards ("Covered Employee").
In addition, other current senior executives who report directly to Mr. Debertin and current executives who during one or more fiscal years covered by the restated financial statements had management responsibilities for the Grain Marketing business unit into which the freight trading operations reported or who led the finance function of our Ag segment, each made similar voluntary requests to our Board of Directors, and our Board of Directors exercised similar negative discretion to reduce each such person's earned annual variable pay for fiscal 2018 accordingly.
We will also be asking former senior and other executives who held similar positions to the current executives who requested reductions in their fiscal 2018 annual variable pay to voluntarily agree to allow us to recover incentive compensation earned by those former executives under the Annual Variable Play Plan, Profit Sharing Plan and LTIP with respect to the relevant prior fiscal years that was in excess of what would have been earned by those executives pursuant to such plans under the restated financial statements. However, except as noted below, none of these former executives has a contractual obligation to allow us to recover such incentive compensation, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to recover all or any portion of such incentive compensation.
On May 22, 2017, we entered into a Separation Agreement with our former President and Chief Executive Officer, Carl Casale.    The terms of that Separation Agreement provide that certain provisions in Mr. Casale’s prior employment agreement with us survived the termination of Mr. Casale’s employment, and, continue in effect according to their terms. Mr. Casale’s employment agreement continues to provideRecovery Policy provides that, in the event of a restatementrequired revision of our previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of one or more errors that are material to those financial statements, we will require reimbursement or forfeiture of any excess incentive compensation received by any Covered Employee during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which we determine that we are required to prepare an accounting restatement. The amount of excess incentive compensation will be equal to the amount by which the Covered Employee's incentive compensation for the relevant period exceeded the amount that would have been earned or awarded based on the restated financial results, dueas determined by our Board of Directors. The method used to recover the applicable excess incentive compensation will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, and may include requiring reimbursement of cash incentive compensation that was previously paid, forfeiting any material non-compliance with financial reporting requirements, ifincentive compensation contribution made under the Deferred Compensation Plan, offsetting the recovered amount from any compensation or incentive compensation that may be earned or awarded in the future or taking any other remedial or recovery action permitted by law.

    The Recovery Policy also provides that, in the event our Board of Directors determines in good faith that anya Covered Employee has engaged in detrimental conduct, we may require the Covered Employee to reimburse or forfeit all or a portion of the incentive compensation paidearned by or awarded to Mr. Casale was awardedthe Covered Employee, or determined based on that material noncompliance, then we are entitled to recover from him all compensation based onin which the erroneous financial data in excess of what would have been paid or been payable to Mr. CasaleCovered Employee has become vested under the restatement, forterms of the Deferred Compensation Plan. For purposes of the Recovery Policy, detrimental conduct includes:
deliberate and continued failure by a three-year period precedingCovered Employee to substantially perform his or her duties and responsibilities in a manner that has an adverse effect on us;
knowing and willful violation of any law, government regulation or company code of conduct or policy;
fraud or dishonesty resulting or intended to result in personal enrichment at our expense; and/or

gross misconduct in the date on which we are requiredperformance of duties that results in economic harm to prepareus.
    Under the accounting restatement. Our Board of Directors has determined in good faith that certainRecovery Policy, incentive compensation Mr. Casale earned underincludes annual cash incentive awards granted pursuant to either the Annual Variable PlayPay Plan or an individual cash incentive plan, annual cash awards earned under the Profit Sharing Plan and cash-based performance awards granted pursuant to the LTIP with respect to prior fiscal years withinor any successor plan; in each case, provided that 3-year period wassuch compensation is granted, earned or vested based wholly or in part on the Company’s material non-compliance withattainment of a financial reporting requirements and was in excess of the amount that Mr. Casale would have earned pursuant to such plans under the restated financial statements. Our Board of Directors determined that the amount of that excess incentive compensation was $249,034 and further determined to recover that amount from Mr. Casale.performance measure.     

Agreements with Named Executive Officers


Mr. Debertin

On May 22, 2017, Mr. Debertin was elected as our President and CEO, and in connection therewith entered into an employment agreementthe Employment Agreement with us on that date. On November 5, 2020, we entered into the Employment Agreement Amendment with Mr. Debertin, pursuant to which the term of the Employment Agreement was extended to August 31, 2023, provided that, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, beginning on August 31, 2023, and on each August 31 thereafter, the Employment Agreement will automatically renew for an additional one-year period, unless either party notifies the other in writing, at least 120 days in advance of the relevant renewal date, (the "Employment Agreement").
of its intent not to renew the agreement for the additional one-year period. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Debertin is entitled to, among other things:


An annual base salary of $1,150,000, subject to increase by our Board of Directors from time to time;


A target annual incentive compensation award of 150% of his base salary with a maximum potential annual incentive compensation award of 300% of his base salary, based on the achievement of performance targetsgoals set by our Board of Directors; and


A target long-term incentive compensation award of 150% of his average base salary during the three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity, with a maximum superior performance potential

73



long-term incentive compensation award of 500% of his average base salary during the three-year performance period applicable to that award.

65

The Employment Agreement provides that in the event of a restatement of our financial results due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements, if our Board of Directors determines in good faith that any compensation paid (or payable but not yet paid) to Mr. Debertin was awarded or determined based on that material noncompliance, then we are entitled to recover from him (or to reduce compensation determined but not yet paid) all compensation based on the erroneous financial data in excess of what would have been paid or been payable to him under the restatement. Given the reduction in Mr. Debertin’s annual variable pay for fiscal 2018, as described in “Compensation Recovery” above, our Board of Directors did not believe it was necessary for it to recover any additional compensation from Mr. Debertin in connection with the restated financial statements.


The severance pay and benefits to which Mr. Debertin would be entitled if we terminated his employment without cause or, if he terminated his employment for “good reason”"good reason" are described below under “Post Employment”."Post Employment."



Ms. Nelligan
Mr. Zappa, our Executive Vice President
Ms. Nelligan's compensation is set forth in the Nelligan Letter Agreement. The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides Ms. Nelligan with an initial annual base salary of $570,000 and General Counsel, joined us in April 2015a hiring bonus of $200,000 (which bonus amount is the amount to be paid to Ms. Nelligan, after applicable tax withholding), $100,000 of which was paid as a lump sum within 30 days of January 29, 2020 (the "First Hiring Bonus Payment"), and the terms$100,000 of his employment provided for certain payments to him in respectwhich will be paid as a lump sum within 30 days following one year of compensation earned from his former employer during past periods but forfeited in order to accept employment with us due(the "Second Hiring Bonus Payment"). In the event Ms. Nelligan voluntarily terminates, resigns or otherwise ends her relationship with us without good reason within one year of her start date, the Nelligan Letter Agreement provides that she will reimburse us at the rate of 1/12th of the First Hiring Bonus Payment for each uncompleted month in such first year of employment. Similarly, in the event Ms. Nelligan voluntarily terminates, resigns or otherwise ends her relationship with us without good reason during the second year of her employment with us, the Nelligan Letter Agreement provides that she will reimburse us at the rate of 1/12th of the total amount of the Second Hiring Bonus Payment for each uncompleted month in such second year of employment.

The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides that Ms. Nelligan's target award for purposes of the Annual Variable Pay Plan will be equal to vesting requirements115% of her annual base salary on August 31 of each year, and, other restrictions. Specifically, as stated above, requires us to give Ms. Nelligan a full year of credit for the fiscal 2020 Annual Variable Pay Plan, rather than prorate her award for the time that she was employed by us during fiscal 2020.

The severance pay and benefits to which Ms. Nelligan would be entitled if we terminated her employment without cause or if she terminated her employment for "good reason" are described below under "Post Employment."

Mr. Zappa was entitled to receive three payments on the following schedule: $101,667 in April 2015; $101,667 in April 2016; and $101,667 in April 2017.Skidmore


In connection with the end of Ms. Cunningham's employmentMr. Skidmore's retirement from CHS on May 4, 2018,December 31, 2019, we entered into a letter agreementthe Skidmore Letter Agreement with Ms. Cunningham, dated March 15, 2018 (the "Letter Agreement").Mr. Skidmore. The Skidmore Letter Agreement, as well as the payments to which Ms. CunninghamMr. Skidmore was entitled to thereunder in connection with the end of her employment,his retirement, are described below under "Post Employment".Employment."


Tax Considerations


Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 162(m)") generally limits us to a deduction for federal income tax purposes of no more than $1 million of compensation paid to certain current and former executive officers in a taxable year. However, historically, the $1 million deduction limit did not apply to compensation that satisfied Section 162(m)'s requirements for qualified performance-based compensation. Accordingly, we historically attempted to preserve the deductibility under the Internal Revenue Code, of compensation paid to our executive officers while maintaining compensation programs to attract and retain highly qualified executives in a competitive environment. However, effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the exemption for qualified performance-based compensation from the $1 million deduction limitation contained in Section 162(m) has been repealed, unless certain transition relief for certain compensation arrangements in place as of November 2, 2017, is available. As such, certain compensation paid in excess of $1 million, which has historically been deductible by us for federal tax purposes, may no longer be deductible.


We believe that Section 162(m) is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation. We also believe that Section 162(m) should not be permitted to compromise our ability to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that, among other things, are intended to attract and retain highly qualified executives in a competitive environment. As a result, we retain the flexibility to provide compensation that we determine to be in our best interests and the best interests of our member-owners, even if that compensation ultimately is not deductible for tax purposes.



Shareholder Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation


We are not required to, and do not, conduct shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation under sectionSection 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

66



74




Summary Compensation Table

Name and Principal PositionYearSalary
(1)(2)
Bonus
(1)(3)(4)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation (1)(5)
Change in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
(1)(6)
All Other
Compensation (1)(7-12)
Total
(1)
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin
President and Chief Executive Officer
2020$1,262,442 $— $8,188,034 $1,267,791 $435,790 $11,154,057 
20191,218,042 — 5,405,339 1,307,488 410,651 8,341,520 
20181,169,167 — 3,473,839 372,721 90,579 5,106,306 
Olivia Nelligan
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2020339,076 100,000 912,080 37,620 90,511 1,479,287 
Darin Hunhoff
Executive Vice President, Energy and Processing
2020567,630 — 3,236,871 563,056 167,292 4,534,849 
2019547,667 — 1,631,254 611,133 160,989 2,951,043 
2018520,000 — 1,219,000 56,050 38,457 1,833,507 
James Zappa Executive Vice President and General Counsel2020535,500 — 3,053,136 305,866 153,021 4,047,523 
2019516,667 — 1,538,720 285,992 141,526 2,482,905 
2018490,267 — 1,086,591 68,928 42,646 1,688,432 
Richard Dusek Executive Vice President, CHS Country Operations2020528,941 — 2,813,307 415,431 149,864 3,907,543 
2019513,696 — 1,360,928 465,830 142,030 2,482,484 
2018468,012 — 1,137,174 20,449 39,089 1,664,724 
Angela Olsonawski
Senior Vice President, Corporate Treasurer and Former Interim Chief Financial Officer
2020357,204 25,000 942,655 296,788 69,996 1,691,643 
Timothy Skidmore
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2020278,196 — 577,684 153,815 945,910 1,955,605 
2019615,929 — 1,615,251 316,033 151,172 2,698,385 
2018602,883 — 1,115,086 106,115 44,133 1,868,217 
(1) Information on Ms. Nelligan and Ms. Olsonawski includes compensation beginning in fiscal 2020, the first year in which they became Named Executive Officers.
Name and Principal PositionYear 
Salary
($) 1,2,3
 
Bonus
($) 2,4,5,6
 
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation($) 1,2,7,8
 
Change in Pension
Value and
Non-Qualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) 2,9
 
All Other
Compensation($)
2,10-16
 
Total
($) 2
Jay Debertin
President and Chief Executive Officer
2018 1,169,167
   $3,473,839
 372,721
 90,579
 5,106,306
2017 815,365
 
 862,500
 293,497
 41,611
 2,012,973
2016 667,242
 
 789,871
 722,208
 156,018
 2,335,339
Timothy Skidmore
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
2018 602,883
 
 1,115,086
 106,115
 44,133
 1,868,217
2017 523,500
 100,000
 207,550
 95,952
 30,114
 957,116
2016 487,135
 235,163
 576,744
 193,174
 106,614
 1,598,830
Darin Hunhoff
Executive Vice President, Energy and Foods
2018 520,000
 
 1,219,000
 56,050
 38,457
 1,833,507
2017 443,670
 100,000
 175,000
 75,198
 18,030
 811,898
             
James Zappa Executive Vice President and General Counsel2018 490,267
 
 1,086,591
 68,928
 42,646
 1,688,432
2017 467,223
 201,667
 164,780
 69,638
 23,142
 926,450
2016 423,667
 101,667
 508,961
 140,794
 96,356
 1,271,445
Richard Dusek Executive Vice President, Country Operations2018 468,012
 
 1,137,174
 20,449
 39,089
 1,664,724
             
             
Shirley Cunningham Former Executive Vice President, Ag Business and Enterprise Strategy2018 495,113
 
   97,743
 283,526
 876,382
2017 612,000
 
 216,300
 112,784
 37,576
 978,660
2016 593,983
 
 683,022
 235,579
 117,214
 1,629,798


(1)Amounts reflect the gross salary and non-equity incentive plan compensation, as applicable, and include any applicable deferrals. Mr. Debertin deferred $157,167 in fiscal 2018, $0 in fiscal 2017 and $893,546 in fiscal 2016; Mr. Skidmore deferred $303,483 in fiscal 2018, $52,350 in fiscal 2017 and $249,224 in fiscal 2016; Mr. Zappa deferred $82,390 in fiscal 2018; and Ms. Cunningham deferred $244,550 in fiscal 2018, $100,000 in fiscal 2017 and $852,078 in fiscal 2016.

(2)Information on Mr. Hunhoff includes compensation beginning in fiscal 2017, the first year in which he became a Named Executive Officer, and information on Mr. Dusek includes compensation beginning in fiscal 2018, the first year in which he became a Named Executive Officer.

(3)Salary for Ms. Cunningham includes base pay and accrued paid time off that was paid upon her(2) Salary for Mr. Skidmore includes base pay and accrued paid time off that was paid upon his departure.

(4)Includes payments to Mr. Skidmore of $100,000 in fiscal 2017, for providing additional strong leadership of and significant time commitment to the ongoing management of multiple business and financial challenges, all in addition to performing his regular Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer role, and $235,163 in fiscal 2016 covering earned and forfeited compensation from previous employment.

(5)Includes payments to Mr. Zappa of $201,667 in fiscal 2017, $100,000 of which was for providing additional strong leadership of and significant time commitment to the ongoing management of multiple business and governance challenges, all in addition to performing his regular Executive Vice President and General Counsel role, and $101,667 of which covered earned and forfeited compensation from previous employment, and $101,667 in fiscal 2016, covering earned and forfeited compensation from previous employment.

(6)Includes payment to Mr. Hunhoff of $100,000 in fiscal 2017 for taking on additional leadership roles in addition to performing his new role as Executive Vice President, Energy and Foods.

(7)Amounts include annual variable pay awards and Long-term incentive awards.


75




(4) Includes $25,000 recognition bonus paid to Ms. Olsonawski for performing the role of interim chief financial officer.


(5) Amounts include 2017 Retention Awards earned in fiscal 2020, annual variable pay awards and long-term incentive awards.

The actual 2017 Retention Award value was as follows in fiscal 2020: Mr. Debertin, $862,500; Mr. Hunhoff, $287,500; Mr. Zappa, $270,710; Mr. Dusek, $58,570; Ms. Olsonawski, $50,250; and Mr. Skidmore, $340,975.

The actual annual variable pay award value was as follows in fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $3,473,839, $862,500$1,173,439, $3,713,064 and $0; Mr. Skidmore, $1,115,086, $207,550 and $0; Mr. Hunhoff, $1,219,000 and $175,000 (Mr. Hunhoff$3,473,839; Ms. Nelligan, $402,248 (Ms. Nelligan was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2016)2018 or 2019); Mr. Hunhoff, $404,503, $1,279,950 and $1,219,000; Mr. Zappa, $1,086,591, $164,780$381,606, $1,207,500 and $0;$1,086,591; Mr. Dusek, $1,137,174 (Mr. Dusek$375,729, $1,110,515 and $1,137,174; Ms. Olsonawski, $121,741 (Ms. Olsonawski was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 20172018 or 2016)2019); and Ms. Cunningham, $0, $216,300,Mr. Skidmore, $236,709 (per the Skidmore Letter Agreement), $1,202,064 and $0.$1,115,085.


These annual variable pay award values exclude awards in the following amounts with respect to fiscal 2018 that our Board of Directors reduced at the voluntary request of the Named Executive Officers in connection with our restated financial statements: Mr. Debertin, $62,411; Mr. Skidmore, $73,213; Mr. Zappa, $63,410; Mr. Dusek, $6,213; and Mr. Dusek, $6,213.Skidmore, $73,213.

The actual long-term incentive award value was as follows in fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $0, $0,$6,152,095, $1,692,275 and $789,871; Mr. Skidmore, $0, $0, and $576,744; Mr. Hunhoff, $0 and $0 (Mr. Hunhoff$0; Ms. Nelligan $509,832 (Ms. Nelligan was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2016)2018 or 2019); Mr. Hunhoff, $2,544,868, $351,304 and $0; Mr. Zappa, $0, $0$2,400,820, $331,220 and $508,961;$0; Mr. Dusek, $0 (Mr. Dusek$2,379,008, $250,413 and $0; Ms. Olsonawski $770,664 (Ms. Olsonawski was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 20172018 or 2016)2019); Ms. Cunningham,and Mr. Skidmore, $0, $0,$403,187 and $683,022.$0.

67
(8)Excludes award of $120,000 that was earned, but voluntarily declined, by Mr. Debertin in fiscal 2016 under his previous Supplemental Project Milestone Incentive Plan.


Table of Contents
(9)This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officer’s benefit under their retirement program and nonqualified earnings, if applicable.


Because Mr. Skidmore's retirement occurred prior to him achieving 10 years of service, he was not eligible to vest and forfeited his LTIP payment for the fiscal 2017-2019 LTIP. In addition, because Mr. Skidmore's employment ended prior to the end of the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period, he was not eligible to earn any compensation under the fiscal 2018-2020 LTIP. For a description of the payment that will be made to Mr. Skidmore under the Skidmore Letter Agreement in recognition of, among other things, earned but unvested long-term incentive compensation that has been forfeited due to the end of Mr. Skidmore's employment prior to vesting, please see "Post Employment" below.

(6) This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officer's benefit under his or her retirement program and nonqualified earnings, if applicable.

The aggregate change in the actuarial present value was as follows in fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $267,017, $175,298$1,086,570, 1,245,229 and $617,456; Mr. Skidmore, $89,520, $79,807 and $176,801; Mr. Hunhoff, $49,824 and $68,620 (Mr. Hunhoff$267,017; Ms. Nelligan, $37,484 (Ms. Nelligan was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2016)2018 or 2019); Mr. Hunhoff, $552,962, $607,801 and $49,824; Mr. Zappa, $68,928, $69,638$305,866, $285,992 and $140,794;$68,928; Mr. Dusek, $12,951 (Mr. Dusek$394,289, $460,972 and $12,951; Ms. Olsonawski, $287,689 (Ms. Olsonawski was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 20172018 or 2016)2019); and Ms. Cunningham, $77,093, $80,332Mr. Skidmore, $132,576, $305,723 and $217,137.$89,520.


Above-market earnings on deferred compensation represent earnings exceeding 120% of the Federal Reserve long-term rate as determined by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on applicable funds and was as follows in fiscal 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $105,704, $118,199$181,221, $62,259 and $104,752; Mr. Skidmore, $16,595, $16,145 and $16,373; Mr. Hunhoff, $6,226 and $6,578 (Mr. Hunhoff$105,704; Ms. Nelligan, $136 (Ms. Nelligan was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2016)2018 or 2019); Mr. Hunhoff, $10,094, $3,332 and $6,226; Mr. Zappa, $0, $0 and $0; Mr. Dusek, $7,498 (Mr. Dusek$21,142, $4,858 and $7,498; Ms. Olsonawski, $9,099 (Ms. Olsonawski was not a Named Executive Officer in 2017fiscal 2018 or 2016)2019); and Mr. Skidmore, 21,239$, $10,310 and $16,595.

(7) Includes fiscal 2020 employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Debertin, $405,414; Mr. Hunhoff, $140,698; Mr. Zappa, $131,863; Mr. Dusek, $123,362; and Ms. Cunningham, $20,650, $32,452Olsonawski, $47,111.

(8) For fiscal 2020, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, executive physical, financial planning and $18,442.health assessment for Mr. Debertin.

(10)Amounts may include executive LTD paid by us, travel accident insurance, executive physical, contributions by us during each fiscal year to qualified and non-qualified defined contribution plans, spousal travel and financial planning.

(11)Includes fiscal 2018 executive LTD of $3,221 for all Named Executive Officers except Ms. Cunningham, and fiscal 2018 executive LTD of $2,416 for Ms. Cunningham.

(12)Includes fiscal 2018 employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Debertin, $68,837; Mr. Skidmore, $26,133; Mr. Hunhoff, $20,961; Mr. Zappa, $19,348; Mr. Dusek, $10,558; and Ms. Cunningham, $24,797.

(13)Includes fiscal 2018 employer contribution to the 401(k) Plan: Mr. Debertin, $12,296; Mr. Skidmore, $12,309; Mr. Hunhoff, $12,400; Mr. Zappa, $11,913; Mr. Dusek, $12,566; and Ms. Cunningham, $12,325.

(14)Includes fiscal 2018 executive physicals for the following Named Executive Officers: Mr. Debertin, $2,762; Mr. Dusek, $10,140; and Ms. Cunningham, $4,494.

(15)Includes fiscal 2018 executive financial planning for the following Named Executive Officers: Mr. Debertin, $860; Mr. Skidmore, $1,530; Mr. Hunhoff, $875; Mr. Zappa, $6,250; Mr. Dusek, $2,040; and Ms. Cunningham, $3,350.

(16)Includes payment to Ms. Cunningham in fiscal 2018 of $237,000 pursuant to the terms of Ms. Cunningham's Letter Agreement.



(9) For fiscal 2020, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, executive physical and financial planning for Mr. Hunhoff and Mr. Dusek.


(10) Includes fiscal 2020 employer contribution to the 401(k) Plan: Mr. Debertin, $15,692; Ms. Nelligan, $3,800; Mr. Hunhoff $15,875; Mr. Zappa, $15,750; Mr. Dusek, $14,103; Ms. Olsonawski, $18,502; and Mr. Skidmore $1,845.
76

Table(11) For fiscal 2020, includes moving and relocation expenses, a legal fee reimbursement and aggregate gross-ups for taxes of Contents$64,124, in each case, in accordance with the Nelligan Letter Agreement, as well as a nonqualified 401(k) and Pension Match Make-up contribution, executive LTD, travel accident insurance and health assessment for Ms. Nelligan.



(12) For fiscal 2020, includes $152,004 nonqualified 401(k) Match Make-up and Profit Sharing payment, $790,173 in payments pursuant to the Skidmore Letter Agreement, executive LTD, financial planning and travel accident insurance for Mr. Skidmore.

Agreements with Named Executive Officers


On May 22, 2017, we entered an Employment Agreement with Mr. Debertin, our President and Chief Executive Officer.Officer, which was amended by the Employment Agreement Amendment on November 5, 2020. The Employment Agreement, as amended by the Employment Agreement Amendment, supersedes all previous agreements we had with Mr. Debertin. The Employment Agreement was entered into in order to clearly define the obligations of the parties thereto with respect to employment matters, as well as the compensation and benefits to be provided to Mr. Debertin upon termination of employment.

The Employment Agreement has an initial term of three years ending on August 31, 2020, provided that beginning on August 31, 2020, and on each anniversary date thereafter, the term will be automatically renewed for an additional one-year period unless either party notifies the other in writing, at least 120 days in advance of the relevant anniversary date, of its intent not to renew the agreement for the additional one-year period.

Pursuant to the terms Other details of the Employment Agreement, Mr. Debertin is entitled to, among other things:

An annual base salary of $1,150,000, subject to increaseas amended by our Board of Directors from time to time;

A target annual incentive compensation award of 150% of his base salary with a maximum potential annual incentive compensation award of 300% of his base salary, based on the achievement of performance targets set by our Board of Directors; and

A target long-term incentive compensation award of 150% of his average base salary during the three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity, with a maximum superior performance potential long-term incentive compensation award of 500% of his average base salary during the three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity.

The Employment Agreement provides that in the event of a restatement of our financial results due to material noncomplianceAmendment, and Mr. Debertin's employment arrangement with financial reporting requirements, if our Board of Directors determines in good faith that any compensation paid (or payable but not yet paid) to Mr. Debertin was awarded or determined based on that material noncompliance, then weus are entitled to recover from him (or to reduce compensation determined but not yet paid) all compensation based on the erroneous financial data in excess of what would have been paid or been payable to him under the restatement. Given the reduction in Mr. Debertin’s annual variable pay for fiscal 2018, as described in “Compensation Recovery” above, our Board of Directors did not believe it was necessary for it to recover any additional compensation from Mr. Debertin in connection with the restated financial statements."Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above.

The severance pay and benefitspayments to which Mr. DebertinZappa would be entitled under his employment term sheet with us if we terminated his employment without cause or if he terminated his employment for “good reason”"good reason" are described below under the heading “Post Employment”.
Mr. Skidmore, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, joined us in August 2013. The severance payments to which Mr. Skidmore will be entitled if we terminate his employment without cause or if he terminates his employment for “good reason” are described below under the heading “Post Employment”."Post Employment." Other details of Mr. Skidmore’sZappa's employment arrangement with us are described in “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.


Mr. Zappa, our Executive Vice President and General Counsel, joined us in April 2015. The severance payments to which Mr. Zappa willMs. Nelligan would be entitled under the Nelligan Letter Agreement if we terminate histerminated her employment without cause or if he terminates hisshe terminated her employment for “good reason”"good reason" are described below under the heading “Post Employment”."Post Employment." Other details of Mr. Zappa’sthe Nelligan Letter Agreement and Ms. Nelligan's employment arrangement with us are described in “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.


68

In connection with the end of Ms. Cunningham's employmentMr. Skidmore's retirement from CHS on May 4, 2018,December 31, 2019, we entered into the Skidmore Letter Agreement with Ms. Cunningham.Mr. Skidmore. Details of Ms. Cunningham'sthe Skidmore Letter Agreement are described below under the heading "Post Employment".Employment."

77



20182020 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

Estimated Future Payouts Under
Nonequity Incentive Plan Awards
NameGrant DateThresholdTargetMaximum
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin
9/5/2019(1)
$928,266 $1,856,532 $3,713,064 
9/5/2019(2)
928,266 1,856,532 6,188,440 
Olivia Nelligan
1/29/2020(1)
327,750 655,500 1,311,000 
1/29/2020(2)
327,750 655,500 2,622,000 
Darin Hunhoff
9/5/2019(1)
325,738 651,475 1,302,950 
9/5/2019(2)
325,738 651,475 2,605,900 
James Zappa
9/5/2019(1)
301,875 603,750 1,207,500 
9/5/2019(2)
301,875 603,750 2,415,000 
Richard Dusek
9/5/2019(1)
300,139 600,278 1,200,556 
9/5/2019(2)
300,139 600,278 2,401,113 
Angela Olsonawski
9/5/2019(1)
122,570 245,140 490,280 
9/5/2019(2)
122,570 245,140 980,560 
Timothy Skidmore
9/5/2019(1)
356,490 356,490 1,425,959 
Estimated Future Payouts Under(1) Represents range of possible awards under our fiscal 2020 Annual Variable Pay Plan.
Non-Equity Incentive
Pursuant to Mr. Skidmore's letter agreement, a prorated portion of his annual variable pay award under the Annual Variable Pay Plan Awardsfor 2020, based on the number of days he was employed by us during fiscal 2020, and calculated at the target level, was paid to Mr. Skidmore.

Name Grant Date Threshold ($) Target ($) Maximum ($)
Jay Debertin 
9-7-17(1)
 $862,500
 $1,725,000
 $3,450,000
  
9-7-17(2)
 862,500
 1,725,000
 6,900,000
  
11-7-17(3)
  -
 862,500
  -
Timothy Skidmore 
9-7-17(1)
 340,975
 681,950
 1,363,900
  
9-7-17(2)
 340,975
 681,950
 2,727,800
  
11-7-17(3)
  -
 207,550
  -
Darin Hunhoff 
9-7-17(1)
 287,500
 575,000
 1,150,000
  
9-7-17(2)
 287,500
 575,000
 2,300,000
  
11-7-17(3)
  -
 175,000
  -
James Zappa 
9-7-17(1)
 270,710
 541,420
 1,082,840
  
9-7-17(2)
 270,710
 541,420
 2,165,680
  
11-7-17(3)
  -
 164,780
  -
Richard Dusek 
9-7-17(1)(6)
 58,570
 117,140
 234,281
  
9-7-17(2)(6)
 58,570
 117,140
 468,562
  
11-13-17(4)
 278,875
 557,750
 1,115,000
  
11-13-17(5)
 278,875
 557,750
 2,231,000
Shirley Cunningham 
9-7-17(1)
 355,350
 710,700
 1,421,400
  
9-7-17(2)
 355,350
 710,700
 2,842,800
  
11-7-17(3)
  -
 216,300
  -
(2) Represents range of possible awards under our LTIP for the fiscal 2020-2022 performance period. Goals are based on achieving a three-year ROIC of 4.9% threshold, 5.9% target and 6.9% maximum plus a potential award for 7.9% superior ROIC performance. Values displayed in the maximum column reflect 7.9% superior ROIC performance award potential. The 5.7% maximum performance award values are not listed in this table. Awards are measured over a three-year period and vest over an additional 28-month period.

(1)
Represents range of possible awards under our fiscal 2018 Annual Variable Pay Plan.

(2)
Represents range of possible awards under our LTIP for the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period. Goals are based on achieving a three-year ROIC of 3.7% threshold, 4.7% target and 5.7% maximum plus a potential award for superior 6.7% ROIC performance. Values displayed in the maximum column reflect 6.7% superior ROIC performance award potential. The 5.7% maximum performance award values are not listed in this table. Awards are earned over a three-year period and vest over an additional 28-month period.

(3)
Represents the maximum potential award opportunity with respect to the Retention Award. The Retention Award is earned only if a participant continues active employment through January 1, 2020, or meets the limited pro ration criteria provided in the award.

(4)
Represents range of possible awards under our fiscal 2018 Annual Variable Pay Plan with respect to grants made to Mr. Dusek on November 13, 2017, at time of his promotion to Executive Vice President, Country Operations.

(5)
Represents range of possible awards under our LTIP for the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period with respect to grants made to Mr. Dusek on November 13, 2017, at time of his promotion to Executive Vice President, Country Operations.

(6)
These grants were canceled when Mr. Dusek was promoted to Executive Vice President, Country Operations on November 13, 2017.


The material terms of annual variable pay and long-term incentive awards that are disclosed in this table, including the vesting schedule, are described under “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.



78
69


20182020 Pension Benefits
NamePlan NameNumber of Years of Credited ServicePresent Value of Accumulated BenefitsPayments During Last Fiscal Year
(Years)(Dollars)(Dollars)
Jay Debertin(1)
Pension Plan36.2500$1,192,910 $— 
 SERP36.25004,976,032 — 
Olivia NelliganPension Plan0.5833— — 
SERP0.583337,484 — 
Darin HunhoffPension Plan28.2500880,370 — 
 SERP28.25001,269,362 — 
James ZappaPension Plan4.3333162,726 — 
 SERP4.3333721,382 — 
Richard Dusek(1)
Pension Plan32.0833993,404 — 
SERP32.0833916,370 — 
Angela OlsonawskiPension Plan18.0000516,387 — 
SERP18.0000349,303 — 
Timothy SkidmorePension Plan7.0000192,170 — 
SERP7.0000776,627 776,627 
NamePlan Name 
Number of
Years of
Credited
Service
(#)
 
Present
Value of
Accumulated
Benefits ($)
 
Payments
During Last
Fiscal Year ($)
Jay Debertin(1)
Pension Plan 34.2500 $962,658
 $
 SERP 34.2500 2,874,485
 
Timothy SkidmorePension Plan 5.0000 138,293
 
 SERP 5.0000 392,205
 
Darin HunhoffPension Plan 26.2500 586,165
 
 SERP 26.2500 402,804
 
James ZappaPension Plan 2.3333 81,190
 
 SERP 2.3333 211,060
 
Richard DusekPension Plan 30.0833 742,138
 
 SERP 30.0833 312,375
 
Shirley CunninghamPension Plan 5.3333 137,946
 
 SERP 5.3333 505,477
 
(1) Mr. Debertin and Mr. Dusek are eligible for early retirement in both the Pension Plan and the SERP.

(1)
Mr. Debertin is eligible for early retirement in both the Pension Plan and the SERP.


The above table shows the present value of accumulated retirement benefits that Named Executive Officers are entitled to under the Pension Plan and the SERP.


For a discussion of the material terms and conditions of the Pension Plan and the SERP, see “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.


The present value of accumulated benefits is determined in accordance with the same assumptions outlined in Note 11, 13, Benefit Plans, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K:


Discount rate of 4.20%2.63% for the Pension Plan and 4.05%1.88% for the SERP;
RP 2014 Mortality Table with a fully generational projection reflecting scale MP 2017 from 2006;
Each Named Executive Officer is assumed to retire at the earliest retirement age at which unreduced benefits are available (age 65). The early retirement benefit under the cash balance plan formula is equal to the participant’s
account balance; and

Payments under the cash balance formula of the Pension Plan assume a lump sum payment. SERP benefits are payable as a lump sum.


The normal form of benefit for a single Named Executive Officer is a life only annuity, and for a married Named Executive Officer the normal form of benefit is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. Other annuity forms are also available on an actuarial equivalent basis. A lump sum option is also available.


All Named Executive Officers’Officers' retirement benefits at normal retirement age will be equal to their accumulated benefits under the Pension Plan and the SERP, as described under “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.












79
70



20182020 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
NameExecutive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year (1)
Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year (2)
Aggregate
Earnings in Last Fiscal Year (3)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
Aggregate Balance
at Last Fiscal Year End (2)(4)
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin$3,809,109 $2,088,162 $634,615 $3,463,777 $16,458,322 
Olivia Nelligan66,500 — 3,962 — 70,462 
Darin Hunhoff— 488,696 338,275 255,331 3,260,422 
James Zappa603,750 459,984 283,232 — 2,921,221 
Richard Dusek333,155 371,364 68,751 — 1,979,744 
Angela Olsonawski311,095 164,751 121,517 — 1,787,839 
Timothy Skidmore652,531 — 141,009 5,274,488 — 
(1) Includes contributions into the Deferred Compensation Plan by the Named Executive Officers representing deferred salary and deferred annual incentive pay. A portion of the contributions reported in this column are included within the amount reported as fiscal 2020 salary in the “Salary” column of the Summary Compensation Table. The specific amounts reported as fiscal 2020 salary in the Summary Compensation Table are: Mr. Debertin, $467,351; Ms. Nelligan, $66,500; Mr. Zappa, $0; Mr. Dusek, $0; Ms. Olsonawski, $118,485; and Mr. Skidmore, $46,499. Another portion of the contributions reported in this column are included within the amount reported as 2019 nonequity incentive plan compensation in the “Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table. Those contributions were made in early fiscal 2020 based on fiscal 2019 results. The specific amounts reported as 2019 nonequity incentive plan compensation in the Summary Compensation Table are: Mr. Debertin, $3,341,758; Ms. Nelligan, $0; Mr. Hunhoff, $0; Mr. Zappa, $603,750; Mr. Dusek, $333,155; Ms. Olsonawski, $192,610; and Mr. Skidmore, $606,032.
Name 
Executive
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year ($) 1
 
Registrant
Contributions in
Last Fiscal Year ($) 2
 
Aggregate Earnings
in Last Fiscal Year
($) 3
 
Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions ($)
 Aggregate Balance
at Last Fiscal Year End ($) 2,4
Jay Debertin $157,167
 $68,837
 $487,943
 $4,011,287
 $10,894,443
Timothy Skidmore 303,483
 26,133
 243,722
 733,471
 3,481,964
Darin Hunhoff 
 20,961
 204,860
 277,002
 2,498,088
James Zappa 82,390
 19,348
 59,834
 
 825,737
Richard Dusek 
 10,558
 34,008
 208,947
 818,397
Shirley Cunningham 244,550
 24,797
 97,352
 2,452,344
 1,595,345


(2) Contributions are made by us into the Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of Named Executive Officers. Amounts include LTIP contribution made in early fiscal 2020 based on fiscal 2017-2019 results, those contributions are also included in the amounts reported in the 2019 “Nonequity” column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $1,692,275; Mr. Hunhoff, $351,304; Mr. Zappa, $331,220; Mr. Dusek, $250,413; and Ms. Olsonawski, $118,507. Also included are retirement contributions made in early fiscal 2020 based on fiscal 2019 results for Profit Sharing and 401(k) match on amounts exceeding IRS compensation limits. Those contributions, and applicable tax withholding, are also included in amounts reported in the 2020 All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $395,887; Mr. Hunhoff, $137,392; Mr. Zappa, $128,764; Mr. Dusek, $120,951; and Ms. Olsonawski, $46,247.
(1)

(3) The amounts in this column include the change in value of the balance, not including contributions made by or on behalf of the Named Executive Officer. Amounts include the following above market earnings in fiscal 2020 that are also reflected in the "Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings" column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $176,541; Ms. Nelligan, $136; Mr. Hunhoff, $10,094; Mr. Zappa, $0; Mr. Dusek, $21,142; Ms. Olsonawski, $9,099; and Mr. Skidmore, $21,239.

(4) Amounts vary in accordance with individual pension plan provisions and voluntary employee deferrals and withdrawals. Amounts reported in this column include amounts previously reported in CHS’s Summary Compensation Table in previous fiscal years when earned if the Named Executive Officer's compensation was required to be disclosed in a previous fiscal year. Amounts previously reported in such fiscal years include earned, but deferred, salary and annual incentive pay; LTIP contributions, retirement contributions on amounts exceeding IRS compensation limits, Profit Sharing contributions and 401(k) match contributions made by us on behalf of the Named Executive Officer; and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Amounts reported in this column also include rollovers, voluntary salary and voluntary incentive plan contributions from predecessor plans with predecessor employers that have increased in value over the course of the Named Executive Officer's career. Named Executive Officers may defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual variable pay to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Earnings on amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan are determined based on the investment election made by the Named Executive Officer from five market-based notional investments with a varying level of risk selected by us and a fixed rate fund. The notional investment returns for fiscal 2020 were as follows: Vanguard Prime Money Market, 1.15%; Vanguard Life Strategy Income, 7.16%; Vanguard Life Strategy Conservative Growth, 9.70%; Vanguard Life Strategy Moderate Growth, 12.03%; Vanguard Life Strategy Growth, 14.25%; and Fixed Rate, 4.00%.

Includes amounts deferred from salary and annual incentive pay reflected in the Summary Compensation Table.
(2)
Contributions are made by us into the Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of Named Executive Officers. Amounts include LTIP, retirement contributions on amounts exceeding IRS compensation limits, Profit Sharing, and 401(k) match. The amounts reported were made in early fiscal 2018 based on fiscal 2017 results. These results are also included in amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $12,296; Mr. Skidmore, $12,309; Mr. Hunhoff, $12,400; Mr. Zappa, $11,913; Mr. Dusek, $12,566; and Ms. Cunningham, $12,325.
(3)
The amounts in this column include the change in value of the balance, not including contributions made by the Named Executive Officer. Amounts include the following above market earnings in fiscal 2018 that are also reflected in the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $105,704; Mr. Skidmore, $16,595; Mr. Hunhoff, $6,226; Mr. Zappa, $0; Mr. Dusek, $7,498; and Ms. Cunningham, $20,650.
(4)
Amounts vary in accordance with individual pension plan provisions and voluntary employee deferrals and withdrawals. These amounts include rollovers, voluntary salary and voluntary incentive plan contributions from predecessor plans with predecessor employers that have increased in value over the course of the executive’s career. Named Executive Officers may defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual variable pay to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Earnings on amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan are determined based on the investment election made by the Named Executive Officer from five market-based notional investments with a varying level of risk selected by us, and a fixed rate fund. The notional investment returns for fiscal 2018 were as follows: Vanguard Prime Money Market, 1.59%; Vanguard Life Strategy Income, 2.32%; Vanguard Life Strategy Conservative Growth, 4.97%; Vanguard Life Strategy Moderate Growth, 7.69%; Vanguard Life Strategy Growth, 10.39%; and the Fixed Rate was 4.00%.
Named Executive Officers may change their investment election daily. Payments of amounts deferred are made in accordance with elections by the Named Executive Officer and in accordance with Section 409A under the Internal Revenue Code. Payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan may be made at a specified date elected by the Named Executive Officer or deferred until retirement, disability, or death. Such payments would be made in a lump sum. In the event of retirement, the Named Executive Officer can elect to receive payments either in a lump sum or annual installments up to 10 years.


For a discussion of the material terms and conditions of the Deferred Compensation Plan, see “Compensation"Compensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis" above.



71

Post Employment


Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Debertin, our President and CEO, is entitled to severance in the event that his employment is terminated by us without cause or by him with “good"good reason." Specifically, severance under the Employment Agreement would consist of:


The annual incentive compensation Mr. Debertin would have been entitled to receive for the year in which his termination occurred as if he had continued until the end of that fiscal year, determined based on our actual performance for that fiscal year relative to the performance goals applicable to Mr. Debertin (with that portion of the annual incentive compensation based on completion or partial completion of

80



previously specified personal goals equal to 30% of the target annual incentive), prorated for the number of days in the fiscal year through Mr. Debertin’s termination date and generally payable in a cash lump sum at the time that incentive awards are payable to other participants;


Two times Debertin’sMr. Debertin's base salary plus two times his target annual incentive compensation, payable in three equal installments with the first installment payable 60 days following termination and the second and third installments payable on the first and second anniversary dates of termination, respectively; and


Welfare benefit continuation for two years following termination.

The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides for severance in the event Ms. Nelligan's employment is terminated by us without cause or by her with "good reason," in the amount of one year of base pay and prorated annual variable pay, payable as a lump sum. In addition, the Nelligan Letter Agreement provides that we will reimburse Ms. Nelligan’s reasonable, documented repatriation expenses to the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, area in the event her employment is terminated by us without cause or by her with "good reason" within the first 36 months of her employment.

Mr. Skidmore’sZappa's employment term sheet with us provides for severance in the event his employment is terminated by us without cause or by him with “good reason”, in the amount of one year of base pay and prorated annual variable pay, payable in a lump sum.
Mr. Zappa’s employment term sheet with us provides for severance in the event his employment is terminated by us without cause, or by him with “good reason”,"good reason" in the amount of one year of base pay and prorated annual variable pay, payable as a lump sum.

    In connection with Mr. Skidmore's retirement from CHS on December 31, 2019, we entered into the Skidmore Letter Agreement with Mr. Skidmore. The Skidmore Letter Agreement includes confidentiality, cooperation, nondisparagement and other customary provisions, as well as one-year covenants regarding nonsolicitation and noncompetition. The Skidmore Letter Agreement also provides for certain payments to Mr. Skidmore, including the following:

A lump sum payment in an amount equal to one year of Mr. Skidmore's base salary, which amount was $619,982, plus the pro rata portion of annual variable compensation earned by Mr. Skidmore for fiscal 2020, calculated based on Mr. Skidmore's target level opportunity of 115% of his base salary;
A $340,975 payment representing the 2017 Retention Award grant that fully vested on January 1, 2020;
A pro rata portion of the 2018 Retention Award in the amount of $170,191, which was paid within 60 days of Mr. Skidmore's retirement on December 31, 2019;
Payment for 30 days of paid time off; and
$700,000 in recognition of earned but unvested long-term incentive compensation that was forfeited due to the end of Mr. Skidmore's employment prior to vesting, to offset medical and dental benefits coverage for 12 months and one year of financial planning expense reimbursement, and for agreeing to be subject to the one-year noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants following his departure from employment. Payment of this amount will be made within 30 days after December 31, 2020. This payment is subject to Mr. Skidmore's ongoing compliance with obligations that continue under the Skidmore Letter Agreement including, without limitation, the noncompetition and nonsolicitation covenants.
Mr. Hunhoff, and Mr. Dusek and Ms. Olsonawski are covered by a broad-based employee severance program whichthat provides a lump sum payment of two weeks of pay per year of service with a 12-month cap.


In connection with the end of Ms. Cunningham's employment on May 4, 2018, we entered into the Letter Agreement with Ms. Cunningham. Under the Letter Agreement, Ms. Cunningham is subject to customary confidentiality and cooperation covenants, as well as one-year non-competition and non-solicitation covenants. The Letter Agreement also provides for Ms. Cunningham to be paid $237,000 within 60 days after the date on which her employment with the Company ended, less applicable tax withholdings, in recognition of earned but unvested long-term incentive compensation that was forfeited due to the end of her employment prior to vesting, subject to her compliance with all of her post-employment obligations under the Letter Agreement. We made the $237,000 payment to Ms. Cunningham on August 10, 2018.

The severance pay that the Named Executive Officers (other than Ms. Cunningham,Mr. Skidmore, whose actual separation-related payment isseverance payments pursuant to the Skidmore Letter Agreement are described above) would have been entitled to had they been terminated by us
72

without cause or terminated their employment for “good reason”"good reason," in each case, as of the last business day of fiscal 20182020 is as follows:

Jay Debertin (1)(2)
$7,711,603
Timothy Skidmore (3)
1,306,824
Darin Hunhoff530,000
James Zappa (3)
1,075,000
Richard Dusek497,125
Shirley Cunningham (3)
237,000


NameAmount
(Dollars)
Jay Debertin (1)(2)
Includes the value of health and welfare insurance based on current monthly rates.

$8,339,196 
(2)Olivia Nelligan (3)(4)
For purposes of calculating the prorated portion of Mr. Debertin's unpaid annual variable pay award for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year.1,325,500 

Darin Hunhoff573,195 
James Zappa (3)
Assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year.1,162,613 
Richard Dusek532,421 
Angela Olsonawski360,706 

(1) Includes the value of health and welfare insurance based on current monthly rates.

(2) For purposes of calculating the prorated portion of Mr. Debertin's unpaid annual variable pay award for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year.

(3) Assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year.

(4) Assumes that Ms. Nelligan would incur an estimated $100,000 of repatriation expenses to the Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, area that we would be required to reimburse under the Nelligan Letter Agreement.

There are no other severance benefits offered to our Named Executive Officers, except for up to $10,000 of outplacement assistance, which would be included as imputed income, and government mandated benefits such as COBRA. Except as otherwise set forth above, the method of payment would be a lump sum. Named Executive Officers not covered by the Skidmore Letter Agreement or employment agreements are not offered any special postretirement health and welfare benefits that are not offered to other similarly situated (i.e., age and service) salaried employees.



81




Pay Ratio

The following pay ratio and supporting information compares the annual total compensation of our employees other than our CEO (including full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees) and the annual total compensation of our CEO, as required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Act.Dodd-Frank. The pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.


For fiscal 2018,2020, our last completed fiscal year:


The median of the annual total compensation of all our employees (other than the CEO) was $59,846; and $75,345; and


The annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table set forth above, was $5,106,306.$11,154,057.


Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median of the annual total compensation of all other employees was 85:was 148:1.


To determine the pay ratio, we took the following steps:


We determined that as of June 1, 2018,2020, the determination date, our employee population consisted of approximately 9,89210,402 individuals, primarily9,878 of which were located in the United States and 524 of which were located outside of the United States. This population consisted of our full-time, part-time, temporary and seasonal employees. Excluded from our employeeFrom this population, are 267we excluded 516 individuals who arewere located in the following 17 countries: Argentina (47 employees)(48), Brazil (234), Bulgaria (5 employees), Canada (7 employees)(4), China (35 employees)(37), Hungary (9 employees)(12), Jordan (1 employee)(1), Paraguay (15 employees)(13), Republic of Korea (3 employees)(3), Romania (49 employees)(60), Russia (2 employees)(2), Serbia (3 employees)(5), Singapore (18 employees)(18), Spain (8 employees)(13), Switzerland (19 employees)(20), Taiwan (3 employees)(3), Ukraine (37 employees)(35) and Uruguay (6 employees)(8). Excluding these employees, our employee population that was used to calculate the pay ratio consisted of 9,6259,886 individuals.


To identify the median employee, we compared regular, bonus and overtime wages (or their equivalents). We then applied a statistical sampling methodology to produce a sample of employees who were paid within a 5% range of the median regular, bonus and overtime wages (or their equivalents), and selected an employee from within that group as our median employee.

73

Once we identified our median employee, we calculated that employee’semployee's annual total compensation for fiscal 20182020 in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, resulting in annual total compensation of $59,846.$75,345.


With respect to our CEO, we used the amount reported as total compensation in the Summary Compensation Table set forth above.


In adopting the pay ratio rule, the SEC expressly sought to provide flexibility to each company to determine the methodology that best suits its own facts and circumstances. Our pay ratio should not be compared to other companies’ pay ratios, because it is based on a methodology specific to us and certain material assumptions, adjustments and estimates have been made in the calculation of the ratio.
    
Director Compensation


Overview


Our Board of Directors met 11eight times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2018. Through August 31, 2018,2020. Each director (other than the chair of the Board) is a member of two Board Committees. At a minimum, each Board Committee meets during each of the Board’s six regular meetings. For fiscal 2020, each director was provided annual compensation of $69,000,$85,000, paid in 12 monthly payments, plus actual expenses and travel allowance, with the Chairmanchair of the Board receiving additional annual compensation of $18,000,$24,000, the First Vice Chairman,first vice chair and the Secretary-Treasurersecretary-treasurer each receiving additional annual compensation of $3,600 and$6,000, all Board committee chairs receiving additional annual compensation of $6,000.$9,000 and members of the Executive Committee who are not eligible for other premiums receiving additional annual compensation of $3,000. These amounts, as well as the minimum retirement plan account contribution for the fiscal years 2020-2022 performance period under the Deferred Compensation Plan, were determined after taking into account the analysis included in the market study of director compensation conducted for the Governance Committee by Mercer (US), a global compensation consulting firm, in fiscal 2019. Each director also receives a per diem of $500 plus actual expenses and travel allowance for each day

82



spent at meetings other than regular Board meetings and the CHS Annual Meeting.Meeting and a per diem of $250 for conference calls other than regular Board meetings. The number of days per diem for days spent at meetings other than regular Board meetings and the CHS Annual Meeting may not exceed 55 days annually, except that the Chairmanchair of the Board is exempt from this limit. There is no cap on per diems permitted for conference calls.


Further, directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan.Plan through a retirement plan account. Other than direct contributions, contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan have historically been made based on the Company's ROAE performance. However, beginningretirement plan account in fiscal 2020, for the 2018-2020 three-year cycle, contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan will beare made based on our ROIC performance during specific three-year periods, with ROIC defined in the Company's ROIC performance.same manner as for the LTIP. We believe that using the ROAE and ROIC performance metrics for this purpose aligns the interests of our directors with the interestinterests of our management and member-owners. The ROAE and ROIC performance targetsgoal levels are the same as the ROAEestablished and ROICapproved by our Board of Directors prior to each three-year performance targets for the applicable LTIP performance period, resulting inperiod. Deferred Compensation Plan credits that vary consistent with actual ROAE orare based on ROIC performance levels, as applicable,results, as detailed on the following pages.


Director Retirement and HealthcareHealth Care Benefits


Members of our Board of Directors are eligible for certain retirement and healthcarehealth care benefits. The director retirement plan is a defined benefit plan and provides for a monthly benefit for the director’sdirector's lifetime, beginning at age 60. Benefits are immediately vested and the monthly benefit is determined according to the following formula: $250 times years of service on the Board (up to a maximum of 15 years). Under no event will the benefit payment be payable for less than 120 months. Payment shall be made to the retired director’sdirector's beneficiary in the event of the director’sdirector's death before 120 payments are made. Prior to 2005, directors could elect to receive their benefit as an actuarial equivalent lump sum. In order toTo comply with IRS requirements, directors were required in 2005 to make a one-time irrevocable election whether to receive their accrued benefit in a lump sum or a monthly annuity upon retirement. If the lump sum was elected, the director would commence benefits upon expiration of his or her Board term.


Effective August 31, 2011, future accruals under the director retirement plan were frozen. Directors elected after that date are not eligible for benefits under that plan.


Retirement benefits are funded by a rabbi trust, with a balance at August 31, 2018,2020, of $8.6$8.3 million.


Directors serving as of September 1, 2005, and their eligible dependents, are eligible to participate in our medical, life, dental, vision and hearing plans. We will pay 100% of the medical premium for the director and their eligible dependents while active on the Board. Term life insurance cost is paid by the director. Retired directors and their dependents are eligible to
74

continue medical and dental insurance with the premiums paid by us after they leave the Board, until they are eligible for Medicare. In the event a director’sdirector's coverage ends due to death or Medicare eligibility, we will pay 100% of the premium for the eligible spouse and eligible dependents until the spouse reaches Medicare age or upon death, if earlier.


New directors elected on or after December 1, 2006, and their eligible dependents, are eligible to participate in our medical, dental, vision and hearing plans. We will pay 100% of the premium for the director and eligible dependents while active on the Board. In the event a director leaves the Board prior to Medicare eligibility, premiums will be shared based on the following schedule:
Years of ServiceDirectorCHS
Up to 3100%0%
3 to 650%50%
6+0%100%


In the event a director’sdirector's coverage ends due to death or Medicare eligibility, premiums for the eligible spouse and eligible dependents will be shared based on the same schedule until the spouse reaches Medicare age or upon death, if earlier.


Deferred Compensation Plan


Directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each participating director may elect to defer up to 100% of his or her monthly director fees into the Deferred Compensation Plan. This must be done prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the fees will be earned, or in the case of newly-electednewly elected directors, upon election to the Board. During fiscal 2018,year 2020, the following directors deferred Board fees pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Erickson, Mr. Fritel, Mr. Johnsrud, Mr. Kehl, Mr. Knecht, Mr. Meyer and Mr. Malesich.Riegel.



83



Benefits are funded in a Rabbi Trust.rabbi trust. The Deferred Compensation Plan Rabbi Trustrabbi trust balance reported elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes amounts deferred by the directors.


Each year we will credit an amount to each director’sdirector's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The fiscal 2018year 2020 credit to each director’s retirement plan account was determined based on the ROAEfollowing ROIC performance goals for fiscal years 2016, 2017 and 2018. Based on the determined actual ROAE performance during those years, no Company contribution was made to any director’s retirement plan account in fiscal 2018.

For fiscal years 2017-2019, the amount that could be credited was based on our cumulative ROAE performance over a three-year period as follows:

2018-2020:     
Amount CreditedCredited*ROAEROIC Performance
$100,000 (Superior Performance)performance)20% Return on Adjusted Equity6.7% ROIC
$50,000 (Maximum)9% Return on Adjusted Equity5.7% ROIC
$25,000 (Target)7% Return on Adjusted Equity4.7% ROIC
$12,500 (Minimum)5.5% Return on Adjusted Equity
$0Below 5.5% Return on Adjusted Equity3.7% ROIC

Beginning in fiscal 2020,*The amount credited for the fiscal years 2018-2020 three-year cycle, we will credit anperformance period was required to be mathematically interpolated if results occurred between the superior performance, maximum, target and minimum ROIC performance levels. If results had been less than the minimum ROIC performance level, the amount credited would have been $12,500.

The actual ROIC performance for the fiscal years 2018-2020 performance period was 7.9% and, accordingly, $100,000 was credited to each director’sdirector's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan based onexcept $75,000 was credited for newly elected directors, Mr. Clemensen and Mr. Throener. This amount is reflected in the ROIC performance metric (as described under the heading "Long-Term Incentive Plan" above).Director Compensation Table.

In connection with the restatement of our consolidated financial statements for    For the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, each of our current directors other than Messrs. Cordes, Farrell, Jones, and Kehl had previously2020-2022 three-year cycle, the amount that will be credited to such director’seach director's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan anwill be as follows:     
Amount Credited*ROIC Performance
$100,000 (Superior performance)7.9% ROIC
$50,000 (Maximum)6.9% ROIC
$25,000 (Target, minimum contribution amount)5.9% ROIC
*The amount credited for the fiscal years 2020-2022 performance period will be mathematically interpolated when results occur between the superior performance, maximum and target ROIC performance levels. If results are less than the target ROIC performance level, the amount credited will be $25,000.

75

For the fiscal years 2021-2023 three-year cycle, the amount that was in excess of what would have beenwill be credited to such account under the restated financial statements. Messrs. Cordes, Farrell, Jones, and Kehl were not a director of the Company at the time such excess contribution was received. For each current affected director, that excess amount was $1,432. Accordingly, each affected director voluntarily declined that excess contribution and voluntarily agreed that such amount should be removed from the director’sdirector's retirement plan accountsaccount under the Deferred Compensation Plan (and such amounts will be so removed). Our Board of Directors also determined to request that any former director who served on our Board of Directors atas follows:     
Amount Credited*ROIC Performance
$100,000 (Superior performance)7.5% ROIC
$50,000 (Maximum)6.5% ROIC
$25,000 (Target, minimum contribution amount)5.5% ROIC
*The amount credited for the time such excess amount was credited also voluntarily decline that amount of excess contribution. However, the former directors have no contractual obligation to allow us to recover such contribution and there can be no assurance that wefiscal years 2021-2023 performance period will be able to recover all or a portion of any former director’smathematically interpolated when results occur between the superior performance, maximum and target ROIC performance levels. If results are less than the target ROIC performance level, the amount credited amount.will be $25,000.


Upon leaving our Board of Directors during the fiscal year, a director’sdirector's credit for that partial fiscal year will be the target amount ($25,000) prorated through the end of the month in which the director departs. Directors who join our Board of Directors during the fiscal year will receive credit for that partial fiscal year based on the actual ROAE or ROIC as applicable, for that fiscal year, prorated from the first of the month following the month in which the director joins our Board of Directors to the end of the fiscal year.



Director Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy


    We have an Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy ("Director Recovery Policy") that applies to our current and former directors ("Covered Director").



    The Director Recovery Policy provides that, in the event of a required revision of our previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of one or more errors that are material to those financial statements, we will require reimbursement or forfeiture of any excess covered deferred compensation received by any Covered Director during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the date on which we determine that we are required to prepare an accounting restatement. For purposes of the Director Recovery Policy, covered deferred compensation includes contributions made to a Covered Director's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan, or any successor plan, provided that such contributions are made based wholly or in part on the attainment of a financial performance measure. The amount of excess retirement plan account contribution will be equal to the amount by which the Covered Director's retirement account contribution for the relevant period exceeded the amount that would have been contributed based on the restated financial results, as determined by our Board of Directors. The method used to recover the applicable excess contribution will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, and may include forfeiting any deferred compensation contribution made under the Deferred Compensation Plan or taking any other remedial or recovery action permitted by law.



































84
76



20182020 Director Compensation

NameFees Earned or
Paid in Cash (1)
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (2)All Other
Compensation (3)
Total
(Dollars)
David Beckman$92,000 $195 $118,694 $210,889 
Clinton J. Blew115,500 5,946 127,927 249,373 
Dennis Carlson (4)
36,083 18,649 28,102 82,834 
Hal Clemensen64,417 22 85,758 150,197 
Scott Cordes100,500 9,107 100,310 209,917 
Jon Erickson105,250 3,956 116,217 225,423 
Mark Farrell94,750 259 101,504 196,513 
Steve Fritel104,500 118 115,302 219,920 
Alan Holm110,750 895 115,742 227,387 
David Johnsrud106,500 1,323 115,742 223,565 
Tracy Jones92,250 259 119,406 211,915 
David Kayser102,500 4,964 124,329 231,793 
Russell Kehl102,000 — 122,210 224,210 
Randy Knecht31,333 5,495 32,920 69,748 
Edward Malesich106,500 8,073 115,742 230,315 
Perry Meyer113,750 868 115,606 230,224 
Steve Riegel98,500 1,896 115,742 216,138 
Daniel Schurr128,250 15,414 121,988 265,652 
Kevin Throener63,917 — 93,687 157,604 

Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($) 1
 
Change in Pension Value
and Nonqualified
Deferred Compensation
Earnings
($) 2
 
All Other
Compensation ($) 3,4
 
Total
($)
Donald Anthony$91,500
 $3,389
 $14,258
 $109,147
Clinton Blew105,350
 1,924
 25,462
 132,736
Dennis Carlson (5)
93,500
 52,682
 17,574
 163,756
Scott Cordes69,750
 10,169
 207
 80,126
Curt Eischens28,000
 3,284
 14,836
 46,120
Jon Erickson87,750
 2,703
 17,574
 108,027
Mark Farrell87,750
 
 1,702
 89,452
Steven Fritel91,250
 158
 14,258
 105,666
Alan Holm94,000
 466
 14,258
 108,724
David Johnsrud71,600
 835
 14,258
 86,693
Tracy Jones65,750
 
 11,815
 77,565
David Kayser85,750
 3,389
 25,939
 115,078
Russell Kehl60,045
 
 13,663
 73,708
Randy Knecht82,250
 4,210
 14,258
 100,718
Greg Kruger39,750
 3,284
 25,904
 68,938
Edward Malesich56,917
 2,429
 14,258
 73,604
Perry Meyer94,750
 625
 13,885
 109,260
Steve Riegel86,750
 1,312
 14,258
 102,320
Daniel Schurr106,250
 1,720
 20,965
 128,935
(1) Of this amount, the following directors deferred the succeeding amounts to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Clemensen, $14,000; Mr. Erickson, $3,000; Mr. Fritel, $44,850; Mr. Johnsrud, $24,000; Mr. Kehl, $18,333; Mr. Knecht, $10,000; Mr. Meyer, $6,000; Mr. Riegel, $16,000; and Mr. Throener, $3,818.


(2) This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the director’s benefit under his retirement program, and nonqualified earnings, if applicable. The change in pension value will vary by director based on several factors including age, service, pension benefit elected (lump sum or annuity), discount rate and mortality factor used to calculate the benefit due. Future accruals under the plan were frozen as of August 31, 2011, as stated above.
(1)
Of this amount, the following directors deferred the succeeding amounts to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Erickson, $9,000; Mr. Johnsrud, $24,000; Mr. Kehl, $4,455; Mr. Knecht, $5,000; and Mr. Malesich $28,333.
(2)
This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the director’s benefit under his retirement program, and nonqualified earnings, if applicable. The change in pension value will vary by director based on several factors including age, service, pension benefit elected (lump sum or annuity - see above), discount rate and mortality factor used to calculate the benefit due. Future accruals under the plan were frozen as of August 31, 2011, as stated above.
Above-market earnings represent earnings exceeding 120% of the Federal Reserve long-term rate as determined by the IRS on applicable funds. The following directors had above market earnings during fiscal 2018:2020: Mr. Anthony, $3,389;Beckman, $195; Mr. Blew, $1,924;$2,913; Mr. Carlson, $3,389;$4,740; Mr. Clemensen, $22; Mr. Cordes, $10,169; Mr. Eischens, $3,284;$9,107; Mr. Erickson, $2,703;$3,956; Mr. Farrell, $0;$259; Mr. Fritel, $158;$118; Mr. Holm, $466;$895; Mr. Johnsrud, $835;$1,323; Mr. Jones, $0;$259; Mr. Kayser, $3,389;$4,964; Mr. Kehl, $0; Mr. Knecht, $4,210; Mr. Kruger, $3,284;$5,495; Mr. Malesich, $2,429;$8,073; Mr. Meyer, $625;$868; Mr. Riegel, $1,312;$1,896; Mr. Schurr, $1,487; and Mr. Schurr, $1,720.Throener, $0.
(3)
(3) All other compensation includes health insurance premiums, conference and registration fees, meals and related spousal expenses for trips made with a director on CHS business. Total amounts vary primarily due to the variations in health insurance premiums, which are due to the number of dependents covered. The health insurance premiums, conference and registration fees, meals and related spousal expenses for trips made with a director on CHS business. Total amounts vary primarily due to the variations in health insurance premiums, which are due to the number of dependents covered.
Health care premiums paid were less than $25,000 for each director, other than Mr. Blew, for whom we paid health insurance premiums of $27,824.
All other compensation also includes fiscal 2020 director retirement plan Deferred Compensation Plan contributions of $100,000 for each director except for newly elected directors, include: Mr. Anthony, Mr. Fritel, Mr. Holm, Mr. Johnsrud, Mr. Knecht, Mr. MalesichClemensen and Mr. Riegel, $13,948;Throener, $75,000; and for former directors Mr. Carlson and Mr. Erickson, $17,264; Mr. Blew and Mr. Kayser, $25,152; Mr.Knecht, $8,333.

(4) Made a one-time irrevocable retirement election in 2005 to receive a lump sum benefit under the director retirement plan. All other directors that were first elected on or prior to August 31, 2011, will receive a monthly annuity upon retirement. The director retirement plan benefit was frozen as of August 31, 2011. Accordingly, directors who are first elected after that date are not eligible for benefits under that plan.




85
77


Eischens, $6,264; Mr. Farrell, $1,392; Mr. Jones, $11,608; Mr. Kehl, $13,456; Mr. Kruger, $17,468; Mr. Meyer, $13,568; Mr. Schurr, $20,564; Mr. Cordes, $0.
(4)
All other compensation includes fiscal 2018 director retirement plan Deferred Compensation Plan contributions for former directors, Mr. Eischens and Mr. Kruger, $8,333.
(5)
Made a one-time irrevocable retirement election in 2005 to receive a lump sum benefit under the director retirement plan. All other directors that were first elected on or prior to August 31, 2011, will receive a monthly annuity upon retirement. The director retirement plan benefit was frozen as of August 31, 2011. Accordingly, directors who are first elected after that date are not eligible for benefits under that plan.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation


Our Board of Directors does not have a compensation committee. The GovernanceExecutive Committee of our Board of Directors recommends to the entire Board of Directors salary actions relative to our CEO. The entire Board of Directors determines the compensation and the terms of the employment agreement with our CEO. Our CEO decides base compensation levels for the other Named Executive Officers with input from a third-party consultant if necessary, and recommends for our Board of Directors' approval the annual and long-term incentive plan performance goals applicable to the other Named Executive Officers.

During fiscal 2018, the members of the Governance Committee of our Board of Directors (the committee of our Board of Directors that performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee)committee with respect to our CEO and the Governance Committee performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee, other than with respect to our CEO.

During fiscal 2020, the members of the Executive Committee were Messrs. EdwardSchurr (chair), Blew (vice chair), Erickson, Kehl and Riegel, and the members of the Governance Committee were Messrs. Malesich (chair), Dennis Carlson, David Johnsrud, TracyKehl (vice chair), Jones, Russell KehlKayser, Riegel and Steve Riegel.Throener. During fiscal 2018,2020, no executive officer of CHS served on the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) or board of directors of any other entity that had any executive officer who also served on ourthe Executive Committee, the Governance Committee or our Board of Directors. None of the directors who served as a member of the Executive Committee or Governance Committee during fiscal 2020 are, or have been, officers or employees of CHS.


See Item 13,Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence, of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for directors, including Messrs. Carlson, EischensErickson, Jones, Kayser, Kehl and Johnsrud,Throener, who were a party to related-person transactions.

Compensation Committee Report


The Executive Committee (the committee of our Board of Directors that performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee with respect to our CEO) and the Governance Committee (the committee of our Board of Directors that performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee) hascommittee, other than with respect to our CEO) have each reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC with management and, based on such review and discussion,discussions, each of the Executive Committee and the Governance Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Respectfully submitted,


Executive Committee
Daniel Schurr, Chair
Clinton J. Blew
Jon Erickson
Russell Kehl
Steve Riegel

Governance Committee
Edward Malesich, Chairman
Dennis Carlson
David JohnsrudChair
Tracy Jones
David Kayser
Russell Kehl
StevenSteve Riegel
Kevin Throener




86
78




ITEM 12.    SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS


Beneficial ownership of our equity securities by each member of our Board of Directors, each of our Named Executive Officers and all members of our Board of Directors and executive officers as a group as of October 15, 2018,18, 2020, is shown below. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares attributable to such person.
Title of Class
8% Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock
Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Name of Beneficial OwnerAmount of
Beneficial Ownership
% of Class (1)Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
% of Class (2)
Directors:(Shares) (Shares)
David Beckman— *— *
Clinton J. Blew— *— *
Hal Clemensen— *— *
Scott Cordes (3)
200 *11,750 *
Jon Erickson300 *1,508 *
Mark Farrell6,000 *— *
Steven Fritel— *— *
Alan Holm— *— *
David Johnsrud— *1,650 *
Tracy Jones— *— *
David Kayser— *630 *
Russell Kehl— *— *
Edward Malesich— *— *
Perry Meyer (3)
120 *— *
Steve Riegel245 *1,460 *
Daniel Schurr— *— *
Kevin Throener— *— *
Named Executive Officers: 
Jay Debertin (3)
1,200 *— *
Richard Dusek— *— *
Darin Hunhoff596 *— *
Olivia Nelligan— *— *
Angela Olsonawski— *— *
Timothy Skidmore (3)
— *16,002 *
James Zappa— *— *
All other executive officers— *400 *
Directors and executive officers as a group8,661 *33,400 *
  Title of Class
  
8% Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock
 Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Name of Beneficial Owner Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
 % of Class (1) Amount of
Beneficial Ownership
 % of Class (2)
Directors: (Shares)   (Shares)  
Donald Anthony 
 * 
 *
Clinton J. Blew 
 * 
 *
Dennis Carlson 60
 * 
 *
Scott Cordes (3)
 200
 * 9,600
 *
Jon Erickson 300
 * 414
 *
Mark Farrell 4,800
 * 
 *
Steve Fritel 880
 * 
 *
Alan Holm 
 * 
 *
David Johnsrud 
 * 1,650
 *
Tracy Jones 
 * 
 *
David Kayser 
 * 630
 *
Russ Kehl 
 * 
 *
Randy Knecht (3)
 1,027
 * 229
 *
Edward Malesich 
 * 
 *
Perry Meyer (3)
 120
 * 
 *
Steve Riegel 245
 * 88
 *
Daniel Schurr 
 * 
 *
Named Executive Officers:        
Jay Debertin (3)
 1,200
 * 
 *
Richard Dusek 
 * 
 *
Darin Hunhoff 596
 * 
 *
Timothy Skidmore (3)
 
 * 5,512
 *
James Zappa 
 * 
 *
All other executive officers 
 * 
 *
Directors and executive officers as a group 9,428
 * 18,123
 *

(1)
As of October 15, 2018, there were 12,272,003 shares of 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding.
(2)
As of October 15, 2018, there were 78,659,066 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding with 21,459,066, 16,800,000, 19,700,000 and 20,700,000 attributed to Series 1, Series 2, Series 3 and Series 4, respectively.
(3)
Includes shares held by spouse, children and Individual Retirement Accounts.
*Less than 1%.


(1) As of October 18, 2020, there were 12,272,003 shares of 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding.

(2) As of October 18, 2020, there were 78,659,066 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding with 21,459,066, 16,800,000, 19,700,000 and 20,700,000 attributed to Series 1, Series 2, Series 3 and Series 4, respectively.

(3) Includes shares held by spouse, children and Individual Retirement Accounts.

We have no compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance.


To our knowledge, there is no person or group who is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class or series of our preferred stock.



87
79




ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE


Because our directors must be active patrons of CHS or of an affiliated association, transactions between us and our directors are customary and expected. Transactions include the sales of commodities to us and the purchases of products and services from us, as well as patronage refunds and equity redemptions received from us. During the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, the value of those transactions between a particular director (and any immediate family member of a director, which includes any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director) and us in which the total amount involved exceeded $120,000 areis shown below.
Transaction Type
NameTransactions with CHSCash Patronage Dividends
(Dollars)
Scott Cordes$145,298 $44 
Jon Erickson573,033 3,228 
Steve Fritel830,346 774 
David Johnsrud2,298,775 3,973 
Tracy Jones2,844,406 891 
David Kayser750,299 2,049 
Russell Kehl3,558,329 12,867 
Kevin Throener1,025,420 2,602 
NameTransactions with CHS 
Patronage
Dividends
Donald Anthony$543,208
 $
Dennis Carlson391,570
 
Jon Erickson570,081
 
David Johnsrud2,245,057
 
Tracy Jones2,205,480
 
David Kayser1,185,897
 
Russ Kehl3,541,811
 


Additionally, Kehl Farms, LLC, which is owned by our director RussRussell Kehl, entered into a 20182020 crop inputs loan with CHS Capital for the purchase of crop inputs, seeds, supplies and fuel in March 2018 (the "Loan"2020 ("Kehl Loan"). The Kehl Loan bears interest at the rate of 7.25%6.50% per annum, which is payable upon maturity in February 2021. The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Kehl Loan during the year ended August 31, 2020, and the balance on August 31, 2020, was $688,975. During the year ended August 31, 2020, no principal or interest was paid on the Kehl Loan. Also, in December 2019 our director David Kayser entered into a 2020 crop inputs loan with CHS Capital for the purchase of crop inputs ("Kayser Loan") with a maturity date in December 2020. No interest accrues or is payable under the Kayser Loan. The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Kayser Loan during the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, and the Loan balance on August 31, 2018,2020, was $1,263,871.$87,500. During the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, no principal or interest was paid on the Kayser Loan. The Loan will mature in January 2019.terms of these financing arrangements were provided pursuant to financing programs widely available to our qualified customers.


Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Party Transactions


Pursuant to its amended and restated charter, our Audit Committee has responsibility for the review and approval of all transactions between CHS and any related parties or affiliates of CHS, including its officers and directors, other than transactions in the ordinary course of business and on market terms as described above.terms.


Related persons can include any of our directors or executive officers and any of their immediate family members, as defined by the SEC. In evaluating related person transactions, the committee members apply the same standards they apply to their general responsibilities as members of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.Committee. The committee will approve a related person transaction when, in its good faith judgment, the transaction is in the best interest of CHS. To identify related person transactions, each year we require our directors and officers to complete a questionnaire identifying any transactions with CHS in which the officer or director or their immediate family members have an interest. We also review our business records to identify potentially qualifying transactions between a related party and us. In addition, we have a written policy addressing related persons (included in our Global Code of Conduct) that describes our expectation that all directors, officers and employees who may have a potential or apparent conflict of interest will notify our legal department of any such transactions.


Director Independence


We are a Minnesota cooperative corporation managed by a Board of Directors made up of 17 members. Nomination and election of the directors is done by eight separate regions. In addition to meeting other requirements for directorship, candidates must reside in the region from which they are elected. Directors are elected for three-year terms. The terms of directors are staggered and no more than seven director positions are elected at an annual meeting of Members.members. Nominations for director elections are made by the Voting Membersvoting members at theeach region caucuses atcaucus held during our annual meeting of Members.members. Neither
80

the Board of Directors nor management of CHS participates in the nomination process. Accordingly, we have no nominating committee.



88



The following directors satisfy the definition of director independence set forth in the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("Nasdaq"):
The Nasdaq:
Independent Directors
David BeckmanMark FarrellEdward Malesich
Clinton J. BlewSteve FritelEdward MalesichPerry Meyer
Dennis CarlsonHal ClemensenAlan HolmPerry MeyerSteve Riegel
Jon EricksonScott CordesDavid KayserSteve RiegelDaniel Schurr
Mark FarrellJon EricksonRandy KnechtRussell KehlDaniel SchurrKevin Throener


Further, although we do not need to rely upon an exemption for the Board of Directors as a whole, we are exempt pursuant to theThe Nasdaq rules from theThe Nasdaq director independence requirements as they relate to the makeup of the Board of Directors as a whole and the makeup of the committee performing the functions of a compensation committee. The Nasdaq exemption applies to cooperatives that are structured to comply with relevant state law and federal tax law and that do not have a publicly traded class of common stock. All of the members of our Audit Committee are independent. All of the members of our Governance Committee and Executive Committee (the committeecommittees of our Board of Directors that performsperform the equivalent functions of a compensation committee) are independent other than David Johnsrud, Tracy Jones and Russ Kehl.Mr. Jones.


Independence of CEO and Board ChairmanChair Positions


Our bylaws prohibit any employee of CHS from serving on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, our CEO may not serve as Chairmanchair of the Board or in any CHS Board capacity. We believe that this leadership structure creates independence between the Board and management and is an important feature of appropriate checks and balances in the governance of CHS.


Board of Directors Role in Risk Oversight


It is senior management’smanagement's responsibility to identify, assess and manage our exposures to risk. Our Board of Directors plays an important and significant role in overseeing the overall risk management approach, including the review and, where appropriate, approval of guidelines and policies that govern our risk management process. Our management and Board of Directors have jointly identified multiple broad categories of risk exposure, each of which could impact operations and affect results at an enterprise level. Each such significant enterprise level risk is reviewed periodically by management with the Board of Directors and/or a committee of the Board as appropriate. The review includes an analysis by management of the continued applicability of the risk, our performance in managing or mitigating the risk, and possible additional or emerging risks to consider. As additional areas of risk are identified, our Board of Directors and/or a committee of the Board provides review and oversight of management's actions to identify, assess and manage that risk. We continue to develop a formal Enterprise Risk Managemententerprise risk management program intended to support integration of the risk assessment and management discipline and controls into major decision makingdecision-making and business processes. The Corporate Risk Committee is involved in developingreviewing and approving the Enterprise Risk Managemententerprise risk management framework and is responsible for evaluatingoverseeing its effectiveness on an ongoing basis. When appropriate, the Corporate Risk Committee meets jointly with the Audit Committee to discuss common financial or other risks across CHS that may have potential material impact to our financial statements.















81

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES


The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services rendered during the years ended August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017:2019:
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)
Audit fees (1)
$6,374 $6,368 
Audit-related fees (2)
— 13 
Tax fees (3)
349 115 
All other fees (4)
241 76 
Total$6,964 $6,572 
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Audit Fees (1)
$6,985
 $4,408
Audit-related Fees (2)
294
 546
Tax Fees (3)
53
 84
All Other Fees (4)
218
 1
Total$7,550
 $5,039

(1)
Includes fees for audit of annual financial statements and reviews of the related quarterly financial statements, certain statutory audits and work related to filings of registration statements.
(2)
Includes fees for employee benefit plan audits, due diligence on acquisitions and internal control and system audit procedures.

(1) Includes fees for audit of annual financial statements and reviews of the related quarterly financial statements and certain statutory audits.
89


(2) Includes fees for employee benefit plan audits, due diligence on acquisitions and internal control and system audit procedures.

(3)
Includes fees related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
(4)
Includes fees related to other professional services performed for international entities.


(3) Includes fees related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

(4) Includes fees related to other professional services performed.

In accordance with the CHS Inc. Audit Committee Charter, as amended, our Audit Committee adopted the following policies and procedures for the approval of the engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm for audit, review or attest services and for pre-approval of certain permissible non-auditnonaudit services, all to ensure auditor independence.


Our independent registered public accounting firm will provide audit, review and attest services only at the direction of, and pursuant to engagement fees and terms approved by our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee approves, in advance, all non-auditnonaudit services to be performed by the independent auditors and the fees and compensation to be paid to the independent auditors. Our Audit Committee approved 100% of the services listed above in advance.

82
90




PART IV.IV


ITEM 15.    EXHIBITS    EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


(a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The following financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Regulation S-X promulgated by the SEC also requires separate financial statements of significant equity method investments to be filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K when the equity income attributable to a significant equity method investment exceeds 20% of income before income taxes for any of our fiscal years for which financial statements are required to be presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. As equity income from our investment in CF Nitrogen exceeded 20% of our income before income taxes for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2020, separate financial statements for CF Nitrogen will be filed as an amendment to this Annual Report on Form 10-K within 90 days after CF Nitrogen’s fiscal year end on December 31, 2020.

(a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
  
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
 
Additions:
Charged to Costs
and Expenses *
 
Deductions:
Write-offs, net
of Recoveries
 
Balance at
End
of Year
  (Dollars in thousands)
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts  
  
  
  
2018 $225,726
 $2,748
 $(6,661) $221,813
2017 163,644
 191,581
 (129,499) 225,726
2016 106,445
 65,725
 (8,526) 163,644
         
Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets        
2018 $289,083
 $61,854
 $(120,563) $230,374
2017 (As restated) 213,583
 115,893
 (40,393) 289,083
2016 (As restated) 104,334
 138,794
 (29,545) 213,583
         
Reserve for Supplier Advance Payments 

     

2018 $130,705
 $
 $(20,092) $110,613
2017 
 130,705
 
 130,705

Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Additions:
Charged to Costs
and Expenses*
Deductions:
Write-offs, Net
of Recoveries
Balance at
End
of Year
 (Dollars in thousands)
Allowances for doubtful accounts    
2020$176,805 $3,089 $(14,354)$165,540 
2019221,813 57,380 (102,388)176,805 
2018225,726 2,748 (6,661)221,813 
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets
2020$246,344 $5,206 $(31,659)$219,891 
2019230,374 41,260 (25,290)246,344 
2018289,083 61,854 (120,563)230,374 
Reserve for supplier advance payments
2020$65,885 $$$65,885 
2019110,613 (44,728)65,885 
2018130,705 (20,092)110,613 
*netNet of reserve adjustments






91



(a)(3) EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
10.1
10.2
10.3
10.4

92



10.4A
10.4B
10.5
10.5A
10.5B
10.6
10.6A
10.7
10.7A
10.7B
10.7C
10.7D
10.7E
10.8
10.8A
10.8B
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.11A
10.12
10.12A
10.12B
10.13
10.13A
10.13B
10.13C

93



10.13D
10.13E
10.13F
10.14
10.15
10.15A
10.15B
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.20
10.21
10.21A
10.21B
10.22
10.23
10.23A
10.23B
10.23C
10.23D
10.23E
10.24

94



10.24A
10.24B
10.24C
10.24D
10.25
10.26
10.27
10.28
10.28A
10.29
10.29A
10.29B
10.29C
10.29D
10.29E
10.30
10.31
10.31A
10.32
10.33

95



10.34
10.34A
10.35
10.36
10.36A
10.36B
10.36C
10.37
10.37A
10.37B
10.38
10.39
10.40

10.41
10.42


96



21.1
23.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101The following financial information from CHS Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (vi) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. (*)

(*)    Filed herewith.
(**)Schedules have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(b)(2) of Regulation S-K. CHS hereby undertakes to furnish supplemental copies of any of the omitted schedules to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
(***)Portions of Exhibits 2.1 and 10.30 have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(+)    Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.

(b) EXHIBITS

The exhibits shown in Item 15(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are being filed herewith.

(c) SCHEDULES

None.


ITEM 16.    FORM 10-K SUMMARY


None.

83

97


    (a)(3) EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT INDEX
2.1
3.1
3.2
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
4.11
4.12
4.13
4.14
4.15
10.1
10.1A
10.2
84

10.2A
10.2B
10.3
10.3A
10.4
10.4A
10.4B
10.5
10.5A
10.5B
10.6
10.7
10.7A
10.7B
10.7C
10.7D
10.7E
10.7F
10.8
10.8A
10.8B
10.8C
10.9
10.10
10.11
10.12
85

10.12A
10.12B
10.12C
10.12D
10.13
10.14
10.14A
10.15
10.15A
10.15B
10.15C
10.15D
10.15E
10.16
10.17
10.18
10.19
10.19A
10.19B
10.20
86

10.21

10.22
10.22A
10.22B
10.22C
10.22D
10.22E
10.22F
10.22G
10.23
10.23A
10.23B
10.24
87

10.24A
10.25
10.25A
10.25B
10.25C
10.25D
10.26
10.26A
10.27
10.27A
10.28
10.40
10.40A
10.41
10.42
21.1
23.1
24.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
32.2
101.INSXBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. (*)
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. (*)
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. (*)
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. (*)
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. (*)
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
(*) Filed herewith.

(**) Portions of Exhibits 2.1 and 10.17 have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order under the Exchange Act.
88


(+) Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or agreement.

(b) EXHIBITS

    The exhibits shown in Item 15(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are being filed herewith.

    (c) SCHEDULES

None.

89

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, on December 3, 2018.November 5, 2020.


CHS INC.
By: /s/ Jay D. Debertin
Jay D. Debertin
President and Chief Executive Officer


Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on December 3, 2018:
November 5, 2020:
SignatureTitle
/s/ Jay D. DebertinPresident and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Jay D. Debertin
SignatureTitle
/s/ Jay D. DebertinOlivia Nelligan
President and Chief Executive Officer
(principal executive officer)
Jay D. Debertin
/s/  Timothy SkidmoreExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)
Timothy SkidmoreOlivia Nelligan
/s/  Daniel Lehmann
Vice President Finance, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
Daniel Lehmann
/s/ Daniel SchurrChairman of the Board of Directors
Daniel Schurr
/s/ Donald AnthonyDirector
Donald Anthony
/s/ Clinton J. BlewDirector
Clinton J. Blew
/s/ Dennis CarlsonDirector
Dennis Carlson
/s/ Scott CordesDirector
Scott Cordes
/s/ Jon EricksonDirector
Jon Erickson
/s/ Mark FarrellDirector
Mark Farrell
/s/ Steve FritelDirector
Steve Fritel

98



/s/ Alan HolmDaniel LehmannDirectorVice President Finance, Corporate Controller
and Chief Accounting Officer
(principal accounting officer)
Alan HolmDaniel Lehmann
/s/ David Johnsrud*DirectorChair of the Board of Directors
David JohnsrudDaniel Schurr
/s/ Tracy Jones*Director
Tracy JonesDavid Beckman
/s/ David Kayser*Director
David KayserClinton J. Blew
/s/ Russell Kehl*Director
Russell KehlHal Clemensen
/s/ Randy Knecht*Director
Randy KnechtScott A. Cordes
/s/ Edward Malesich*Director
Edward MalesichJon Erickson
/s/ Perry Meyer*Director
Perry MeyerMark Farrell
/s/ Steve Riegel*Director
Steve RiegelFritel
*Director
Alan Holm


9990




*Director
David Johnsrud
*Director
Tracy G. Jones
*Director
David R. Kayser
*Director
Russell A. Kehl
*Director
Edward Malesich
*Director
Perry Meyer
*Director
Steve Riegel
*Director
Kevin Throener

*By/s/ Jay D. Debertin
Jay D. Debertin
Attorney-in-fact

91

Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


To the Board of Directors, Members and Patrons of CHS Inc.:


Opinion on the Financial Statements


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CHS Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of August 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes in equities and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2018,2020, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts and reserves for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2018,2020, appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 20182020 and 2017,2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2018,2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.


Restatement of Previously Issued Financial StatementsChange in Accounting Principle


As discussed in Note 21 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its 2017 and 2016 financial statements to correct misstatements.changed the manner in which it accounts for leases as of September 1, 2019.


Basis for Opinion


These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.


We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.


Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.




pwcsignaturea05.jpg
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
December 3, 2018November 5, 2020


We have served as the Company's auditor since 1998.

F-1

Table of ContentsContents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


 August 31,
 20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets: 
Cash and cash equivalents$140,874 $211,179 
Receivables2,366,047 2,731,209 
Inventories2,742,138 2,854,288 
Other current assets1,017,488 865,919 
Total current assets6,266,547 6,662,595 
Investments3,630,033 3,683,996 
Property, plant and equipment4,957,938 5,088,708 
Other assets1,139,429 1,012,195 
Total assets$15,993,947 $16,447,494 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
Current liabilities:  
Notes payable$1,575,491 $2,156,108 
Current portion of long-term debt189,287 39,210 
Accounts payable1,724,516 1,931,415 
Accrued expenses501,904 555,323 
Other current liabilities928,843 901,651 
Total current liabilities4,920,041 5,583,707 
Long-term debt1,601,836 1,749,901 
Other liabilities652,897 496,356 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Equities:  
Preferred stock2,264,038 2,264,038 
Equity certificates5,161,610 4,988,877 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(233,924)(226,933)
Capital reserves1,618,147 1,584,158 
Total CHS Inc. equities8,809,871 8,610,140 
Noncontrolling interests9,302 7,390 
Total equities8,819,173 8,617,530 
Total liabilities and equities$15,993,947 $16,447,494 
 August 31,
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS   
Current assets: 
 

Cash and cash equivalents$450,617
 $181,379
Receivables2,460,401
 1,892,168
Inventories2,768,649
 2,601,604
Derivative assets329,757
 218,742
Margin and related deposits151,150
 206,062
Supplier advance payments288,423
 249,234
Other current assets244,208
 281,925
Total current assets6,693,205
 5,631,114
Investments3,711,925
 3,750,993
Property, plant and equipment5,141,719
 5,356,434
Other assets834,329
 1,080,381
Total assets$16,381,178
 $15,818,922
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES   
Current liabilities: 
  
Notes payable$2,272,196
 $1,985,163
Current portion of long-term debt167,565
 156,345
Customer margin deposits and credit balances137,395
 157,914
Customer advance payments409,088
 423,770
Accounts payable1,844,489
 1,991,294
Derivative liabilities438,465
 300,946
Accrued expenses511,032
 454,996
Dividends and equities payable153,941
 12,121
Total current liabilities5,934,171
 5,482,549
Long-term debt1,762,690
 2,023,448
Long-term deferred tax liabilities182,770
 329,980
Other liabilities336,519
 277,305
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

Equities: 
  
Preferred stock2,264,038
 2,264,038
Equity certificates4,609,456
 4,341,649
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(199,915) (180,360)
Capital reserves1,482,003
 1,267,808
Total CHS Inc. equities8,155,582
 7,693,135
Noncontrolling interests9,446
 12,505
Total equities8,165,028
 7,705,640
Total liabilities and equities$16,381,178
 $15,818,922


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.



F-2

Table of ContentsContents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS


 Years Ended August 31,
 202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$28,406,365 $31,900,453 $32,683,347 
Cost of goods sold27,424,558 30,516,120 31,591,227 
Gross profit981,807 1,384,333 1,092,120 
Marketing, general and administrative expenses704,542 724,731 639,756 
Operating earnings277,265 659,602 452,364 
Gain on disposal of business(1,450)(3,886)(131,816)
Interest expense116,977 167,065 149,202 
Other income(38,425)(82,423)(82,737)
Equity income from investments(186,715)(236,755)(153,515)
Income before income taxes386,878 815,601 671,230 
Income tax benefit(36,731)(12,456)(104,076)
Net income423,609 828,057 775,306 
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests1,170 (1,823)(601)
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $422,439 $829,880 $775,907 
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$32,683,347
 $32,037,426
 $30,355,260
Cost of goods sold31,589,887
 31,142,766
 29,386,515
Gross profit1,093,460
 894,660
 968,745
Marketing, general and administrative674,083
 612,007
 601,266
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(37,709) 456,679
 75,036
Operating earnings (loss)457,086
 (174,026) 292,443
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(131,816) 2,190
 
Interest expense149,202
 171,239
 113,704
Other (income) loss(78,015) (99,951) (47,609)
Equity (income) loss from investments(153,515) (137,338) (175,777)
Income (loss) before income taxes671,230
 (110,166) 402,125
Income tax expense (benefit)(104,076) (181,124) 19,099
Net income (loss)775,306
 70,958
 383,026
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(601) (634) (223)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $775,907
 $71,592
 $383,249


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.



F-3

Table of ContentsContents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


Years Ended August 31,
202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income$423,609 $828,057 $775,306 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefits12,798 (32,559)20,066 
Unrealized net loss on available-for-sale investments(3,148)
Cash flow hedges(4,411)20,196 2,540 
Foreign currency translation adjustment(15,378)(9,949)(12,021)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax(6,991)(22,312)7,437 
Comprehensive income416,618 805,745 782,743 
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests1,170 (1,823)(601)
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $415,448 $807,568 $783,344 
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)$775,306
 $70,958
 $383,026
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:     
Postretirement benefit plan activity20,066
 32,702
 6,583
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments(3,148) 4,385
 1,500
Cash flow hedges2,540
 2,242
 (3,872)
Foreign currency translation adjustment(12,021) (8,159) (2,904)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax7,437
 31,170
 1,307
Comprehensive income782,743
 102,128
 384,333
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(601) (634) (223)
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $783,344
 $102,762
 $384,556


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.





F-4

Table of ContentsContents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITIES


Years Ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
 Equity Certificates Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
   
Capital
Equity
Certificates
Nonpatronage
Equity
Certificates
Nonqualified Equity CertificatesPreferred
Stock
Capital
Reserves
Noncontrolling
Interests
Total
Equities
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2017$3,906,426 $29,836 $405,387 $2,264,038 $(180,360)$1,267,808 $12,505 $7,705,640 
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates6,058 — (126,333)— — 126,333 — 6,058 
Distribution of 2017 patronage refunds— — 128,831 — — (128,831)— — 
Redemptions of equities(6,064)(185)(476)— — — — (6,725)
Preferred stock dividends— — — — — (168,668)— (168,668)
Other, net(3,840)(153)(361)— — 2,792 (2,458)(4,020)
Net income (loss)— — — — — 775,907 (601)775,306 
Other comprehensive income, net of tax— — — — 7,437 — — 7,437 
Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves— — — — (26,992)26,992 — — 
Estimated 2018 patronage refunds— — 345,330 — — (420,330)— (75,000)
Estimated 2018 equity redemptions(65,000)— (10,000)— — — — (75,000)
Balances, August 31, 20183,837,580 29,498 742,378 2,264,038 (199,915)1,482,003 9,446 8,165,028 
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates78,941 — (345,330)— — 420,330 — 153,941 
Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds— — 352,980 — — (428,756)— (75,776)
Redemptions of equities(70,859)(409)(14,272)— — — — (85,540)
Preferred stock dividends— — — — — (168,668)— (168,668)
Other, net(2,169)(15)(1,844)— — 7,061 (233)2,800 
Net income (loss)— — — — — 829,880 (1,823)828,057 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — — — (22,312)— — (22,312)
Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves— — — — (4,706)4,706 — — 
Estimated 2019 patronage refunds— — 472,398 — — (562,398)— (90,000)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions(90,000)— — — — — (90,000)
Balances, August 31, 20193,753,493 29,074 1,206,310 2,264,038 (226,933)1,584,158 7,390 8,617,530 
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates80,000 — (462,398)— — 562,398 — 180,000 
Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds— — 474,407 — — (564,522)— (90,115)
Redemptions of equities(80,133)(340)(15,965)— — — — (96,438)
Preferred stock dividends— — — — — (168,668)— (168,668)
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment— — — — 25,320 — 25,320 
Other, net(1,173)(7)(628)— — (1,008)742 (2,074)
Net income— — — — — 422,439 1,170 423,609 
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax— — — — (6,991)— — (6,991)
Estimated 2020 patronage refunds— — 211,970 — — (241,970)— (30,000)
Estimated 2020 equity redemptions(28,000)— (5,000)— — — — (33,000)
Balances, August 31, 2020$3,724,187 $28,727 $1,408,696 $2,264,038 $(233,924)$1,618,147 $9,302 $8,819,173 
 For the Years Ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016,
 Equity Certificates   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
      

Capital
Equity
Certificates
 Nonpatronage
Equity
Certificates
 Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred
Stock
  Capital
Reserves
 Noncontrolling
Interests
 Total
Equities
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2015 (As previously reported)$3,793,897
 $23,057
 $282,928
 $2,167,540
 $(214,207) $1,604,670
 $11,526
 $7,669,411
Cumulative restatement adjustments

 

 

 

 1,370
 (119,237) (105) (117,972)
Balances, August 31, 2015 (As restated)3,793,897
 23,057
 282,928
 2,167,540
 (212,837) 1,485,433
 11,421
 7,551,439
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates(268,017)











 625,444




357,427
Distribution of 2015 patronage refunds375,506












 (627,246)



(251,740)
Redemptions of equities(22,948)
(143)
(820)





 





(23,911)
Equities issued23,258












 





23,258
Capital equity certificates exchanged for preferred stock(76,756) 

 

 76,756
 

 

 

 
Preferred stock dividends













 (122,824)



(122,824)
Other, net(1,248)
(20)
(341)
(164)


 2,401

2,988

3,616
Net income (loss)













 383,249

(223)
383,026
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax











1,307
 





1,307
Estimated 2016 patronage refunds153,579












 (257,458)



(103,879)
Estimated 2016 equity redemptions(58,560)











 





(58,560)
Balances, August 31, 2016 (As restated)3,918,711

22,894

281,767

2,244,132

(211,530) 1,488,999

14,186

7,759,159
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates(95,019)











 257,458




162,439
Distribution of 2016 patronage refunds153,589












 (257,468)



(103,879)
Redemptions of equities(35,041)
(389)
(1,960)





 





(37,390)
Equities issued3,194












 





3,194
Capital equity certificates redeemed with preferred stock(19,985) 

 

 19,960
 

 25
 

 
Preferred stock dividends













 (167,643)



(167,643)
Other, net(9,023) 7,331
 (753) (54)   1,178
 (1,047) (2,368)
Net income (loss)          71,592
 (634) 70,958
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax











31,170
 





31,170
Estimated 2017 patronage refunds





126,333






 (126,333)




Estimated 2017 equity redemptions(10,000)











 





(10,000)
Balances, August 31, 2017 (As restated)3,906,426

29,836

405,387

2,264,038

(180,360) 1,267,808

12,505

7,705,640
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates6,058




(126,333)





 126,333




6,058
Distribution of 2017 patronage refunds





128,831






 (128,831)




Redemptions of equities(6,064)
(185)
(476)





 





(6,725)
Preferred stock dividends













 (168,668)



(168,668)
Other, net(3,840) (153) (361) 

 

 2,792
 (2,458) (4,020)
Net income (loss)













 775,907

(601)
775,306
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax











7,437
 





7,437
Reclassification of tax effects to retained earnings

 

 

 

 (26,992) 26,992
 

 
Estimated 2018 patronage refunds





345,330






 (420,330)



(75,000)
Estimated 2018 equity redemptions(65,000)



(10,000)





 





(75,000)
Balances, August 31, 2018$3,837,580

$29,498

$742,378

$2,264,038

$(199,915) $1,482,003

$9,446

$8,165,028


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.



F-5

Table of ContentsContents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


 Years Ended August 31,
 202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$423,609 $828,057 $775,306 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:   
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred major maintenance550,251 541,507 539,736 
Equity (income) loss from investments, net of distributions received49,130 12,560 36,782 
Provision for doubtful accounts3,418 57,745 2,085 
Gain/recovery on disposal of business(1,450)(3,886)(131,816)
Deferred taxes(32,761)(13,852)(146,961)
Other, net(1,642)6,094 (3,699)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:   
Receivables308,399 (218,192)210,775 
Inventories104,884 284,694 (169,581)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(330,949)(38,229)(78,388)
Other, net14,340 (316,567)40,258 
Net cash provided by operating activities1,087,229 1,139,931 1,074,497 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(418,359)(443,216)(355,412)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment32,670 53,974 91,153 
Proceeds from sale of business1,139 5,044 234,914 
Expenditures for major maintenance(14,496)(232,094)(80,514)
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net119,591 (10,903)25,335 
Financing extended to customers(6,386)(12,210)(74,402)
Payments from customer financing35,791 90,193 52,453 
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired231 (119,421)
Other investing activities, net6,114 7,350 26,949 
Net cash used in investing activities(243,705)(661,283)(79,524)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term borrowings24,343,870 29,071,363 36,040,240 
Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations(24,948,926)(29,450,339)(36,525,136)
Preferred stock dividends paid(168,668)(168,668)(168,668)
Redemptions of equities(96,438)(85,540)(8,847)
Cash patronage dividends paid(90,115)(75,776)
Other financing activities, net29,129 (16,686)(69,759)
Net cash used in financing activities(931,148)(725,646)(732,170)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents4,942 2,733 8,864 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash(82,682)(244,265)271,667 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period299,675 543,940 272,273 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$216,993 $299,675 $543,940 
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest$119,354 $172,259 $148,874 
Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds6,840 19,918 13,410 
Other significant noncash investing and financing transactions:
Notes receivable reacquired under securitization facility615,089 
Trade receivables reacquired under securitization facility402,421 
Securitized debt reacquired under securitization facility634,000 
Deferred purchase price receivable extinguished under securitization facility386,900 
Capital expenditures and major maintenance incurred but not yet paid14,906 28,478 53,453 
Finance lease obligations incurred11,190 7,351 396 
Accrual of dividends and equities payable63,000 180,000 153,941 
Assets contributed to joint venture7,353 — 
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  
  
Net income (loss)$775,306
 $70,958
 $383,026
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
  
  
Depreciation and amortization478,050
 480,223
 447,492
Amortization of deferred major repair costs61,686
 67,058
 73,483
Equity (income) loss from investments(153,515) (137,338) (175,777)
Distributions from equity investments190,297
 213,352
 178,464
Provision for doubtful accounts2,085
 177,969
 57,200
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(131,816) 2,190
 
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability
 (15,051) (60,931)
Long-lived asset impairment, net of recoveries(10,352) 145,042
 27,247
Reserve against supplier advance payments
 130,705
 
Deferred taxes(146,961) (194,467) 28,190
Other, net6,653
 20,173
 (15,444)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
  
  
Receivables210,775
 146,788
 1,570
Inventories(169,581) (333,479) 353,572
Derivative assets(102,368) 114,023
 29,822
Margin and related deposits54,912
 97,804
 (30,705)
Supplier advance payments(39,189) (33,952) 43,415
Other current assets and other assets(13,450) (50,729) 128,603
Customer margin deposits and credit balances(20,518) (50,920) 20,841
Customer advance payments(14,682) (1,329) (7,079)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(78,388) 227,967
 (129,587)
Derivative liabilities132,495
 (132,423) 1,443
Other liabilities40,629
 (25,446) (94,291)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities1,072,068
 919,118
 1,260,554
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
  
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(355,412) (444,397) (692,780)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment91,153
 19,541
 13,417
Proceeds from sale of business234,914
 
 
Expenditures for major repairs(80,514) (2,340) (19,610)
Investments in joint ventures and other(21,679) (16,645) (2,855,218)
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net25,335
 322
 (209,902)
Financing extended to customers(74,402) (67,225) (82,302)
Payments from customer financing52,453
 88,154
 35,188
Other investing activities, net48,628
 17,549
 64,236
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(79,524) (405,041) (3,746,971)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
  
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings36,040,240
 37,295,236
 31,586,968
Payments on lines of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations(36,525,136) (37,584,011) (29,232,842)
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments
 
 (153,022)
Preferred stock dividends paid(168,668) (167,642) (163,324)
Redemptions of equities(8,847) (35,268) (23,911)
Cash patronage dividends paid
 (103,879) (251,740)
Other financing activities, net(69,759) (22,694) 52,067
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(732,170) (618,258) 1,814,196
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents8,864
 (4,713) (5,223)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents269,238
 (108,894) (677,444)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period181,379
 290,273
 967,717
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$450,617
 $181,379
 $290,273

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.



F-6

Table of ContentsContents



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note 1        Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies


Organization


CHS Inc. ("CHS", "the Company", "we",(referred to herein as "CHS," "we," "us", or "our") is the nation’s leading integrated agricultural cooperative. As a cooperative, CHS is owned by farmers and ranchers and their member cooperatives ("members") across the United States. We also have preferred stockholdersshareholders that own shares of our various series of preferred stock, which are each listed and traded on the Global Select Market of theThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("The Nasdaq"). See Note 10, 12, Equities, for more detailed information.


We buy commodities from and provide products and services to individual agricultural producers, local cooperatives and other companies (including member and other non-membernonmember customers), both domestic and international. Those products and services include initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrients and crop protection products; as well as agricultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, grain and oilseed processing and food products, and ethanol production and marketing. A portion of our operations are conducted through equity investments and joint ventures whose operating results are not fully consolidated with our results; rather, a proportionate share of the income or loss from those entities is included as a component in our net income under the equity method of accounting.


Basis of Presentation


The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all wholly-owned and majority-ownedour subsidiaries and limited liability companies.companies in which we have a controlling interest. The effects of all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.


As described in Note 2, Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements the consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, have been restated to reflect the correction of misstatements to the consolidated financial statements. We have also restated all amounts impacted within the Notes to the consolidated financial statements.

Over the course of fiscal 2017, we incurred charges related to a trading partner of ours in Brazil, which entered into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law; intangible and fixed asset impairment charges associated with certain assets meeting the criteria to be classified as held for sale; fixed asset impairment charges due to the cancellation of a capital project at one of our refineries; and bad debt/loan loss reserve charges relating to a single large producer borrower. Charges and impairments of this nature, as well as any recoveries related to amounts previously reserved, are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in the line item, "reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net" for the twelve months ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016. The timing and amounts of these charges and impairments, and any recoveries were determined utilizing facts and circumstances that were present in the respective years in which the charges, impairments or recoveries were recorded. See additional information related to the reserves and impairment charges in Note 3, Receivables, Note 6, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Note 7, Other Assets.

The notes to our consolidated financial statements refer to our Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production reportable segments, as well as our Corporate and Other category, which represents an aggregation of individually immaterial operating segments. The Nitrogen Production reportable segment resultedresults from our investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC ("CF Nitrogen") in February 2016. Our investment in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods") is no longer a significant operating segment and is now included in our Corporate and Other category.. See Note 12, 14, Segment Reporting, for more information.


Certain captions within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been combined within other captions as allowed by Securities and Exchange Commission financial statement reporting requirements under Regulation S-X. Prior year information has been updated to conform with the current presentation.

Use of Estimates


The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis.



Significant Accounting Policies
F-7

Table of Contents

Significant accounting policies are summarized below or within the related notes to our consolidated financial statements.


Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash


Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value due to the short-term nature of the instruments.


    Restricted cash is included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets within other current assets (current portion) and other assets (noncurrent portion), as appropriate, and primarily relates to customer deposits for futures and option contracts associated with regulated commodities held in separate accounts as required under federal and other regulations. Pursuant to the
F-7

Table of Contents

requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act, such funds must be carried in separate accounts that are designated as segregated customer accounts, as applicable. Restricted cash also includes funds held in escrow pursuant to applicable regulations limiting their usage.

    The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheets that aggregates to the amount presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
August 31,
202020192018
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$140,874 $211,179 $450,617 
Restricted cash included in other current assets76,119 88,496 90,193 
Restricted cash included in other assets3,130 
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash$216,993 $299,675 $543,940 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Except for the recent accounting pronouncements described below, other recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Adopted

    We adopted Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842, Leases ("ASC Topic 842"), as of September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we used the additional optional transition method and package of practical expedients in the period of adoption without retrospective adjustment to previous periods presented, although we elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient available under the standard. As a result of using the modified retrospective method, prior periods have not been restated, and a $25.3 million cumulative-effect adjustment, including the deferred income tax impact, was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition of previously deferred gains associated with the sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Additionally, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities of $268.4 million and $267.0 million, respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Operations or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additional information and further disclosures related to our leases and lease-related financial statement amounts are included within Note 19, Leases.

Not Yet Adopted

    In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC Topic 326"): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU introduce a new approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. This ASU is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses associated with most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Entities are required to apply the provisions of this ASU as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of capital reserves as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2020, for our fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Based on various data-gathering activities, development of a credit losses model, data analyses and accounting policy election determinations, the impact of adoption is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 2        Revenues

We provide a wide variety of products and services, from agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies and agronomy products, to agricultural outputs that include grain and oilseed, processed grains and oilseeds and food products, and renewable fuels production and marketing. We primarily conduct our operations and derive revenues within our Energy and Ag segments. Our Energy segment derives its revenues through refining, wholesaling and retailing of petroleum products. Our Ag segment derives its revenues through origination and marketing of grain, including service activities conducted at export terminals; through wholesale sales of agronomy products and processed sunflowers; from sales of soybean meal, soybean refined oil and soyflour products; through production and marketing of renewable fuels; and through retail sales of petroleum
F-8

Table of Contents

and agronomy products, and feed and farm supplies. Corporate and Other primarily consists of our financing and hedging businesses.

    Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied, which generally occurs when control of the goods has transferred to customers in accordance with the underlying contract. For the majority of our contracts with customers, control transfers to customers at a point in time when goods/services have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of ownership of the goods/services transfer to the customer. In limited arrangements, control transfers over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the service as we complete our performance obligation(s). Revenue is recognized as the transaction price we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties. For physically settled derivative sales contracts that are outside the scope of the revenue guidance, we recognize revenue when control of the inventory is transferred within the meaning of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"). Revenues arising from our financing business are recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 470, Debt ("ASC Topic 470"), and fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606.

Shipping and Handling Costs

    Shipping and handling amounts billed to a customer as part of a sales transaction are included in revenues, and the related costs are included in cost of goods sold. Shipping and handling is treated as a fulfillment activity rather than a promised service, and therefore is not considered a separate performance obligation.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities
    Revenues are recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant government authority.

Contract Costs

    Commissions related to contracts with a duration of less than one year are expensed as incurred. We recognize incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.

Disaggregation of Revenues

    The following table presents revenues recognized under ASC Topic 606 disaggregated by reportable segment, as well as the amount of revenues recognized under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC Topic 815"), and other applicable accounting guidance for the year ended August 31, 2020 and 2019. Other applicable accounting guidance primarily includes revenues recognized under ASC Topic 842 and ASC Topic 470 that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606.
Year Ended August 31, 2020
Reportable Segment*ASC Topic 606ASC Topic 815Other GuidanceTotal Revenues
(Dollars in thousands)
Energy$4,833,003 $598,131 $$5,431,134 
Ag5,963,198 16,901,258 61,643 22,926,099 
Corporate and Other22,903 26,229 49,132 
Total revenues$10,819,104 $17,499,389 $87,872 $28,406,365 
Year Ended August 31, 2019
Reportable Segment*ASC Topic 606ASC Topic 815Other GuidanceTotal Revenues
(Dollars in thousands)
Energy$6,393,075 $726,001 $$7,119,076 
Ag6,319,304 18,268,977 131,791 24,720,072 
Corporate and Other20,262 41,043 61,305 
Total revenues$12,732,641 $18,994,978 $172,834 $31,900,453 
*Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.
F-9

Table of Contents

    Less than 1% of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606 included within the table above are recorded over time and relate primarily to service contracts.

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities

    Contract assets relate to unbilled amounts arising from goods that have already been transferred to the customer where the right to payment is not conditional on the passage of time. This results in the recognition of an asset, as the amount of revenue recognized at a certain point in time exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Contract assets are recorded in accounts receivable within our Consolidated Balance Sheets and were immaterial as of August 31, 2020 and 2019.

    Contract liabilities relate to advance payments from customers for goods and services that we have yet to provide. Contract liabilities of $139.1 million and $207.5 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, are recorded within other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized revenues of $194.8 million and $170.7 million, respectively, which were included in the other current liabilities balance at the beginning of the period.

Note 3        Receivables

    Receivables as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Trade accounts receivable$1,476,585 $1,803,284 
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable563,934 592,909 
Other491,068 511,821 
Gross receivables2,531,587 2,908,014 
Less allowances and reserves165,540 176,805 
Total receivables $2,366,047 $2,731,209 

Trade Accounts Receivable

    Trade accounts receivable are initially recorded at a selling price that approximates fair value upon the sale of goods or services to customers. Subsequently, trade accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, level of past due accounts and our relationships with and the economic status of our customers. Receivables from related parties are disclosed in Note 18, Related Party Transactions. No third-party customer accounted for more than 10% of the total receivables balance as of August 31, 2020 or 2019.

CHS Capital Notes Receivable

Notes Receivable

    CHS Capital, LLC ("CHS Capital"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, has short-term notes receivable from commercial and producer borrowers. The short-term notes receivable have maturity terms of 12 months or less and are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, adjusted for the allowance of loan losses, as CHS Capital has the intent and ability to hold the applicable loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off. The carrying value of CHS Capital short-term notes receivable approximates fair value given the notes' short-term duration and use of market pricing adjusted for risk.

    Notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of certain regional cooperative's capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of North Dakota and Minnesota. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers that are collateralized by various combinations of growing crops, livestock, inventories, accounts receivable, personal property and supplemental mortgages and are originated in the same states as the commercial notes.

    In addition to the short-term balances included in the table above, CHS Capital had long-term notes receivable, with durations of generally not more than 10 years, totaling $101.5 million and $180.0 million at August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31,
F-10

Table of Contents

2020 and 2019, commercial notes represented 33% and 41%, respectively, and producer notes represented 67% and 59%, respectively, of total CHS Capital notes receivable.

    CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of any contractually established conditions. As of August 31, 2020, CHS Capital customers had additional available credit of $714.5 million.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Impairments

    CHS Capital maintains an allowance for loan losses that is an estimate of potential incurred losses inherent in the loans receivable portfolio. In accordance with FASB ASC 450-20, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, and ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, the allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component is based on historical loss experience and qualitative factors addressing operational risks and industry trends. The specific component relates to loans receivable that are classified as impaired. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are reflected within marketing, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The portion of loans receivable deemed uncollectible is charged off against the allowance. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts increase the allowance for loan losses. No significant amounts of CHS Capital notes were past due as of August 31, 2020 or 2019, and specific and general loan loss reserves related to CHS Capital notes were 0t material as of either date.

Interest Income

Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using a method that computes simple interest on a daily basis. Accrual of interest on commercial loans receivable is discontinued at the time the receivable is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-collateralized and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Producer loans receivable are placed in nonaccrual status based on estimates and analysis due to the annual debt service terms inherent to CHS Capital's producer loans. In all cases, loans are placed in nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Troubled Debt Restructurings

    Restructuring of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, or restructured loan, if the creditor for economic reasons related to the debtor's financial difficulties grants a concession to the debtor that it would otherwise not consider. Concessions vary by program and borrower. Concessions may include interest rate reductions, term extensions, payment deferrals or the acceptance of additional collateral in lieu of payments. In limited circumstances, principal may be forgiven. When a restructured loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, CHS includes these loans within its impaired loans. CHS Capital had no significant troubled debt restructurings and no third-party borrowers that accounted for more than 10% of the total CHS Capital notes receivable or total receivables as of August 31, 2020 or 2019.

Loan Participations

    For the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, CHS Capital sold $70.6 million and $92.3 million of notes receivable, respectively, to various counterparties under a master participation agreement. The sale resulted in the removal of notes receivable from the Consolidated Balance Sheet. CHS Capital has no retained interests in the transferred notes receivable, other than collection and administrative services. Proceeds from sales of notes receivable have been included in investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Fees received related to the servicing of notes receivable are recorded in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We consider the fees received adequate compensation for services rendered and, accordingly, have recorded no servicing asset or liability.

Other Receivables

    Other receivables are comprised of certain other amounts recorded in the normal course of business, including receivables related to vendor rebates, value-added taxes, certain financing receivables and pre-crop financing, primarily to Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of supplier production costs. We receive volume-based rebates from certain vendors during the year. These vendor rebates are accounted for in accordance with ASC 705, Cost of Sales and Services, based on the terms of the volume rebate program. For rebates thatmeet the definition of a binding arrangement and are both probable and estimable, we estimate the amount of the rebate we will receive and accrue it as a reduction of the cost of inventory and cost of goods sold over the period in which the rebate is earned. For pre-crop financing arrangements, we do not bear costs or operational risks associated with the related growing crops, although our ability to be paid depends on the crops actually being produced. The financing is collateralized by future crops, land and physical assets of the suppliers, carries a local market
F-11

Table of Contents

interest rate and settles when the farmer's crop is harvested and sold. No significant troubled debt restructurings occurred and no third-party customer or borrower accounted for more than 10% of the total receivables balance as of August 31, 2020 or 2019.

Note 4        Inventories


    Inventories as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Grain and oilseed$1,064,079 $1,024,645 
Energy696,858 717,378 
Agronomy822,535 954,037 
Processed grain and oilseed126,022 109,900 
Other32,644 48,328 
Total inventories$2,742,138 $2,854,288 

Grain, processed grain, oilseed, processed oilseed and other minimally processed soy-based inventories are stated at net realizable value. These inventories are agricultural commodity inventories that are readily convertible to cash because of their commodity characteristics, widely available markets and international pricing mechanisms. Agricultural commodity inventories have quoted market prices in active markets, may be sold without significant further processing and have predictable and insignificant disposal costs. Changes in the net realizable value of merchandisable agricultural commodities inventories are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold.


All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs for inventories produced or modified by us through a manufacturing process include fixed and variable production and raw material costs, and in-bound freight costs for raw materials. Costs for inventories purchased for resale include the cost of products and freight incurred to place the products at our points of sale. The costs of certain energy inventories (wholesale refined products, crude oil and asphalt) are determined on the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method; all other inventories of non-grainnongrain products purchased for resale are valued on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") and average cost methods.


Derivative Financial InstrumentsAs of August 31, 2020 and Hedging Activities

We enter into various derivative instruments to manage2019, we valued approximately 16% of inventories, primarily crude oil and refined fuels within our exposure to movements primarilyEnergy segment, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or net realizable value. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $93.5 million and $215.0 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we experienced price declines in our energy inventories associated with agricultural commodity prices and tothe COVID-19 pandemic. As a lesser degree, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Except for certain interest rate swap contracts, which are accounted for as cash flow hedgesresult, we recorded a noncash, lower of cost or fair value hedges, our derivative instruments represent economic hedgesmarket charge of price risk for which hedge accounting under Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, is not applied. Rather, the derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes$42.0 million in fair value being recorded directly to earnings, primarily within cost of goods sold into reduce the carrying value of our Consolidated Statementsenergy inventories to their market value as of Operations. See May 31, 2020. Based upon market prices observed as of August 31, 2020, the lower of cost or market reserve was decreased by approximately $34.0 million as prices improved while inventories were sold.

Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments5        Other Current Assets

Other current assets as of August 31, 2020 and Hedging Activities and Note 14, Fair Value Measurements for additional information.2019, are as follows:

20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative assets (Note 15)$371,195 $253,341 
Margin and related deposits194,097 155,306 
Supplier advance payments198,699 197,290 
Other253,497 259,982 
Total other current assets$1,017,488 $865,919 
Although we have certain netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter ("OTC") contracts, we have elected to report our derivative instruments on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting.


Margin and Related Deposits


Many of our derivative contracts with futures and options brokers require us to make margin deposits of cash or other assets. Subsequent margin deposits may also be necessary when changes in commodity prices result in a loss on the contract value to comply with applicable regulations. Our margin and related deposit assets are generally held by external brokers in segregated accounts to
F-12

Table of Contents

support the associated derivative contracts and may be used to fund or partially fund the settlement of those contracts as they expire. Similar to our derivative financial instruments, margin and related deposits are also reported on a gross basis.


Supplier Advance Payments and Rebates


Supplier advance payments are typically for periods less than 12 months and primarily include amounts paid for grain purchases from suppliers and amounts paid to crop nutrient and crop protection product suppliers to lock in future supply and pricing.


We receive volume-based rebates from certain vendors during the year. These vendor rebates are accounted for in accordance with ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, based on the terms of the volume rebate program. For those rebates whichmeet the definition of a binding arrangement and are both probable and estimable, we estimate the amount of the rebate we will receive and accrue it as a reduction of the cost of inventory over the period in which the rebate is earned.

F-8

Table of Contents



Investments

The equity method of accounting is used for joint ventures and other investments in which we are able to exercise significant influence over the entity’s operations, but do not have a controlling interest in the entity. Various factors are considered when assessing significant influence, including our ownership interest, representation on the Board of Directors, voting rights, and the impact of commercial arrangements that may exist with the entity. Our equity in the income or loss of these equity method investments is recorded within equity (income) loss from investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We account for our investment in CF Nitrogen, LLC using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method which is discussed further inNote 5, Investments.

The cost method of accounting is used for other investments in which we do not exercise significant influence. Investments in other cooperatives are stated at cost, plus patronage dividends received in the form of capital stock and other equities. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold at the time qualified written notices of allocation are received.

Investments in other debt and equity securities are classified as available-for-sale financial instruments and are stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments in debt and equity instruments are carried at amounts that approximate fair values.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method by charges to operations at rates based on the expected useful lives of individual or groups of assets (generally 15 to 20 years for land improvements; 20 to 40 years for buildings; 5 to 20 years for machinery and equipment; and 3 to 10 years for office equipment and other). Expenditures for maintenance and minor repairs and renewals are expensed, while the costs for major maintenance activities are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period estimated to lapse until the next major maintenance activity occurs. We also capitalize and amortize eligible costs to acquire or develop internal-use software that are incurred during the application development stage. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the related accounts and resulting gains or losses are reflected in operations.

Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. This evaluation of recoverability is based on various indicators, including the nature, future economic benefits and geographic locations of the assets, historical or future profitability measures, and other external market conditions. If these indicators suggest that the carrying amounts of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable, potential impairment is evaluated using undiscounted estimated future cash flows. Should the sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured at the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.

We have asset retirement obligations with respect to certain of our refineries and other assets due to various legal obligations to clean and/or dispose of the component parts at the time they are retired. In most cases, these assets can be used for extended and indeterminate periods of time if they are properly maintained and/or upgraded. It is our practice and current intent to maintain refineries and related assets and to continue making improvements to those assets based on technological advances. As a result, we believe our refineries and related assets have indeterminate lives for purposes of estimating asset retirement obligations because dates or ranges of dates upon which we would retire a refinery and related assets cannot reasonably be estimated at this time. When a date or range of dates can reasonably be estimated for the retirement of any component part of a refinery or other asset, we estimate the cost of performing the retirement activities and record a liability for the fair value of that future cost.

We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject to lessor discretion for which we have recorded asset retirement obligations. Based on our estimates of the timing, cost and probability of removal, these obligations are not material.


F-9

Table of Contents


Major Maintenance Activities

Within our Energy segment, major maintenance activities (“turnarounds”) are performed at our Laurel, Montana and McPherson, Kansas refineries regularly. Turnarounds are the planned and required shutdowns of refinery processing units, which include the replacement or overhaul of equipment that have experienced decreased efficiency in resource conversion. Because turnarounds are performed to extend the life, increase the capacity, and/or improve the safety or efficiency of refinery processing assets, we follow the deferral method of accounting for turnarounds. Expenditures for turnarounds are capitalized (deferred) when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of 2 to 4 years, which is the estimated time lapse between turnarounds. Should the estimated period between turnarounds change, we may be required to amortize the remaining cost of the turnaround over a shorter period, which would result in higher depreciation and amortization costs. Capitalized turnaround costs are included in other assets (long-term) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortization expense related to the capitalized turnaround costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing the turnaround costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of the turnaround expenditures. The deferral method also results in the classification of the related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities. Repair, maintenance and related labor costs are expensed as incurred and are included in operating cash flows.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets are included in other assets (long-term) on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis as of July 31, or more frequently if triggering events or other circumstances occur which could indicate impairment. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which has been determined to be our operating segments or one level below our operating segments in certain instances.

Other intangible assets consist primarily of customer lists, trademarks and non-compete agreements. Intangible assets subject to amortization are expensed over their respective useful lives, which generally range from 2 to 30 years. We have no material intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. See Note 7, Other Assets for more information on goodwill and other intangible assets.

Revenue Recognition

We provide a wide variety of products and services, ranging from agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies and crop nutrients, to agricultural outputs that include grain and oilseed, processed grains and oilseeds and food products, and ethanol production and marketing. We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Sales are generally recognized upon transfer of title, which could occur either upon shipment to or receipt by the customer, depending upon the terms of the transaction. Shipping and handling amounts billed to a customer as part of a sales transaction are included in revenues, and the related costs are included in cost of goods sold.

Environmental Expenditures

We are subject to various federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Environmental expenditures are expensed or capitalized depending on their future economic benefit. Liabilities, including legal costs, related to remediation of contaminated properties are recognized when the related costs are considered probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of environmental costs are based on current available facts, existing technology, undiscounted site-specific costs and currently enacted laws and regulations. Recoveries, if any, are recorded in the period in which recovery is received. Liabilities are monitored and adjusted as new facts or changes in law or technology occur.

Income Taxes

CHS is a nonexempt agricultural cooperative and files a consolidated federal income tax return within our tax return period. We are subject to tax on income from nonpatronage sources, non-qualified patronage distributions and undistributed patronage-sourced income. Income tax expense is primarily the current tax payable for the period and the change during the period in certain deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for federal and

F-10

Table of Contents


state income tax purposes, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Reserves are recorded against unrecognized tax benefits when we believe that certain fully supportable tax return positions are likely to be challenged and that we may or may not prevail. If we determine that a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, based on the technical merits of the position, we recognize the benefit by measuring the amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. We reevaluate the technical merits of our tax positions and recognize an uncertain tax benefit, or derecognize a previously recorded tax benefit, when there is (i) a completion of a tax audit, (ii) effective settlement of an issue, (iii) a change in applicable tax law including a tax case or legislative guidance, or (iv) the expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. Significant judgment is required in accounting for tax reserves.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

In March 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2018-05, Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118. This ASU provides guidance on the income tax accounting implications of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the "Tax Act") and allows for entities to report provisional amounts for specific income tax effects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC Topic 740 was not yet complete, but a reasonable estimate could be determined. A measurement period of one year is available to complete the accounting effects under ASC Topic 740 and revise any previous estimates reported. Any provisional amounts or subsequent adjustments included in an entity’s financial statements during the measurement period should be included in income from continuing operations as an adjustment to tax expense in the reporting period the amounts are determined. As of August 31, 2018, we have not finalized our work associated with the income tax effects of the enactment of the Tax Act, however, a reasonable estimate was provisionally recorded as a net benefit of $155.2 million from the revaluation of our U.S. net deferred tax liability that resulted from the reduced corporate tax rate and CHS being subject to the employee compensation deduction limitations imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). Under existing U.S. GAAP, the effects of changes in tax rates and laws on deferred tax balances are recorded as a component of income tax expense in the period in which the law was enacted. When deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income are adjusted, certain tax effects become stranded in accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 allow a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act. The amendments in this ASU also require certain disclosures about stranded tax effects. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2019, for our fiscal year 2020 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption in any period is permitted. The Company’s provisional adjustments recorded to account for the impact of the Tax Act resulted in stranded tax effects. We elected to early adopt ASU No. 2018-02 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption resulted in a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings in the amount of $27.0 million for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. This ASU is intended to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better represent the economic results of an entity’s risk management activities in its financial statements and make certain improvements to simplify the application of the hedge accounting guidance. The amendments in this ASU will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting, amend the presentation and disclosure requirements and change how entities assess effectiveness. Entities are required to apply this ASU's provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2019, for our fiscal year 2020 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. We elected to early adopt ASU No. 2017-12 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740). This ASU is intended to improve the accounting for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory by requiring an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when a transfer occurs, instead of when an asset is sold to an outside party. This ASU is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017; however, early adoption of this ASU is permitted during the first interim period if an entity issues interim financial statements. The amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment

F-11

Table of Contents


directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. We elected to early adopt ASU No. 2016-16 during the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Not Yet Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which amends ASC 715-20, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing and adding certain disclosures for these plans. The eliminated disclosures include (a) the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income expected to be recognized in net periodic benefit costs over the next fiscal year and (b) the effects of a one-percentage-point change in assumed health care cost trend rates on the net periodic benefit costs and the benefit obligation for postretirement health care benefits. The new disclosures include the interest crediting rates for cash balance plans and an explanation of significant gains and losses related to changes in benefit obligations. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2021, for our fiscal year 2022 and for interim periods within that fiscal year, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this amended guidance in not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which amends ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying and adding certain disclosures. Specifically, the guidance removes the requirement to disclose the amount and reasons for any transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and removes the requirement to disclose a description of the valuation processes used to value Level 3 fair value measurements. The guidance also requires additional disclosures surrounding Level 3 changes in unrealized gains/losses included in other comprehensive income as well the range and weighted average significant unobservable inputs calculation. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2020, for our fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted. We elected to remove the disclosures permitted by ASU No. 2018-13 during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 but have not early adopted the new required additional disclosures, which is permitted by the guidance. The adoption of this amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Costs and Net Postretirement Benefit Cost. This ASU changes the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. This ASU provides that the service cost component should be included in the same income statement line item as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the employees during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost should be presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations separately outside of operating income if that subtotal is presented. Additionally, only service cost may be capitalized in assets. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2018, for our fiscal year 2019 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which interim financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. The guidance on the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the Consolidated Statement of Operations should be applied retrospectively and the guidance regarding the capitalization of the service cost component in assets should be applied prospectively. The adoption of this amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The amendments within this ASU narrow the existing definition of a business and provide a more robust framework for evaluating whether a transaction should be accounted for as an acquisition (or disposal) of assets or a business. The definition of a business impacts various areas of accounting, including acquisitions, disposals and goodwill. Under the new guidance, fewer acquisitions are expected to be considered businesses. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2018, for our fiscal year 2019 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, and the guidance should be applied prospectively to transactions following the adoption date. The adoption of this amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU is intended to reduce diversity in practice by adding or clarifying guidance on classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2018, for our fiscal year 2019 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. Early adoption is permitted, including in an interim period. The amendments in this ASU should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of this amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.


F-12

Table of Contents


In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. This ASU is intended to reduce existing diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and payments are presented and classified in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2018, for our fiscal year 2019 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The adoption of this amended guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU introduce a new approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. This ASU is intended to provide financial statementusers with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses associated with most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases, and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Entities are required to apply this ASU’s provisions as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This ASU is effective for us beginning September1, 2020, for our fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which replaces the existing guidance in ASC 840 - Leases. The amendments within this ASU, as well as within additional clarifying ASUs issued by the FASB,
introduce a lessee model requiring entities to recognize assets and liabilities for most leases, but continue recognizing the associated expenses in a manner similar to existing accounting guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, which amends ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2019, for our fiscal year 2020 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. We have initiated our assessment of the new lease standard, including the utilization of surveys to gather more information about existing leases and the implementation of a new lease software to improve the collection, maintenance, and aggregation of lease data necessary for the expanded reporting and disclosure requirements under the new lease standard. It is expected that the primary impact upon adoption will be the recognition, on a discounted basis, of our minimum commitments under noncancelable operating leases as right of use assets and liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. This will result in a significant increase in assets and liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Although we expect the new lease guidance to have a material impact on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, we are continuing to evaluate the practical expedient guidance provisions available and the extent of potential impacts on our consolidated financial statements, processes, and internal controls.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments within this ASU, as well as within additional clarifying ASUs issued by the FASB, provide a single comprehensive model to be used in the accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance includes a five-step model for the recognition of revenue, including (1) identifying the contract with a customer, (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract, (3) determining the transaction price, (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations, and (5) recognizing revenue when (or as) an entity satisfies a performance obligation. The adoption of the new revenue recognition guidance will require expanded disclosures in our consolidated financial statements including quantitative disclosure of revenues that fall within and outside the scope of the new revenue recognition guidance. Certain revenue streams are expected to fall within the scope of the new revenue recognition guidance; however, a substantial portion of our revenue falls outside the scope of the new revenue recognition guidance and will continue to follow existing guidance, primarily ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. We have completed an initial assessment of our revenue streams and do not believe that the new revenue recognition guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We will adopt ASU No. 2014-09 and the related ASUs using the modified retrospective method on September 1, 2018, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019.

Note 2        Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements6        Investments

The consolidated financial statements for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016, have been restated to reflect the correction of misstatements. We have also restated all amounts impacted within the Notes to the consolidated financial statements. A description of the adjustments and their impact on the previously issued financial statements are included below.
    
Descriptions of Restatement Adjustments
Restatement Background
During the preparation of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, we noted potentially excessive valuations in the net derivative asset valuations relating to certain rail freight contracts purchased in connection with our North American grain marketing operations. An investigation concluded that the rail freight misstatements included in our

F-13

Table of Contents


consolidated financial statements for the periods identified below were due to intentional misconduct by a former employee in our rail freight trading operations, as well as due to rail freight contracts and certain non-rail contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as a derivative financial instrument. The misconduct consisted of the former employee manipulating the mark-to-market valuation of rail cars that were the subject of rail freight purchase contracts and manipulating the quantity of rail cars included in the monthly mark-to-market valuation. In addition, the investigation revealed intentional misstatements were made by the former employee to our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with its audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2017. During the course of, and as a result of, the investigation, we terminated the former employee and have taken additional personnel actions.

As a result of the misstatements, we have restated our consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended August 31, 2017, and for the year ended August 31, 2016, in accordance with ASC 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (the "Restated Financial Statements"). In addition to the adjustments related to freight derivatives and related misstatements, we also made adjustments related to certain intercompany balances and other historical misstatements unrelated to the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

The restated interim financial information for the relevant unaudited interim financial statements for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2017, is included in Note 18, Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited).
The categories of restatement adjustments and their impact on previously reported consolidated financial statements are described below.
(a) Freight Derivatives and Related Misstatements - Corrections for freight derivatives and related misstatements were driven by the misstatement of amounts associated with both the value and quantity of rail freight contracts, as well as due to rail freight contracts and certain non-rail freight contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. In addition to the elimination of the underlying freight derivative assets and liabilities and related impacts on revenues and cost of goods sold, additional adjustments were recorded to account for prepaid freight capacity balances in relevant periods and the impact of a goodwill impairment charge recorded as of May 31, 2015, for goodwill held within our grain marketing reporting unit. Additional details related to the impact of the freight derivatives and related misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (a).

(b) Intercompany Misstatements - As a result of the work performed in relation to the freight misstatement, additional misstatements related to the incorrect elimination of intercompany balances were also identified and corrected within the consolidated financial statements. Certain of these intercompany misstatements resulted in a misstatement of various financial statement line items; however, the intercompany misstatements did not result in a material misstatement of income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss). Additional details related to the impact of the intercompany misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (b).

(c) Other Misstatements - We made adjustments for other previously identified misstatements unrelated to the freight derivatives and related misstatements that were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. These other misstatements related primarily to certain misclassifications, adjustments to revenues and cost of goods sold, and adjustments to various income tax and indirect tax accrual accounts. Additional details related to the impact of the other misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (c).

F-14

Table of Contents


Summary impact of restatement adjustments to previously reported financial information
The following tables present the summary impacts of the restatement adjustments on our previously reported consolidated capital reserves and total equities at August 31, 2015, and income (loss) before income taxes and net income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2017 and 2016:
 August 31, 2015
 Capital Reserves Total Equities
 (Dollars in thousands)
As previously reported$1,604,670
 $7,669,411
   Cumulative restatement adjustments(119,237) (117,972)
As restated$1,485,433
 $7,551,439

 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes - As previously reported$(54,852) $419,878
   Restatement adjustments(55,314) (17,753)
Income (loss) before income taxes - As restated$(110,166) $402,125
    
Net income (loss) - As previously reported$127,223
 $423,969
   Restatement adjustments(56,265) (40,943)
Net income (loss) - As restated$70,958
 $383,026

Reclassifications

Amounts previously included within (gain) loss on investments were reclassified into other (income) loss to conform to the current year presentation. This reclassification had no impact on our previously reported net income, cash flows or shareholders' equity and represents a reclassification of $4.6 million and $9.3 million for the periods ended August 31, 2017, and August 31, 2016, respectively.

Consolidated financial statement adjustment tables
The following tables present the restatement adjustments to previously issued consolidated financial statements, including the previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2017, and the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Comprehensive Income and Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 2017, and 2016. The corrections of misstatements affecting fiscal years prior to fiscal 2017 are reflected as a cumulative adjustment to the balance of capital reserves and accumulated other comprehensive income as of August 31, 2015, on the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity.

F-15

Table of Contents



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 As of August 31, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS       
Current assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents$181,379
 $
 $181,379
  
Receivables1,869,632
 22,536
 1,892,168
 c
Inventories2,576,585
 25,019
 2,601,604
 c
Derivative assets232,017
 (13,275) 218,742
 a
Margin and related deposits206,062
 
 206,062
  
Supplier advance payments249,234
 
 249,234
  
Other current assets299,618
 (17,693) 281,925
 a, c
Total current assets5,614,527
 16,587
 5,631,114
  
Investments3,750,993
 
 3,750,993
  
Property, plant and equipment5,356,434
 
 5,356,434
  
Other assets1,251,802
 (171,421) 1,080,381
 a
Total assets$15,973,756
 $(154,834) $15,818,922
  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES       
Current liabilities:       
Notes payable$1,988,215
 $(3,052) $1,985,163
 c
Current portion of long-term debt156,345
 
 156,345
  
Customer margin deposits and credit balances157,914
 
 157,914
  
Customer advance payments413,163
 10,607
 423,770
 c
Accounts payable1,951,292
 40,002
 1,991,294
 c
Derivative liabilities316,018
 (15,072) 300,946
 a
Accrued expenses437,527
 17,469
 454,996
 a, c
Dividends and equities payable12,121
 
 12,121
  
Total current liabilities5,432,595
 49,954
 5,482,549
  
Long-term debt2,023,448
 
 2,023,448
  
Long-term deferred tax liabilities333,221
 (3,241) 329,980
 a, c
Other liabilities278,667
 (1,362) 277,305
 a
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

  
Equities:       
Preferred stock2,264,038
 
 2,264,038
  
Equity certificates4,341,649
 
 4,341,649
  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(183,670) 3,310
 (180,360) a, c
Capital reserves1,471,217
 (203,409) 1,267,808
 a, c
Total CHS Inc. equities7,893,234
 (200,099) 7,693,135
  
Noncontrolling interests12,591
 (86) 12,505
 a
Total equities7,905,825
 (200,185) 7,705,640
  
Total liabilities and equities$15,973,756
 $(154,834) $15,818,922
  


F-16

Table of Contents


As of August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $174.1 million reduction of total assets, a $39.1 million reduction of current liabilities, a $27.5 million increase of long-term liabilities, and a $162.4 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $156.0 million of long-term derivative assets, an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill which was triggered by the lower earnings associated with this restatement with the impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015 and the elimination of $12.9 million of current derivative assets that had been recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The decreases of total assets were partially offset by related adjustments, including an $8.9 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $1.5 million prepaid freight capacity balance. The decrease of total current liabilities related primarily to an $18.0 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $21.1 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from a $28.9 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities, which was partially offset by a $1.4 million reduction of long-term derivative liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of certain income tax adjustments on prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. The misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the impact of income tax adjustments resulted in a $19.3 million increase of total assets, an $89.1 million increase of current liabilities, a $32.1 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $37.7 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a $49.2 million increase of inventory with a corresponding increase to accounts payable that resulted from a misclassification adjustment for certain items previously included within a contra-inventory account to accounts payable. The increased inventories were partially offset by a $24.1 million misclassification adjustment to decrease inventory and increase accounts receivable as a result of a timing difference related to the settlement of a single ocean vessel. The increase of total assets was partially offset by a $28.1 million decrease of prepaid income taxes associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2017 and other periods.

The increase of current liabilities related primarily to the $49.2 million increase of accounts payable as a result of a misclassification adjustment for certain items previously included within a contra-inventory account to accounts payable and a $38.6 million increase of accrued expenses. The increase of accrued expenses primarily resulted from the recognition of a $24.9 million accrued income tax balance associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2017 and other periods. Additionally, $13.7 million of accrued expenses were recorded in relation to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The decrease of long-term liabilities related to a $32.1 million decrease of long-term deferred tax liabilities that arose from the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2017 and other periods.

The $37.7 million decrease of total equities was primarily related to the $20.6 million net impact on income tax accounts and the recognition of $13.7 million of additional accrued expenses due to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018.

F-17

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 For the Year Ended August 31, 2017 For the Year Ended August 31, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$31,934,751
 $102,675
 $32,037,426
 $30,347,203
 $8,057
 $30,355,260
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold30,985,510
 157,256
 31,142,766
 29,387,910
 (1,395) 29,386,515
 a, b, c
Gross profit949,241
 (54,581) 894,660
 959,293
 9,452
 968,745
  
Marketing, general and administrative604,359
 7,648
 612,007
 601,261
 5
 601,266
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net456,679
 
 456,679
 47,836
 27,200
 75,036
 c
Operating earnings (loss)(111,797) (62,229) (174,026) 310,196
 (17,753) 292,443
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 2,190
 2,190
 
 
 
 c
Interest expense171,239
 
 171,239
 113,704
 
 113,704
  
Other (income) loss(90,846) (9,105) (99,951) (47,609) 
 (47,609) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(137,338) 
 (137,338) (175,777) 
 (175,777)  
Income (loss) before income taxes(54,852) (55,314) (110,166) 419,878
 (17,753) 402,125
  
Income tax expense (benefit)(182,075) 951
 (181,124) (4,091) 23,190
 19,099
 a, c
Net income (loss)127,223
 (56,265) 70,958
 423,969
 (40,943) 383,026
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(634) 
 (634) (223) 
 (223)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $127,857
 $(56,265) $71,592
 $424,192
 $(40,943) $383,249
  

For the year ended August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $38.1 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $47.3 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related primarily to a $38.1 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $9.2 million increase of income tax expense resulting from the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $35.7 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $17.2 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $9.0 million decrease of net income. The $17.2 million decrease of income before income taxes related to a $12.1 million increase of cost of goods sold due to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018, a $2.6 million combined increase in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses for postretirement benefit plan activity that resulted from a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses and a $2.5 million increase of costs of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives. An income tax benefit of $8.2 million partially offset the decrease of income before income taxes and was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.
Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between

F-18

Table of Contents


businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $138.4 million increase of revenues, a $138.3 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $7.0 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $2.2 million increase of loss on disposal of business and a $9.1 million increase of other income.

For the year ended August 31, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $15.7 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $9.9 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $15.7 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $5.8 million income tax benefit resulting from the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $57.5 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $2.1 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $31.0 million decrease of net income. The $2.1 million decrease of income before income taxes related to a $1.7 million increase of cost of goods sold due to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018 and a $0.4 million increase of costs of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives. In addition to the decrease of income before income taxes, additional income tax expense of $29.0 million was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses between businesses. These adjustments resulted in a $65.6 million increase of revenues, a $38.4 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $27.2 million increase of reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net.



F-19

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 For the Year Ended August 31, 2017 For the Year Ended August 31, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$127,223
 $(56,265) $70,958
 $423,969
 $(40,943) $383,026
 a, b, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
Postretirement benefit plan activity30,100
 2,602
 32,702
 6,583
 
 6,583
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments4,385
 
 4,385
 1,500
 
 1,500
  
Cash flow hedges2,242
 
 2,242
 (3,872) 
 (3,872)  
Foreign currency translation adjustment(8,671) 512
 (8,159) (1,730) (1,174) (2,904) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax28,056
 3,114
 31,170
 2,481
 (1,174) 1,307
  
Comprehensive income155,279
 (53,151) 102,128
 426,450
 (42,117) 384,333
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(634) 
 (634) (223) 
 (223)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $155,913
 $(53,151) $102,762
 $426,673
 $(42,117) $384,556
  

For the year ended August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $47.3 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation relates to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $9.0 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to postretirement benefit plan activity relates to a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses.

For the year ended August 31, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $9.9 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2016, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation relates to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $31.0 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2016, above.

F-20

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITIES

 For the Years Ended August 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015
 Equity Certificates   Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss
      
 Capital
Equity
Certificates
 Nonpatronage
Equity
Certificates
 Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred
Stock
  Capital
Reserves
 Noncontrolling
Interests
 Total
Equities
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2015 (As previously reported)$3,793,897
 $23,057
 $282,928
 $2,167,540
 $(214,207) $1,604,670
 $11,526
 $7,669,411
   Cumulative restatement adjustments
 
 
 
 1,370
 (119,237) (105) (117,972)
Balances, August 31, 2015 (As restated)$3,793,897
 $23,057
 $282,928
 $2,167,540
 $(212,837) $1,485,433
 $11,421
 $7,551,439
                
Balances, August 31, 2016 (As previously reported)$3,932,513
 $22,894
 $281,767
 $2,244,132
 $(211,726) $1,582,380
 $14,290
 $7,866,250
   Cumulative restatement adjustments(13,802) 
 
 
 196
 (93,381) (104) (107,091)
Balances, August 31, 2016 (As restated)$3,918,711
 $22,894
 $281,767
 $2,244,132
 $(211,530) $1,488,999
 $14,186
 $7,759,159
                
Balances, August 31, 2017 (As previously reported)$3,906,426
 $29,836
 $405,387
 $2,264,038
 $(183,670) $1,471,217
 $12,591
 $7,905,825
  Cumulative restatement adjustments
 
 
 
 3,310
 (203,409) (86) (200,185)
Balances, August 31, 2017 (As restated)$3,906,426
 $29,836
 $405,387
 $2,264,038
 $(180,360) $1,267,808
 $12,505
 $7,705,640

As of August 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015

The decrease of total equities for each restated period was driven primarily by the elimination of derivative assets and liabilities associated with the freight derivatives and related misstatements. Adjustments for the freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $162.4 million reduction of total equities as of August 31, 2017, a $115.7 million reduction of total equities as of August 31, 2016, and a $104.6 million reduction of total equities as of August 31, 2015.

F-21

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 For the Year Ended August 31, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  
    
Net income (loss)$127,223
 $(56,265) $70,958
 a, b, c
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
      
Depreciation and amortization480,223
 
 480,223
  
Amortization of deferred major repair costs67,058
 
 67,058
  
Equity (income) loss from investments(137,338) 
 (137,338)  
Distributions from equity investments213,352
 
 213,352
  
Provision for doubtful accounts177,969
 
 177,969
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 2,190
 2,190
 c
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability(15,051) 
 (15,051)  
Long-lived asset impairment, net of recoveries145,042
 
 145,042
  
Reserve against supplier advance payments130,705
 
 130,705
  
Deferred taxes(175,914) (18,553) (194,467) a, c
Other, net24,044
 (3,871) 20,173
  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
      
Receivables121,630
 25,158
 146,788
 b, c
Inventories(293,549) (39,930) (333,479) b, c
Derivative assets126,824
 (12,801) 114,023
 a, b, c
Margin and related deposits104,214
 (6,410) 97,804
 b, c
Supplier advance payments(34,583) 631
 (33,952) b
Other current assets and other assets(66,119) 15,390
 (50,729) a, c
Customer margin deposits and credit balances(50,920) 
 (50,920)  
Customer advance payments(528) (801) (1,329) b, c
Accounts payable and accrued expenses197,445
 30,522
 227,967
 a, b, c
Derivative liabilities(183,287) 50,864
 (132,423) a, b, c
Other liabilities(25,446) 
 (25,446)  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities932,994
 (13,876) 919,118
  
Cash flows from investing activities: 
      
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(444,397) 
 (444,397)  
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment19,541
 
 19,541
  
Expenditures for major repairs(2,340) 
 (2,340)  
Investments in joint ventures and other(16,645) 
 (16,645)  
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net322
 
 322
  
Financing extended to customers(67,225) 
 (67,225)  
Payments from customer financing88,154
 
 88,154
  
Other investing activities, net17,549
 
 17,549
  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(405,041) 
 (405,041)  
Cash flows from financing activities: 
      
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings37,295,236
 
 37,295,236
  
Payments on lines of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations(37,580,959) (3,052) (37,584,011) c
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments
 
 
  
Preferred stock dividends paid(167,642) 
 (167,642)  
Redemptions of equities(35,268) 
 (35,268)  
Cash patronage dividends paid(103,879) 
 (103,879)  
Other financing activities, net(28,681) 5,987
 (22,694) c
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(621,193) 2,935
 (618,258)  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(4,694) (19) (4,713)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(97,934) (10,960) (108,894)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period279,313
 10,960
 290,273
 c
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$181,379
 $
 $181,379
  


F-22

Table of Contents


For the year ended August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $47.3 million reduction of net income for the year ended August 31, 2017. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2017, above. The impact of the adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2017, and 2016, resulted in certain misclassifications between line items in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; however, none of the freight derivatives and related misstatements impacted the classifications between operating, investing or financing activities. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the Consolidated Balance Sheet section as of August 31, 2017, above.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements did not impact net income for the year ended August 31, 2017; however, the impact of adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2017, and 2016, resulted in certain misclassification adjustments between line items in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. None of the intercompany misstatements impacted the classifications between operating, investing or financing activities within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $9.0 million decrease of net income for the year ended August 31, 2017. Refer to further details of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2017, above. The impact of the adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2017, and 2016, resulted in certain misclassification adjustments between line items in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As a result, two misclassification adjustments were made between operating and financing activities, including a $3.1 million reduction of notes payable resulted from a duplicative entry and the misclassification of a $6.0 million negative cash balance associated with a timing difference for the application of in-transit cash. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheet in the Consolidated Balance Sheet section as of August 31, 2017, above.

Additionally, an adjustment of $11.0 million was recorded to the opening cash balance, which related to a timing difference associated with the application of in-transit cash. Refer to the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended August 31, 2016, below for further details.


F-23

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 For the Year Ended August 31, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Cash flows from operating activities:       
Net income (loss)$423,969
 $(40,943) $383,026
 a, b, c
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
      
Depreciation and amortization447,492
 
 447,492
  
Amortization of deferred major repair costs73,483
 
 73,483
  
Equity (income) loss from investments(175,777) 
 (175,777)  
Distributions from equity investments178,464
 
 178,464
  
Provision for doubtful accounts57,200
 
 57,200
  
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability(60,931) 
 (60,931)  
Long-lived asset impairment, net of recoveries27,247
 
 27,247
  
Reserve against supplier advance payments
 
 
  
Deferred taxes(24,178) 52,368
 28,190
 a, c
Other, net(15,444) 
 (15,444)  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
      
Receivables46,405
 (44,835) 1,570
 b, c
Inventories338,662
 14,910
 353,572
 b, c
Derivative assets(20,257) 50,079
 29,822
 a, b, c
Margin and related deposits(37,115) 6,410
 (30,705) b, c
Supplier advance payments44,047
 (632) 43,415
 b
Other current assets and other assets120,993
 7,610
 128,603
 a, c
Customer margin deposits and credit balances20,841
 
 20,841
  
Customer advance payments5,664
 (12,743) (7,079) b, c
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(129,259) (328) (129,587) a, b, c
Derivative liabilities36,283
 (34,840) 1,443
 a, b, c
Other liabilities(94,291) 
 (94,291)  
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities1,263,498
 (2,944) 1,260,554
  
Cash flows from investing activities: 
      
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(692,780) 
 (692,780)  
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment13,417
 
 13,417
  
Expenditures for major repairs(19,610) 
 (19,610)  
Investments in joint ventures and other(2,855,218) 
 (2,855,218)  
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net(209,902) 
 (209,902)  
Financing extended to customers(82,302) 
 (82,302)  
Payments from customer financing35,188
 
 35,188
  
Other investing activities, net64,236
 
 64,236
  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(3,746,971) 
 (3,746,971)  
Cash flows from financing activities: 
      
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings31,586,968
 
 31,586,968
  
Payments on lines of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations(29,232,842) 
 (29,232,842)  
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments(153,022) 
 (153,022)  
Preferred stock dividends paid(163,324) 
 (163,324)  
Redemptions of equities(23,911) 
 (23,911)  
Cash patronage dividends paid(251,740) 
 (251,740)  
Other financing activities, net52,067
 
 52,067
  
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities1,814,196
 
 1,814,196
  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(5,223) 
 (5,223)  
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(674,500) (2,944) (677,444)  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period953,813
 13,904
 967,717
 c
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$279,313
 $10,960
 $290,273
  




F-24

Table of Contents


For the year ended August 31, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $9.9 million reduction of net income for the year ended August 31, 2016. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2016, above. The impact of the adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2016, and 2015, resulted in certain misclassification adjustments between operating activity line items in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; however, none of the freight derivatives and related misstatements impacted the classifications between operating, investing or financing activities. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet section as of August 31, 2017, and 2016, above.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements did not impact net income for the year ended August 31, 2016; however, the impact of adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2016, resulted in certain misclassification adjustments between operating activity line items in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. None of the intercompany misstatements impacted the classifications between operating, investing or financing activities within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $31.0 million decrease of net income for the year ended August 31, 2016. Refer to further details of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the year ended August 31, 2016, above. The impact of the adjustments to the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2016, and 2015, resulted in certain misclassification adjustments between operating activity line items within Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and a $2.9 million reduction of cash that resulted from a timing difference for the application of in-transit cash; however, none of the other misstatements impacted the classifications between operating, investing or financing activities. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the Consolidated Balance Sheet section as of August 31, 2017, and 2016, above.

Additionally, an adjustment of $13.9 million was recorded to the opening cash balance, which related to a timing difference associated with the application of in-transit cash during the prior year.



Note 3        Receivables

Receivables as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, are as follows:
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Trade accounts receivable$1,578,764
 $1,258,644
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable569,379
 164,807
Deferred purchase price receivable
 202,947
Other534,071
 491,496
 2,682,214
 2,117,894
Less allowances and reserves221,813
 225,726
Total receivables $2,460,401
 $1,892,168

Trade Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are initially recorded at a selling price, which approximates fair value, upon the sale of goods or services to customers. Subsequently, trade accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, level of past due accounts, and our relationships with and the economic status of our customers. Receivables from related parties are disclosed in Note 17, Related Party Transactions.

F-25

Table of Contents



During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, a trading partner of ours in Brazil entered bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law, resulting in a $98.7 million increase to our accounts receivable reserve. We also recorded a reserve of approximately $130.7 million related to supplier advance payments held by this trading partner, which is included in supplier advance payments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. We initiated efforts to recover these losses during fiscal 2017 and we recorded a recovery of approximately $20.8 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 within reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We continue to pursue additional recoveries in relation to these losses; however, additional recoveries are not estimable and have not been recorded as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

CHS Capital

Notes Receivable

CHS Capital, our wholly-owned subsidiary, has short-term notes receivable from commercial and producer borrowers. The short-term notes receivable have maturity terms of 12 months or less and are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, adjusted for the allowance of loan losses, as CHS Capital has the intent and ability to hold the applicable loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off. The carrying value of CHS Capital short-term notes receivable approximates fair value given the notes' short-term duration and the use of market pricing adjusted for risk.

The notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of certain regional cooperative’s capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers which are collateralized by various combinations of growing crops, livestock, inventories, accounts receivable, personal property and supplemental mortgages and are originated in the same states as the commercial notes with the addition of Michigan.

In addition to the short-term balances included in the table above, CHS Capital had long-term notes receivable, with durations of generally not more than 10 years, totaling $203.0 million and $17.0 million at August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2018, and 2017, the commercial notes represented 40% and 17%, respectively, and the producer notes represented 60% and 83%, respectively, of the total CHS Capital notes receivable. The increase in short-term and long-term notes receivable is the result of the activities described within the Sale of Receivables section below.

CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of any contractually established conditions. As of August 31, 2018, CHS Capital's customers have additional available credit of $706.3 million.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Impairments

CHS Capital maintains an allowance for loan losses which is the estimate of potential incurred losses inherent in the loans receivable portfolio. In accordance with FASB ASC 450-20, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, and ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, the allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component is based on historical loss experience and qualitative factors addressing operational risks and industry trends. The specific component relates to loans receivable that are classified as impaired. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are reflected within reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The portion of loans receivable deemed uncollectible is charged off against the allowance. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts increase the allowance for loan losses. No significant amounts of CHS Capital notes were past due as of August 31, 2018, or August 31, 2017, and specific and general loan loss reserves related to CHS Capital notes were not material as of either date.

Interest Income

Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using a method that computes simple interest on a daily basis. The accrual of interest on commercial loans receivable is discontinued at the time the receivable is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-collateralized and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Producer loans receivable are placed in non-accrual status based on estimates and analysis due to the annual debt service terms inherent to CHS Capital’s producer loans. In all cases, loans are placed in nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.


F-26

Table of Contents


Troubled Debt Restructurings

A restructuring of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, or restructured loan, if the creditor for economic reasons related to the debtor’s financial difficulties grants a concession to the debtor that it would otherwise not consider. Concessions vary by program and borrower. Concessions may include interest rate reductions, term extensions, payment deferrals, or the acceptance of additional collateral in lieu of payments. In limited circumstances, principal may be forgiven. When a restructured loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, CHS includes these loans within its impaired loans.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2017, CHS Capital concluded a transaction with a single producer borrower whereby CHS Capital obtained from the borrower title to approximately 14,000 acres of land and improvements that, prior to the transaction, was owned by the borrower and served as collateral for the outstanding loans to CHS Capital. The amount corresponding to the fair value of the land and improvements was credited against the notes receivable from this single producer borrower. As a result of this arrangement, all remaining outstanding notes receivable balances and corresponding reserves related to this single producer borrower were removed from the balance sheet of CHS Capital, with no incremental impact to the Consolidated Statements of Operations. During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, CHS Capital sold all rights to the outstanding notes receivable which had been previously removed from the balance sheet as they were deemed uncollectible. Through this sale, we realized a small recovery in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. As of August 31, 2018, and 2017, CHS Capital had no other significant troubled debt restructurings and no third-party borrowers that accounted for more than 10% of the total CHS Capital notes receivable.

Sale of Receivables

Receivables Securitization Facility

On June 28, 2018, we amended an existing receivables and loans securitization facility (“Securitization Facility”) with certain unaffiliated financial institutions (the "Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries sell trade accounts and notes receivable (the “Receivables”) to Cofina Funding, LLC (“Cofina”), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the purchased Receivables to the Purchasers. During the period from July 2017 through the amendment of the Securitization Facility in June 2018, CHS accounted for Receivables sold under the Facility as a sale of financial assets pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, and the Receivables sold were derecognized from its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the terms of the amended Securitization Facility, the transfer of Receivables is accounted for as a secured borrowing. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes. The Securitization Facility terminates on June 17, 2019, but may be extended.

The amount available under the Securitization Facility fluctuates over time based on the total amount of eligible Receivables generated during the normal course of business, with maximum availability of $700.0 million. Sales of Receivables by Cofina occur continuously and are settled with the Purchasers on a monthly basis. As of August 31, 2018, and 2017, the total availability under the Securitization Facility was $645.0 million and $618.0 million, respectively, of which all had been utilized. Prior to amending the Securitization Facility in June 2018, the proceeds from the sale of these Receivables were comprised of a combination of cash and a deferred purchase price (“DPP”) receivable. The DPP receivable was ultimately realized by CHS following the collection of the underlying Receivables sold to the Purchasers.

At the time of the amendment to the Securitization Facility in June 2018, $1.0 billion of Receivables and $634.0 million of securitized debt were recognized and a DPP receivable of $386.9 million was removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At the time of a previous amendment to the Securitization Facility in July 2017, $1.1 billion of Receivables and $554.0 million of securitized debt were removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheets and a DPP receivable of $580.5 million was recognized. These amounts have been reflected as non-cash transactions in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosed within Note 16, Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information.

Prior to its derecognition during June 2018, the fair value of the DPP receivable was determined by discounting the expected cash flows to be received based on unobservable inputs consisting of the face amount of the Receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses. Refer to Note 14, Fair Value Measurements, for details related to the fair value measurement of the DPP receivable.


F-27

Table of Contents


The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the DPP receivable, including the long-term portion included in other assets, for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017:
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance - beginning of year$548,602
 $
Cash collections on DPP receivable(10,961) 
Transfer of receivables(386,900) 580,509
Monthly settlements, net(169,827) (31,907)
Fair value adjustment19,086
 
Balance - end of year$
 $548,602

Loan Participations

During fiscal 2018 CHS Capital sold $64.1 million of notes receivable to numerous counterparties under a master participation agreement. The sale resulted in the removal of the notes receivable from the Consolidated Balance Sheet. CHS Capital has no retained interests in the transferred notes receivable, other than collection and administrative services. The proceeds from the sale of the notes receivable have been included in investing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Fees received related to the servicing of the notes receivables are recorded in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We consider the fees received adequate compensation for services rendered, and accordingly have recorded no servicing asset or liability.

Other Receivables

Other receivables are comprised of certain other amounts recorded in the normal course of business, including receivables related to value added taxes and pre-crop financing, primarily to Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of supplier production costs. CHS does not bear any of the costs or operational risks associated with the related growing crops. The financing is largely collateralized by future crops and physical assets of the suppliers, carries a local market interest rate and settles when the farmer’s crop is harvested and sold. 

Note 4        Inventories

Inventories as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, are as follows:
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Grain and oilseed$1,298,522
 $1,121,141
Energy715,161
 755,886
Crop nutrients246,326
 248,699
Feed and farm supplies391,906
 402,293
Processed grain and oilseed99,426
 49,723
Other17,308
 23,862
Total inventories$2,768,649
 $2,601,604

As of August 31, 2018, we valued approximately 16% of inventories, primarily crude oil and refined fuels within our Energy segment, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or net realizable value (19% as of August 31, 2017). If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $345.0 million and $186.2 million as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.


F-28

Table of Contents


Note 5        Investments

Investments as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, are as follows:

20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Equity method investments:
CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC$2,662,618 $2,708,942 
Ventura Foods, LLC381,351 374,516 
Ardent Mills, LLC208,927 209,027 
Other equity method investments253,182 267,247 
Other investments123,955 124,264 
Total investments$3,630,033 $3,683,996 
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Equity method investments:   
CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC$2,735,073
 $2,756,076
Ventura Foods, LLC360,150
 347,016
Ardent Mills, LLC205,898
 206,529
Other equity method investments288,016
 309,767
Cost method and other investments122,788
 131,605
Total investments$3,711,925
 $3,750,993


Joint ventures and other investments in which we have significant ownership and influence but not control, are accounted for in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Our significant equity method investments consist of CF Nitrogen, Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), and Ardent Mills, LLC ("Ardent Mills"), which are summarized below. In addition to the recognition of our share of income from our equity method investments, our equity method investments are evaluated for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment on an ongoing basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have approximately $383.0 million of cumulative undistributed earnings from our equity method investees included in the investments balance as of August 31, 2020.

    All equity securities that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method are measured at fair value with changes therein reflected in net income. We have elected to utilize the measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and measure these investments at cost less impairment plus or minus observable price changes in orderly transactions. Our share in the income or loss of these equity method investments is recorded within equity (income) loss from investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other investments consist primarily of investments in cooperatives without readily determinable fair values and are generally recorded at cost, unless an impairment or other observable market price change occurs requiring an adjustment. Investments in other cooperatives are recorded in a manner similar to equity investments without readily determinable fair values, plus patronage dividends received in the form of capital stock and other equities. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold at the time qualified written notices of allocation are received. Investments in debt and equity instruments are carried at amounts that approximate fair values.

CF Nitrogen

On February 1, 2016, we invested $2.8We have a $2.7 billion investment in CF Nitrogen, commencing oura strategic venture with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. ("CF Industries"). The investment consists of an approximate 10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. WeAt the time we entered into the strategic venture, we also entered into an 80-yeara supply agreement that entitles us to purchase up to 1.1 million tons of granular urea and 580,000 tons of urea ammonium nitrate ("UAN") annually from CF Nitrogen for ratable delivery.delivery through fiscal 2096. Our purchases under the supply agreement are based on prevailing market prices and we receive semi-annual cash distributions (in January and July of each year) from CF Nitrogen via our membership interest. These distributions are based on actual volumes purchased from CF Nitrogen under the strategic venture and will have the effect of reducing our investment to zero0 over 80 years on a straight-line basis. We account for this investment using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method, recognizing our share of the earnings and losses of CF Nitrogen as equity income from investments in our Nitrogen Production segment based uponon our contractual claims on the entity's net assets pursuant to the liquidation provisions of CF Nitrogen's Limited Liability Company Agreement, adjusted for the semi-annual cash distributions. For
F-13

Table of Contents

Cash distributions received from CF Nitrogen for the years ended August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017, these amounts2019, were $106.9$174.3 million and $66.5$186.5 million, respectively, and are included as equity income from investments in our Nitrogen Production segment.respectively.


The following tables provide aggregate summarized financial information for CF Nitrogen for the balance sheets as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, and the statements of operations for the twelve12 months ended August 31, 2018,2020, 2019 and 2017, and the seven months ended August 31, 2016:2018:

2018 201720202019
(Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Current assets$576,076
 $394,089
Current assets$552,127 $590,057 
Non-current assets7,447,594
 7,314,629
Noncurrent assetsNoncurrent assets6,564,086 7,028,766 
Current liabilities215,104
 390,206
Current liabilities222,391 228,324 
Non-current liabilities71
 6
Noncurrent liabilitiesNoncurrent liabilities3,036 2,455 


202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net sales$2,522,827 $2,894,795 $2,449,695 
Gross profit570,901 737,168 423,612 
Net earnings529,462 706,291 401,295 
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 127,954 160,373 106,895 
 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net sales$2,449,695
 $2,051,159
 $1,027,142
Gross profit423,612
 195,142
 243,911
Net earnings401,295
 123,965
 186,665
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 106,895
 66,530
 74,700


F-29

Table of Contents



Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills


We have a 50% interest in VentureVentura Foods, which is a joint venture with Wilsey Foods, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of MBK USA Holdings, Inc., that produces and distributes primarily vegetable oil-basedvegetable-oil-based products, and we have a 12% interest in Ardent Mills, which is a joint venture with Cargill Incorporated ("Cargill") and ConAgra Foods,Conagra Brands, Inc., which combinesand is the North Americanlargest flour milling operations ofmiller in the three parent companies.United States. We account for Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills as equity method investments included in Corporate and Other.


The following tables provide aggregate summarized financial information for our equity method investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills for balance sheets as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, and statements of operations for the twelve12 months ended August 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016:2018:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Current assets$1,548,930 $1,469,003 
Noncurrent assets2,461,886 2,327,217 
Current liabilities628,440 535,579 
Noncurrent liabilities895,620 790,401 
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Current assets$1,462,590
 $1,483,384
Non-current assets2,331,295
 2,358,434
Current liabilities671,928
 685,462
Non-current liabilities693,360
 765,078


202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net sales$5,440,143 $5,752,368 $5,882,035 
Gross profit584,352 565,784 601,927 
Net earnings181,049 248,303 226,776 
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 48,927 69,157 46,069 

 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net sales$5,882,035
 $5,762,849
 $5,694,622
Gross profit601,927
 673,329
 677,920
Net earnings226,776
 265,126
 265,025
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 46,069
 60,716
 88,936

Our investments in other equity method investees are not significant in relation to our consolidated financial statements, either individually or in the aggregate.



F-14

Table of Contents

Note 67        Property, Plant and Equipment


As of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, major classes of property, plant and equipment, which include capitalfinance lease assets, consisted of the amounts in the table below.
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Land and land improvements$317,714 $319,452 
Buildings1,110,490 1,079,073 
Machinery and equipment7,559,437 7,392,767 
Office equipment and other362,084 346,649 
Construction in progress310,901 329,297 
Gross property, plant and equipment9,660,626 9,467,238 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization4,702,688 4,378,530 
Total property, plant and equipment $4,957,938 $5,088,708 
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Land and land improvements$341,767
 $357,829
Buildings1,034,860
 1,030,478
Machinery and equipment7,199,509
 6,950,435
Office equipment and other316,946
 235,361
Construction in progress204,207
 327,682
 9,097,289
 8,901,785
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization3,955,570
 3,545,351
Total property, plant and equipment $5,141,719
 $5,356,434


Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method by charges to operations at rates based on the expected useful lives of individual or groups of assets (generally 15 to 20 years for land improvements; 20 to 40 years for buildings; five to 20 years for machinery and equipment; and three to 10 years for office equipment and other). Expenditures for maintenance and minor repairs and renewals are expensed. We have variousalso capitalize and amortize eligible costs to acquire or develop internal-use software that are incurred during the application development stage. When assets under capital leases totaling $50.0 million and $58.2 million as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Accumulated amortization on assets under capital leases was $18.9 million and $27.4 million as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.


F-30

Table of Contents


The following is a schedule by fiscal year of future minimum lease payments under capital leases together with the present valueare sold or otherwise disposed of, the net minimum lease payments as of August 31, 2018:
 (Dollars in thousands)
2019$4,845
20204,595
20214,197
20223,593
20233,427
Thereafter7,936
Total minimum future lease payments28,593
Less amount representing interest3,313
Present value of net minimum lease payments$25,280

During fiscal 2017, our Ag segment recorded an impairment charge of $30.4 millioncost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the reductionrelated accounts and resulting gains or losses are reflected in the fair value of agricultural assets held, which was determined using a market-based approach. In addition, our Energy segment recorded an impairment charge of $32.7 million associated with the cancellation of a capital project during fiscal 2017. These impairments were included in the reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net line of the Consolidated Statements of Operations.operations.

    
Depreciation expense, including amortization of capitalfinance lease assets, for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 2017,was $470.4 million, $495.3 million and 2016, was $475.8 million, $475.9respectively.

Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This evaluation of recoverability is based on various indicators, including the nature, future economic benefits and geographic locations of the assets, historical or future profitability measures and other external market conditions. If these indicators suggest the carrying amounts of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable, potential impairment is evaluated using undiscounted estimated future cash flows. Should the sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No significant impairments were identified during fiscal 2020; however, as a result of these monitoring activities, our Ag segment recorded impairment charges of approximately $12.2 million associated with certain nonstrategic long-lived assets that ceased operation during fiscal 2019. These impairments were included in marketing, general and $437.6 million, respectively.administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.



    We have asset retirement obligations with respect to certain of our refineries and other assets due to various legal obligations to clean and/or dispose of the component parts at the time they are retired. In most cases, these assets can be used for extended and indeterminate periods of time if they are properly maintained and/or upgraded. It is our practice and current intent to maintain refineries and related assets and to continue making improvements to those assets based on technological advances. As a result, we believe our refineries and related assets have indeterminate lives for purposes of estimating asset retirement obligations because dates or ranges of dates upon which we would retire a refinery and related assets cannot reasonably be estimated at this time. When a date or range of dates can reasonably be estimated for the retirement of any component part of a refinery or other asset, we estimate the cost of performing the retirement activities and record a liability for the fair value of that future cost.

    We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject to lessor discretion for which we have recorded asset retirement obligations. Based on our estimates of timing, cost and probability of removal, these obligations are not material.     

F-15

Table of Contents

Note 78        Other Assets
    
Other assets as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, are as follows:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Goodwill$172,404 $172,404 
Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets65,025 71,206 
Notes receivable109,145 189,045 
Long-term derivative assets21,157 36,408 
Prepaid pension and other benefits106,209 73,100 
Capitalized major maintenance228,511 286,890 
Cash value life insurance130,673 122,792 
Operating lease right of use assets257,834 — 
Other48,471 60,350 
Total other assets$1,139,429 $1,012,195 
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Goodwill$138,464
 $138,454
Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets29,338
 33,330
Notes receivable211,986
 51,586
Deferred purchase price receivable
 345,655
Long-term derivative assets23,084
 40,897
Prepaid pension and other benefits101,539
 122,433
Capitalized major maintenance130,780
 105,006
Cash value life insurance123,010
 118,677
Other76,128
 124,343
 $834,329
 $1,080,381


Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


F-31

TableGoodwill represents the excess of Contentscost over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is assessed for impairment on an annual basis as of July 31, either by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether a quantitative goodwill impairment test is necessary or by proceeding directly to the quantitative test. The quantitative test may be required more frequently if triggering events or other circumstances occur that could indicate impairment. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level, which has been determined to be our operating segments or one level below our operating segments in certain instances.



There were 0 changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended August 31, 2020. Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2018, and 2017,2019, by segment, are as follows:
EnergyAgCorporate
and Other
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2018$552 $127,338 $10,574 $138,464 
Goodwill acquired during the period61,358 61,358 
Impairment— (27,418)— (27,418)
Balances, August 31, 2019552 161,278 10,574 172,404 
 Energy Ag Corporate
and Other
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2016 - As previously reported$552
 $148,916
 $10,946
 $160,414
   Cumulative restatement adjustments
 (16,130) 
 (16,130)
Balances, August 31, 2016 - As restated552
 132,786
 10,946
 144,284
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments
 352
 
 352
Impairment
 (5,542) 
 (5,542)
Other
 (268) (372) (640)
Balances, August 31, 2017 - As restated$552
 $127,328
 $10,574
 $138,454
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments
 10
 
 10
Other
 
 
 
Balances, August 31, 2018$552
 $127,338
 $10,574
 $138,464

NoGoodwill of $61.4 million acquired during the third quarter of fiscal 2019 was related to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership in West Central Distribution, LLC ("WCD") that we did not previously own. See Note 20, Acquisitions, for additional information related to the acquisition. NaN goodwill has been allocated to our Nitrogen Production segment, which consists of a single investment accounted for under the equity method.


    The outbreak and pandemic of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and other factors resulted in substantial reductions in demand and sharp price declines in certain industries in which we operate during fiscal 2020, particularly with respect to the production of renewable fuels, other energy products and processing and food ingredients. Based on these deteriorated macroeconomic and industry conditions, management considered the impacts on each of our businesses and determined that we needed to perform interim impairment assessments of goodwill and asset groups, during our third quarter, for a reporting unit within our Ag segment that operates in the renewable fuels industry. Third-party price outlooks, projections of future volumes, expenses and other cash flows and a discount rate reflective of the relative risk of the cash flows were used to estimate fair value. Management believes the assumptions utilized in the assessment are appropriate and reasonable for estimating fair value. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount by approximately 18%, and thus no impairment was recorded.

As a result of our annual goodwill impairment analyses performed as of July 31, 2019, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $27.4 million associated with a reporting unit in our Ag segment. The impairment charge primarily resulted from changing market dynamics that reduced future profitability within the reporting unit, as well as strategy changes and the challenging economic environment in the agriculture industry. The impairment charge was recorded in marketing,
F-16

Table of Contents

general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2019. NaN material impairments related to long-lived assets were recorded, and 0 goodwill impairments were identified as a result of our annual goodwill analyses performed as of July 31, 2020 or 2018. Management will continue to monitor the results and projected cash flows for each of our businesses to assess whether any reserves or impairments may be necessary in the future, particularly for our businesses that have experienced or could experience substantial reductions in demand or price declines associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and noncompete agreements, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from two to 30 years). We have no material intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. All long-lived assets, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill, investments in unconsolidated affiliates and other identifiable intangible assets, are evaluatedalso assessed for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually as of July 31. All long-lived assets, including goodwill, are alsoGAAP and evaluated for impairment whenever triggering events or other circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group or reporting unit may not be recoverable. No material impairmentsIntangible assets of $47.2 million were acquired during fiscal 2019 related to long-lived assets were recorded, and no goodwill impairments were identified as a resultthe acquisition of CHS’s annual goodwill analyses performed as of July 31, 2018.
During the year ended August 31, 2017, certain assets and liabilities associated with a disposal groupremaining 75% ownership interest in our Ag segment were classified as heldWCD that we did not previously own. See Note 20, Acquisitions, for sale, including $5.5 million of goodwill allocatedadditional information related to the disposal group on a relative fair value basis. As a result of impairment tests performed over the disposal group, impairment charges of $78.8 million, which includes the allocated goodwill, were recorded in the reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2017. The disposal group assets were sold during the year ended August 31, 2018, and the related recoveries were recorded in the reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and non-compete agreements, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from 2 to 30 years).acquisition. Information regarding intangible assets included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:
August 31, 2018 August 31, 2017August 31, 2020August 31, 2019
Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization NetCarrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNetCarrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists$40,815
 $(13,082) $27,733
 $46,180
 $(14,695) $31,485
Customer lists$84,895 $(23,770)$61,125 $84,815 $(17,609)$67,206 
Trademarks and other intangible assets6,536
 (4,931) 1,605
 23,623
 (21,778) 1,845
Trademarks and other intangible assets10,735 (6,835)3,900 9,736 (5,736)4,000 
Total intangible assets$47,351
 $(18,013) $29,338
 $69,803
 $(36,473) $33,330
Total intangible assets$95,630 $(30,605)$65,025 $94,551 $(23,345)$71,206 
    

F-32

Table of Contents


Intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, was $3.4$7.3 million, $4.3$5.3 million and $6.1$3.4 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
2021$8,215 
20227,973 
20237,870 
20247,660 
20257,345 
Thereafter25,866 
Total $64,929 
 (Dollars in thousands)
2019$3,355
20203,272
20213,201
20222,989
20232,910
Thereafter13,515
Total $29,242


Capitalized Major Maintenance

Activity related to capitalized major maintenance costs at our refineries for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, is summarized below:
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Cost
Deferred
AmortizationBalance at
End of Year
 (Dollars in thousands)
2020$286,890 $14,496 $(72,875)$228,511 
2019130,780 224,406 (68,296)286,890 
2018105,006 87,460 (61,686)130,780 

Within our Energy segment, major maintenance activities are performed at our Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, refineries regularly. Major maintenance activities are the planned and required shutdowns of refinery processing units, which include replacement or overhaul of equipment that has experienced decreased efficiency in resource conversion. Because major maintenance activities are performed to extend the life, increase the capacity and/or improve the safety or efficiency of refinery processing assets, we follow the deferral method of accounting for major maintenance activities. Expenditures for major maintenance activities are capitalized (deferred) when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of two to five years, which is the estimated time lapse between major maintenance activities. Should the estimated period between
F-17

Table of Contents

 Balance at
Beginning
of Year
 Cost
Deferred
 Amortization Balance at
End of Year
 (Dollars in thousands)
2018$105,006
 $87,460
 $(61,686) $130,780
2017169,054
 3,010
 (67,058) 105,006
2016241,588
 949
 (73,483) 169,054
major maintenance activities change, we may be required to amortize the remaining cost of the major maintenance activities over a shorter period, which would result in higher depreciation and amortization costs. Amortization expense related to the capitalized major maintenance costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.



Selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing major maintenance activity costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of major maintenance activity expenditures. The deferral method also results in classification of related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities. Repair, maintenance and related labor costs are expensed as incurred and are included in operating cash flows.

Note 89        Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt


Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of August 31, 2018.2020.


Notes Payable


Notes payable as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, consisted of the following:

Weighted-average Interest Rate
2020201920202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Notes payable1.96%3.36%$763,215 $1,330,550 
CHS Capital notes payable1.29%2.90%812,276 825,558 
Total notes payable$1,575,491 $2,156,108 

  Weighted-average Interest Rate    
  2018 (As Restated)
2017
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
      (Dollars in thousands)
Notes payable 3.50% 2.40% $1,437,264
 $1,695,423
CHS Capital notes payable 2.82% 1.90% 834,932
 289,740
Total notes payable $2,272,196
 $1,985,163

Our primary committed line of credit is a five-year,five-year unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicationsyndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility provides a committed amount of $2.75 billion that expires on July 16, 2024.

We maintain a series of uncommitted bilateral facilities that are renewed annually. Amounts borrowed under these short-term credit facilities are used to fund our working capital. The following table summarizes our primary lines of credit as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017:2019:

Primary Revolving Credit FacilitiesFiscal Year
of Maturity
Total CapacityBorrowings OutstandingInterest Rates
202020202019
(Dollars in thousands)
Committed five-year unsecured facility2024$2,750,000 $345,000 $335,000 LIBOR or base rate +0.00% to 1.55%
Uncommitted bilateral facilities*2021300,000 430,000 LIBOR or base rate + applicable margin
F-33

Table*Total capacity for the uncommitted bilateral facilities was $630.0 million at August 31, 2019. As of ContentsAugust 31, 2020, the uncommitted bilateral facilities do not include $300.0 million of capacity with a banking partner for which we are currently in the process of terminating the related agreement.


Primary Revolving Credit Facilities 
Fiscal Year
of Maturity
 Total Capacity Borrowings Outstanding Interest Rates
    2018 2018 2017  
    (Dollars in thousands)  
Committed Five-Year Unsecured Facility 2021 $3,000,000
 $— $480,000 LIBOR or Base Rate +0.00% to 1.45%
Uncommitted Bilateral Facilities 2019 515,000
 515,000 350,000 LIBOR or Base Rate +0.00% to 1.20%

In addition to our primary revolving lines of credit, we have a three-year $315.0 million committed revolving pre-export credit facility for CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda ("CHS Agronegocio"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, to provide financing for its working capital needs arising from its purchases and sales of grains, fertilizers and other agricultural products which expires in April 2020. As of August 31, 2018, the outstanding balance under the facility was $181.1 million.

As of August 31, 2018,facilities above, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, CHS Europe S.a.r.l. and CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda, had uncommitted lines of credit with $454.1$318.4 million outstanding.outstanding as of August 31, 2020. In addition, our other international subsidiaries had lines of credit with a totaloutstanding of $279.4 million outstanding as of August 31, 2018, of which $40.5 million was collateralized.

Miscellaneous short-term notes payable totaled $7.4$69.7 million as of August 31, 2018.2020.


CHS Capital Notes Payable


On June 28, 2018, we amended our     We have a receivables and loans securitization facility ("Securitization FacilityFacility") with the Purchasers.certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell Receivablestrade accounts and notes receivable ("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC ("Cofina"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the purchased Receivables to the Purchasers. During the period from July 2017 through the amendment of the Securitization Facility in June 2018, CHS accounted for Receivables sold under the Securitization Facility as a sale of financial assets pursuant to ASC 860, TransfersPurchasers, and Servicing, and the Receivables sold were derecognized from its Consolidated Balance Sheets. Under the terms of the amended Securitization Facility, the transfer of Receivablesthis arrangement is accounted for as a secured borrowing. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes.purposes and settlements are made on a monthly basis. The amount available under the Securitization Facility terminatesfluctuates over time based on June 17, 2019, but may be extended. See Note 3, Receivables for additional information.

CHS Capital has available credit under master participation agreements with several counterparties. Borrowings under these agreements are accounted for as secured borrowings and bear interest at variable rates ranging from 2.22% to 3.72% asthe total amount of August 31, 2018.eligible Receivables generated during the normal course of business. As of August 31, 2018,2020, total availability under the total funding commitment under these agreementsSecuritization Facility was $36.0$423.0 million, all of which $6.3had been utilized.

F-18

Table of Contents

    We also have a repurchase facility ("Repurchase Facility") related to the Securitization Facility. Under the Repurchase Facility, we can borrow up to $150.0 million, collateralized by a subordinated note issued by Cofina in favor of the Originators and representing a portion of the outstanding balance of the Receivables sold by the Originators to Cofina under the Securitization Facility. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, the outstanding balance under the Repurchase Facility was borrowed.$150.0 million.


On June 26, 2020, we amended our existing Securitization Facility and Repurchase Facility. As a result of the amendment, the maximum availability of the Securitization Facility was decreased from $700.0 million to $500.0 million. On September 24, 2020 the Securitization Facility and Repurchase Facility were further amended increasing the maximum availability under the Securitization Facility to $600.0 million from $500.0 million and extending their respective termination dates to July 30, 2021.

CHS Capital sells loan commitments it has originated to Compeer Financial, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial on a recourse basis. The total outstanding commitments under the program totaled $180.9were $150.0 million as of August 31, 2018,2020, of which $98.3$133.3 million was borrowed under these commitments with an interest rate of 3.22%1.45%.


CHS Capital borrows funds under short-term notes issued as part of a surplus funds program. Borrowings under this program are unsecured and bear interest at variable rates ranging from 0.10%0.35% to 1.40% as of August 31, 2018,2020, and are due upon demand. Borrowings under these notes totaled $69.3$134.9 million as of August 31, 2018.2020.



On September 30, 2019, CHS Capital entered into a credit agreement with a revolving note. Under this agreement, CHS Capital had available capacity of $100.0 million of which no amount was outstanding as of August 31, 2020. This agreement matured subsequent to August 31, 2020, and was not renewed.

F-34
F-19

Table of Contents



Long-Term Debt


During the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, we repaid approximately $208$25.4 million of long-term debt consisting of scheduled debt maturities and optional prepayments. There were no new material borrowingsOn August 14, 2020, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement to borrow $375.0 million of long-term debt during fiscal 2018.in the form of notes that was funded on November 2, 2020. Amounts included in long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, are presented in the table below.
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)
4.00% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in fiscal 2017 through fiscal 2021$20,000 $40,000 
4.52% unsecured notes $160 million face amount, due in fiscal 2021162,090 161,978 
4.67% unsecured notes $130 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023137,623 136,086 
4.39% unsecured notes $152 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023152,000 152,000 
3.85% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in fiscal 202580,000 80,000 
3.80% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025100,000 100,000 
4.58% unsecured notes $150 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025154,012 151,776 
4.82% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in fiscal 202680,000 80,000 
4.69% unsecured notes $58 million face amount, due in fiscal 202758,000 58,000 
4.74% unsecured notes $95 million face amount, due in fiscal 202895,000 95,000 
4.89% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2031100,000 100,000 
4.71% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2033100,000 100,000 
5.40% unsecured notes $125 million face amount, due in fiscal 2036125,000 125,000 
Private placement debt1,363,725 1,379,840 
2.25% unsecured term loans from cooperative and other banks, due in fiscal 2025 (a)
366,000 366,000 
Bank financing366,000 366,000 
Finance lease liabilities31,460 28,239 
Other notes and contracts with interest rates from 0.0% to 10.0%34,709 18,601 
Deferred financing costs(4,771)(3,569)
Total long-term debt1,791,123 1,789,111 
Less current portion189,287 39,210 
Long-term portion$1,601,836 $1,749,901 
   2018 2017
   (Dollars in thousands)
6.18% unsecured notes $400 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in 2014 through 2018 $
 $80,000
5.60% unsecured notes $60 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in 2012 through 2018 
 4,615
5.78% unsecured notes $50 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in 2014 through 2018 
 10,000
4.00% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in 2017 through 2021 60,000
 80,000
4.08% unsecured notes $130 million face amount, due in 2019 (a)
 129,229
 130,690
4.52% unsecured notes $160 million face amount, due in 2021 (a)
 157,528
 163,496
4.67% unsecured notes $130 million face amount, due in 2023 (a)
 128,577
 135,792
4.39% unsecured notes $152 million face amount, due in 2023 152,000
 152,000
3.85% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in 2025 80,000
 80,000
3.80% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in 2025 100,000
 100,000
4.58% unsecured notes $150 million face amount, due in 2025 145,213
 149,293
4.82% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in 2026 80,000
 80,000
4.69% unsecured notes $58 million face amount, due in 2027 58,000
 58,000
4.74% unsecured notes $95 million face amount, due in 2028 95,000
 95,000
4.89% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in 2031 100,000
 100,000
4.71% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in 2033 100,000
 100,000
5.40% unsecured notes $125 million face amount, due in 2036 125,000
 125,000
Private Placement debt 1,510,547
 1,643,886
5.59% unsecured term loans from cooperative and other banks, due in equal installments beginning in 2013 through 2018 
 15,000
2.25% unsecured term loans from cooperative and other banks, due in 2025 (b)
 366,000
 430,000
Bank financing 366,000
 445,000
Capital lease obligations 25,280
 33,075
Other notes and contracts with interest rates from 1.30% to 15.25% 32,607
 62,652
Deferred financing costs (4,179) (4,820)
Total long-term debt 1,930,255
 2,179,793
Less current portion 167,565
 156,345
Long-term portion $1,762,690
 $2,023,448
(a) Borrowings are variable under the agreement and bear interest at a base rate (or LIBOR) plus an applicable margin.


(a)
We have entered into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedging relationships with these notes. Changes in the fair value of the swaps are recorded each period with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the debt. See Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for more information.
(b)
Borrowings are variable under the agreement and bear interest at a base rate (or a LIBO rate) plus an applicable margin.    
As of August 31, 2018,2020, the carryingfair value of our long-term debt approximated its fair value, which is estimated to be $1.8$1.9 billion based on quoted market prices of similar debt (a Level 2 fair value measurement based on the classification hierarchy of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement).

We have outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges of select portions of our fixed-rate debt. During fiscal 2018, we recorded corresponding fair value adjustments of $18.7 million,

F-35

Table of Contents


which are included in the amounts in the table above. See Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

In September 2015, we entered into a 10-year term loan with a syndicationsyndicate of banks. The agreement provides for committed term loans in an amount up to $600.0 million. As of August 31, 2018,2020, $236.0 million wasof term loans were outstanding under this agreement. In June 2016, we amended the 10-year term loan so that $300.0 million of the $600.0 million loan balance possessedThe agreement includes a revolving feature, whereby we wereare able to pay down and re-advance an amount up to the referenced $300.0 million. During fiscal 2017, we re-advanced $130.0 million under the revolving provision of the loan.$600.0 million. As of August 31, 2018,2020, $130.0 million wasof revolving loans were outstanding under this agreement. Principal on the outstanding balances is payable in full in September 2025.






F-20

Table of Contents

Long-term debt outstanding as of August 31, 2018,2020, has aggregate maturities, excluding fair value adjustments and capitalfinance leases (see Note 6, Property, Plant and Equipment19, Leases,for a schedule of minimum future lease payments under capitalfinance leases), as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
(Dollars in thousands)
2019$162,846
202030,671
2021182,472
2021$181,628 
202265
202230,828 
2023282,065
2023282,828 
20242024780 
20252025696,780 
Thereafter1,260,570
Thereafter558,103 
Total $1,918,689
Total $1,750,947 
    
Interest expense for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, 2017, and 2016, was $149.2$117.0 million, $171.2$167.1 million and $113.7$149.2 million, respectively, net of capitalized interest of $6.7$10.9 million, $6.9$9.4 million and $30.3$6.7 million, respectively.     


Note 910        Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances$149,539 $143,049 
Customer advance payments300,100 336,645 
Derivative liabilities (Note 15)416,204 241,957 
Dividends and equity payable63,000 180,000 
Total other current liabilities$928,843 $901,651 

Note 11        Income Taxes


    CHS is a nonexempt agricultural cooperative and files a consolidated federal income tax return within our tax return period. We are subject to tax on income from nonpatronage sources, nonqualified patronage distributions and undistributed patronage-sourced income. Income tax (benefit) expense is primarily the current tax payable for the period and the change during the period in certain deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized under U.S. GAAP and such amounts recognized for federal and state income tax purposes, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.

The (benefit from) provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 20162018 is as follows:

202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Current:
Federal$4,519 $211 $15,576 
State(2,231)3,815 7,041 
Foreign2,748 (2,630)20,268 
Total Current5,036 1,396 42,885 
Deferred:
Federal(36,231)(4,923)(146,780)
State(5,263)(8,491)(127)
Foreign(273)(438)(54)
Total Deferred(41,767)(13,852)(146,961)
Total$(36,731)$(12,456)$(104,076)

F-21
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Current:     
    Federal$15,576
 $8,394
 $(14,536)
    State7,041
 (1,787) 2,427
    Foreign20,268
 6,736
 3,018
 42,885
 13,343
 (9,091)
Deferred:     
    Federal(146,780) (173,184) 34,753
    State(127) (13,244) (13,684)
    Foreign(54) (8,039) 7,121
 (146,961) (194,467) 28,190
Total$(104,076) $(181,124) $19,099


F-36

Table of Contents



The tax expense above for fiscal 2017 and 2016 are restatements of originally filed amounts to reflect necessary tax adjustments caused by restatements to pre-tax income for the relevant periods as well as to reflect certain tax only adjustments moved to or from other years. For fiscal 2017 and 2016, the adjustments to tax expense were $1.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively. In addition, the disclosures of deferred tax assets for fiscal 2017 discussed below similarly reflect restatements from originally filed amounts for changes in book income and tax only adjustments to or from previous years. The net deferred tax liability for fiscal 2017 reflects a total adjustment from originally filed for $3.7 million. All other disclosures reflect amounts after restatement.
Domestic income before income taxes was $717.4$324.4 million, $158.5$825.7 million and $473.0$717.4 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Foreign income (loss) before income taxes was ($46.2)$62.5 million, ($268.7)3.1) million and ($70.9)46.2) million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively.


    Deferred taxes are comprised of basis differences related to investments, accrued liabilities and certain federal and state tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets:  
Accrued expenses$51,560 $62,245 
Postretirement health care and deferred compensation42,898 42,747 
Tax credit carryforwards123,193 152,347 
Loss carryforwards116,741 136,435 
Nonqualified equity344,924 290,447 
Lease obligations64,140 — 
Other85,856 97,071 
Deferred tax assets valuation reserve(219,891)(246,344)
Total deferred tax assets609,421 534,948 
Deferred tax liabilities:  
Pension17,131 11,237 
Investments95,916 99,838 
Major maintenance91 4,679 
Property, plant and equipment556,160 560,334 
Right of use asset64,140 — 
Other15,326 1,760 
Total deferred tax liabilities748,764 677,848 
Net deferred tax liabilities$139,343 $142,900 

    We have total gross loss carryforwards of $576.6 million, of which $366.9 million will expire over periods ranging from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2041. The remainder will carry forward indefinitely. Based on estimates of future taxable profits and losses in certain foreign tax jurisdictions, as well as consideration of other factors, we assessed whether a valuation allowance was necessary to reduce specific foreign loss carryforwards to amounts we believe are more likely than not to be realized as of August 31, 2020. If our estimates prove inaccurate, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required in the future with gains or losses being charged to income in the period such determination is made. McPherson refinery's gross state tax credit carryforwards for income tax were approximately $125.5 million and $123.3 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. McPherson refinery's valuation allowance on Kansas state credits is necessary due to the limited amount of taxable income generated in Kansas by the combined group on an annual basis.

    On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security ("CARES") Act was signed into law. As a result, our alternative minimum tax credit became refundable and has been classified in other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2020. Our general business credits of $59.1 million, comprised primarily of low-sulfur diesel credits, will begin to expire on August 31, 2027, and our state tax credits of $125.5 million began to expire on August 31, 2020.

F-22

Table of Contents

    The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates to the effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:
202020192018
Statutory federal income tax rate21.0 %21.0 %25.7 %
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit(1.8)(0.7)0.7 
Patronage earnings(13.1)(14.3)(13.6)
Domestic production activities deduction(19.0)(9.9)(8.4)
Export activities at rates other than the U.S. statutory rate1.8 (2.1)5.7 
U.S. tax reform(23.2)
Intercompany transfer of business assets(1.6)(6.1)
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits4.2 0.2 6.8 
Valuation allowance(1.0)2.6 (3.0)
Tax credits0.2 0.4 0.7 
Other(0.2)1.3 (0.8)
Effective tax rate(9.5)%(1.5)%(15.5)%

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("Tax Act") was enacted into law. The Tax Act provides for significant U.S. tax law changes that reduced our federal corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% as of January 1, 2018. As a fiscal year-end taxpayer, our annual statutory federal corporate tax rate applicable to fiscal 2018 was a blended rate of 25.7%. Beginning inFor fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, the annual statutory federal corporate tax rate will bewas 21%.


The Tax Act also requires companies to pay a one-time repatriation tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred ("transition tax") and creates new taxes on certain foreign sourced earnings. Foreign taxes have not historically had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The foreign impactsPrimary drivers of the Tax Act are discussed below.

The Tax Act initially repealedfiscal 2020 income tax benefit were retaining the current Domestic Production Activities Deduction ("DPAD") benefit and enactedfrom the Deduction for Qualified Business Incomesettlement of Pass-Thru Entities ("QBI Deduction"); however, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (the "Appropriations Act") enacted into law on March 23, 2018, impacted these deductions. The Appropriations Act modifies the QBI Deduction under Sec. 199Aa U.S. federal audit resulting in additional tax credit carryovers, which were partially offset by an increase in our unrecognized deferred tax benefit. Primary drivers of the Tax Act to reenact DPAD for agricultural and horticultural cooperatives as it existed prior to the enactment of the Tax Act, and also modifies the QBI Deduction available to cooperative patrons as enacted by the Tax Act. All references to the Tax Act below include the modifications introduced by the Appropriations Act.

As discussed in Note 1, Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, the FASB issued ASU 2018-05 during March 2018, which allows for entities to report provisional amounts for specificfiscal 2019 income tax effects associated withbenefit were retaining the Tax Act for which the accounting is not complete, but a reasonable estimate can be determined.

As of August 31, 2018, we have not finalized our work associated with the income tax effects of the enactment of the Tax Act; however, a reasonable estimate was provisionally recorded as a netcurrent DPAD benefit of $155.2 millionand deducting previously disallowed DPAD available from the revaluationcarryback of excise tax credits, which were partially offset by an increase in our U.S. netunrecognized deferred tax liability that resulted from the reduced federal corporate tax rate and CHS being subject to the employee compensation deduction limitations imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).

We have provisionally estimated that we will not have a transition tax liability; however, we continue to gather additional information and will refine that estimate, if necessary. Additionally, we continue to review the anticipated impacts of global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"), including whether its tax effects should be accounted forbenefit as an in-period or deferred tax expense. Due to the complexity of the GILTI tax rules and the dependency upon future results of our global operations and our global structure, we are currently unable to make a reasonable estimate of this provision and have not recorded any impact associated with GILTI in the tax rate for the year ended August 31, 2018.

Deferred taxes are comprised of basis differences related to investments, accrued liabilities and certain federal and state tax credits. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, are as follows:

F-37



 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Deferred tax assets: 
  
    Accrued expenses$138,417
 $227,877
    Postretirement health care and deferred compensation41,797
 82,682
    Tax credit carryforwards154,240
 169,549
    Loss carryforwards104,519
 156,615
    Nonqualified equity178,046
 140,009
    Major maintenance5,484
 13,011
    Other83,580
 83,138
    Deferred tax assets valuation reserve(230,373) (289,082)
Total deferred tax assets475,710
 583,799
Deferred tax liabilities: 
  
    Pension19,397
 32,150
    Investments98,608
 130,816
    Property, plant and equipment513,238
 709,313
    Other26,828
 40,323
Total deferred tax liabilities658,071
 912,602
Net deferred tax liabilities$182,361
 $328,803

We have total gross loss carry forwards of $531.1 million, of which $342.8 million will expire over periods ranging from fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2040. The remainder will carry forward indefinitely. Based on estimates of future taxable profits and losses in certain foreign tax jurisdictions, as well as consideration of other factors, we assessed whether a valuation allowance was necessary to reduce specific foreign loss carry forwards to amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be realized as of August 31, 2018. If our estimates prove inaccurate, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required in the future with gains or losses being charged to income in the period such determination is made. During fiscal 2018, valuation allowances related to foreign operations decreased by $33.8 million due to net operating loss carry forwards and other timing differences. CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. ("CHS McPherson") (formerly known as National Cooperative Refinery Association) gross state tax credit carry forwards for income tax were approximately $121.6 million and $172.9 million as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively. During the year ended August 31, 2018, the valuation allowance for CHS McPherson decreased by $17.0 million, net of federal tax, due to a change in the amount of state tax credits that will be available for use and estimated to be utilized. The significant decrease in state tax credit carry forwards resulted from the CHS McPherson expansion project qualifying for an alternative Kansas state credit than the credit under which the project previously qualified. CHS McPherson's valuation allowance on Kansas state credits is necessary due to the limited amount of taxable income generated in Kansas by the combined group on an annual basis.

Our foreign tax credit of $11.2 million was generated in fiscal 2018 and will expire in ten years. Our alternative minimum tax credit of $6.1 million will not expire. Our general business credits of $61.2 million, comprised primarily of low sulfur diesel credits, will begin to expire on August 31, 2027 and our state tax credits of $121.6 million will begin to expire on August 31, 2019.

As of August 31, 2018, and 2017, net deferred tax assets of $0.4 million and $1.2 million were included in other assets, respectively.

F-38



The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates to the effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 is as follows:
 2018 (As Restated)
2017
 (As Restated)
2016
Statutory federal income tax rate25.7 % 35.0 % 35.0 %
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit0.7
 12.1
 0.3
Patronage earnings(13.6) 91.7
 (21.2)
Domestic production activities deduction(8.4) 30.5
 (12.1)
Export activities at rates other than the U.S. statutory rate6.1
 51.6
 (3.0)
U.S. tax reform(23.2) 
 
Intercompany transfer of business assets(6.1) 
 
Increase in unrecognized tax benefits6.8
 
 
Valuation allowance(3.4) (77.1) 25.4
Tax credits0.7
 22.8
 (14.1)
Crack spread contingency
 4.8
 (5.3)
Other(0.8) (7.0) (0.3)
Effective tax rate(15.5)% 164.4 % 4.7 %

The primarydescribed below. Primary drivers of the fiscal 2018 income tax benefit are thewere recognition of deferred benefits from the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability resulting from the Tax Act, thean intercompany transfer of a business on December 1, 2017, and a current tax benefit from retaining a significant portion of the DPAD, which were partially offset by deferred tax expense from an increase in our unrecognized tax benefit as descrieddescribed below.
The components of the income tax benefit disclosed as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes in the reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate for the year ended August 31, 2017, were magnified because our fiscal 2017 income tax benefit was unusually large in relation to our income (loss) before income taxes. The primary drivers of the fiscal 2017 income tax benefit were the recognition of deferred tax benefits related to the issuance of non-qualified equity certificates for fiscal 2013 and 2014, which is disclosed within ‘Patronage earnings’ and U.S. and Brazil deductions related to the Brazilian trading partner loss, which are disclosed within ‘Statutory federal income tax rate’ and ‘Export activities at rates other than the U.S. statutory rate’, respectively, as well as a current tax benefit from retaining a significant portion of the DPAD. A significant income tax expense within the fiscal 2017 income tax benefit is an increase in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets generated in the Brazilian trading partner loss and Kansas state tax credits.


We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, as well as various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our uncertain tax positions are affected by the tax years that are under audit or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. In addition to the current year, fiscal 2007 through 20172019 remain subject to examination, at least for certain issues.


We account for our incomeReserves are recorded against unrecognized tax provisions in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes, which prescribes a minimum thresholdbenefits when we believe certain fully supportable tax return positions are likely to be challenged and we may or may not prevail. If we determine that a tax provisionposition is required to meet before being recognized in our consolidated financial statements. This interpretation requires us to recognize in our consolidated financial statements tax positions determined more likely than not to be sustained upon examination,audit, based on the technical merits of the position.position, we recognize the benefit by measuring the amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. We reevaluate the technical merits of our tax positions and recognize an uncertain tax benefit, or derecognize a previously recorded tax benefit, when there is (i) a completion of a tax audit, (ii) effective settlement of an issue, (iii) a change in applicable tax law including a tax case or legislative guidance, or (iv) expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. Significant judgment is required in accounting for tax reserves. A reconciliation of the gross beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the periods presented follows:
202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$101,128 $91,135 $37,830 
Additions attributable to current year tax positions14,410 14,162 3,640 
Additions attributable to prior year tax positions6,128 49,665 
Reductions attributable to prior year tax positions(2,516)(4,169)
Balance at end of period$119,150 $101,128 $91,135 

F-23
 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance at beginning of period$37,830
 $37,105
 $72,181
Additions attributable to current year tax positions3,640
 725
 1,387
Additions attributable to prior year tax positions49,665
 
 
Reductions attributable to prior year tax positions
 
 (36,463)
Balance at end of period$91,135
 $37,830
 $37,105


F-39


During fiscal 2018, adverse judicial opinions received by other taxpayers with similar filing positions resulted in an increase to our unrecognized tax benefits primarily for excise tax credits related to the blending and sale of renewable fuels deducted from income taxes. During fiscal 2017, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits for excise tax credits related to the blending and sale of renewable fuels deducted for income taxes. During fiscal 2016, we decreased our unrecognized tax benefits due to a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service and increased our unrecognized tax benefits for excise tax credits related to the blending and sale of renewable fuels deducted for income taxes.

If we were to prevail on all positions taken in relation to uncertain tax positions, $83.3$111.3 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would ultimately benefit our effective tax rate. However, we do not believe itIt is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits willcould significantly increase or decrease withinchange in the next 12 months.


We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. We recognized $1.2$1.0 million benefit and $1.7 million expense for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the yearyears ended August 31, 2018,2020 and 2019, respectively, and a related $1.2$1.0 million and $2.9 million interest payable on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2018. No2020 and 2019, respectively. NaN interest or penalties were recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the yearsyear ended August 31, 2017, and 2016 and no interest payable was recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2017.2018.


Note 1012        Equities


Patronage and Equity Redemptions    

In accordance with our bylaws and by action of the Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources are distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each fiscal year and are based on amounts using financial statement earnings. The cash portion of the qualified patronage distribution, if any, is determined annually by the Board of Directors, with the balance issued in the form of qualified and/or non-qualifiednonqualified capital equity certificates. Total patronage distributions for fiscal 20182020 are estimated to be $420.3$242.0 million, with the qualified cash portion estimated to be $75.0$30.0 million and non-qualifiednonqualified equity distributions of $345.3$212.0 million. NoNaN portion of annual net earnings for fiscal 20182020 will be issued in the form of qualified capital equity certificates. Patronage distributions in fiscalfor the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $564.5 million (with a $90.1 million cash portion), $428.8 million (with a $75.8 million cash portion) and $128.8 million with no(with 0 cash portion. The actual patronage distributions and cash portion for fiscal 2016, and 2015 were $257.5 million ($103.9 million in cash), and $627.2 million ($251.7 million in cash)portion), respectively.


Annual net earnings from patronage or other sources may be added to the unallocated capital reserve or, upon action by the Board of Directors, may be allocated to members in the form of nonpatronage equity certificates. The Board of Directors authorized, in accordance with our bylaws, that 10% of the earnings from patronage business for fiscal 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 20162018 be added to our capital reserves.


Redemptions of outstanding equity are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Redemptions of capital equity certificates approved by the Board of Directors are divided into two2 pools, one for non-individualsnonindividuals (primarily member cooperatives) who may participate in an annual redemption program for qualified equities held by them and another for individual members who are eligible for equity redemptions at age 70 or upon death. Beginning with fiscal 2017 patronage (for which distributions were made in fiscal 2018), CHS'sThe CHS redemption policy includes a redemption program for individuals similar to the one that was previously onlyis available to non-individualnonindividual members, subject to the CHS Board of Directors'Directors overall discretion whether to redeem outstanding equity. In accordance with authorization from the Board of Directors, we expect total redemptions related to the year ended August 31, 2018,2020, that will be distributed in fiscal 2019,2021, to be approximately $75.0$33.0 million. This amount is classified as a current liability on our August 31, 2018,2020, Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, we redeemed in cash, outstanding owners' equities in accordance with authorization from the Board of Directors, in the amounts of $8.8$96.4 million, $35.3$85.5 million and $23.9$8.8 million, respectively.


In March 2017, we redeemed approximately $20.0 million of patrons' equities by issuing 695,390 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 ("Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock"), with a total redemption value of $17.4 million, excluding accumulated dividends. Each share of Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock was issued in redemption of $28.74 of patrons' equities in the form of capital equity certificates. Additionally, in fiscal 2016, we redeemed approximately $76.8 million of patrons' equities by issuing 2,693,195 shares of Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock with a total redemption value of $67.3 million, excluding accumulated dividends. Each share of Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock was issued in redemption of $28.50 of patrons' equities in the form of capital equity certificates.









F-40
F-24


Preferred Stock    
    
The following is a summary of our outstanding preferred stock as of August 31, 2018,2020, all shares of which are listed and traded on The Nasdaq:
Nasdaq SymbolIssuance DateShares OutstandingRedemption ValueNet Proceeds (a)Dividend Rate
(b) (c)
Dividend Payment FrequencyRedeemable Beginning (d)
(Dollars in millions)
8% Cumulative RedeemableCHSCP(e)12,272,003 $306.8 $311.2 8.00 %Quarterly7/18/2023
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1CHSCO(f)21,459,066 536.5 569.3 7.875 %Quarterly9/26/2023
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2CHSCN3/11/201416,800,000 420.0 406.2 7.10 %Quarterly3/31/2024
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3CHSCM9/15/201419,700,000 492.5 476.7 6.75 %Quarterly9/30/2024
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4CHSCL1/21/201520,700,000 517.5 501.0 7.50 %Quarterly1/21/2025
(a) Includes patrons' equities redeemed with preferred stock.

(b) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.10% per year until March 31, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.298%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to March 31, 2024.

(c) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 accumulates dividends at a rate of 6.75% per year until September 30, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.155%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to September 30, 2024.

(d) Preferred stock is redeemable for cash at our option, in whole or in part, at a per share price equal to the per share liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid on that share to and including the date of redemption, beginning on the Global Select Marketdates set forth in this column.

(e) The 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued at various times from 2003 through 2010.

(f) Shares of Nasdaq:Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 were issued on September 26, 2013; August 25, 2014; March 31, 2016; and March 30, 2017.

  Nasdaq symbol Issuance date Shares outstanding Redemption value Net proceeds (a) 
Dividend rate
 (b) (c)
 Dividend payment frequency Redeemable beginning (d)
        (Dollars in millions)      
8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP (e) 12,272,003
 $306.8
 $311.2
 8.00% Quarterly 7/18/2023
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1 CHSCO (f) 21,459,066
 $536.5
 $569.3
 7.875% Quarterly 9/26/2023
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2 CHSCN 3/11/2014 16,800,000
 $420.0
 $406.2
 7.10% Quarterly 3/31/2024
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3 CHSCM 9/15/2014 19,700,000
 $492.5
 $476.7
 6.75% Quarterly 9/30/2024
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4 CHSCL 1/21/2015 20,700,000
 $517.5
 $501.0
 7.50% Quarterly 1/21/2025
Preferred Stock Dividends
(a)
Includes patrons' equities redeemed with preferred stock.
(b)
The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.10% per year until March 31, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.298%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to March 31, 2024.
(c)
The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 accumulates dividends at a rate of 6.75% per year until September 30, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.155%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to September 30, 2024.
(d)
Preferred stock is redeemable for cash at our option, in whole or in part, at a per share price equal to the per share liquidation preference of $25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid on that share to and including the date of redemption, beginning on the dates set forth in this column.
(e)
The 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued at various times from 2003 through 2010.
(f)
Shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 were issued on September 26, 2013, August 25, 2014, March 31, 2016 and March 30, 2017.
    
We made dividend payments on our preferred stock of $168.7 million $167.6 million, and $163.3 million, during each of the years ended August 31, 2018, 20172020, 2019 and 2016, respectively.2018. As of August 31, 2018,2020, we have no authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock.



    The following is a summary of dividends per share by series of preferred stock for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019.
Years Ended August 31,
Nasdaq Symbol20202019
(Dollars per share)
8% Cumulative RedeemableCHSCP$2.00 $2.00 
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1CHSCO1.97 1.97 
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2CHSCN1.78 1.78 
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3CHSCM1.69 1.69 
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4CHSCL1.88 1.88 

F-41
F-25


Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss


Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 20162018 are as follows:
 Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Unrealized Net Gain (Loss) on Available for Sale Investments Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of August 31, 2015, net of tax (As previously reported)$(171,729) $4,156
 $(5,324) $(41,310) $(214,207)
Cumulative restatement adjustments
 
 
 1,370
 1,370
Balance as of August 31, 2015, net of tax (As restated)(171,729) 4,156
 (5,324) (39,940) (212,837)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:         
Amounts before reclassifications(10,512) 2,447
 (11,353) (2,210) (21,628)
Amounts reclassified out20,998
 
 5,071
 469
 26,538
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax10,486
 2,447
 (6,282) (1,741) 4,910
Tax effect(3,903) (947) 2,410
 (1,163) (3,603)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax6,583
 1,500
 (3,872) (2,904) 1,307
Balance as of August 31, 2016, net of tax (As restated)(165,146) 5,656
 (9,196) (42,844) (211,530)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:         
Amounts before reclassifications25,216
 7,117
 1,892
 (7,960) 26,265
Amounts reclassified out26,174
 
 1,742
 15
 27,931
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax51,390
 7,117
 3,634
 (7,945) 54,196
Tax effect(18,688) (2,732) (1,392) (214) (23,026)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax32,702
 4,385
 2,242
 (8,159) 31,170
Balance as of August 31, 2017, net of tax (As restated)(132,444) 10,041
 (6,954) (51,003) (180,360)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:         
Amounts before reclassifications7,633
 21,078
 1,031
 (10,062) 19,680
Amounts reclassified out21,804
 (25,534) 1,704
 (2,042) (4,068)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax29,437
 (4,456) 2,735
 (12,104) 15,612
Tax effect(9,371) 1,308
 (195) 83
 (8,175)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax20,066
 (3,148) 2,540
 (12,021) 7,437
Reclassification of tax effects to retained earnings(27,957) 1,968
 (1,468) 465
 (26,992)
Balance as of August 31, 2018, net of tax$(140,335) $8,861
 $(5,882) $(62,559) $(199,915)
During fiscal 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2018-02, Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under U.S. GAAP, the effects of tax law changes on deferred tax balances, including adjustments to deferred taxes originally recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), are recorded as a component of income tax expense. Adjusting deferred tax balances related to items originally recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) through tax expense resulted in a remaining accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) balance that was disproportionate to the amounts that would have been recorded through net income in future periods. The new guidance allowed us to reclassify $27.0 million of disproportionate (or stranded) amounts related to the Tax Act to capital reserves.
Pension and Other Postretirement BenefitsUnrealized Net Gain (Loss) on Available for Sale InvestmentsCash Flow HedgesForeign Currency Translation AdjustmentTotal
(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of August 31, 2017, net of tax$(132,444)$10,041 $(6,954)$(51,003)$(180,360)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications7,633 21,078 1,031 (10,062)19,680 
Amounts reclassified out21,804 (25,534)1,704 (2,042)(4,068)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax29,437 (4,456)2,735 (12,104)15,612 
Tax effect(9,371)1,308 (195)83 (8,175)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax20,066 (3,148)2,540 (12,021)7,437 
Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves(27,957)1,968 (1,468)465 (26,992)
Balance as of August 31, 2018, net of tax(140,335)8,861 (5,882)(62,559)(199,915)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(51,118)37,709 (9,990)(23,399)
Amounts reclassified out10,279 (9,843)436 
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax(40,839)27,866 (9,990)(22,963)
Tax effect8,280 (7,670)41 651 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(32,559)20,196 (9,949)(22,312)
Reclassifications416 (8,861)983 2,756 (4,706)
Balance as of August 31, 2019, net of tax(172,478)15,297 (69,752)(226,933)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:
Amounts before reclassifications(4,751)16,430 (17,021)(5,342)
Amounts reclassified out19,908 (22,291)(2,383)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax15,157 (5,861)(17,021)(7,725)
Tax effect(2,359)1,450 1,643 734 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax12,798 (4,411)(15,378)(6,991)
Balance as of August 31, 2020, net of tax$(159,680)$$10,886 $(85,130)$(233,924)
    
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges, available for saleavailable-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments. Pension and other postretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts and are recorded as cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses (see Note 11, 13, Benefit Plans, for further information). Amortization related to gains or losses on cash flow hedges is recorded to interest expense. Gains or losses on the sale of available for saleavailable-for-sale investments are recorded to other income. Foreign currency translation reclassifications related to sales of businesses are recorded to gain on sale of business or reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net.other income.



F-42



During fiscal 2016, interest rate swaps accounted for as cash flow hedges were terminated as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $3.7 million loss was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax loss is included as a component of interest expense in our Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2016.

Note 1113        Benefit Plans


We have various pension and other defined benefit as well as defined contribution plans in which substantially all employees may participate. We also have non-qualifiednonqualified supplemental executive and Board retirement plans.

Financial information on changes in benefit obligation, plan assets funded and balance sheet status as of August 31, 2018, and 2017, is as follows:
 
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
 2018 2017 2018 2017 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation: 
  
  
  
  
  
  Benefit obligation at beginning of period$806,174
 $812,749
 $25,599
 $32,696
 $31,836
 $36,779
  Service cost39,677
 42,149
 548
 1,206
 943
 1,160
  Interest cost24,007
 22,999
 711
 843
 908
 930
  Actuarial (gain) loss3,146
 (10,054) 205
 (5,692) (623) (4,650)
  Assumption change(36,515) (17,750) (783) (655) (1,612) (775)
  Plan amendments244
 
 
 
 
 
  Settlements
 
 (4,824) (2,131) 
 
  Benefits paid(69,549) (43,919) (701) (668) (1,662) (1,608)
Benefit obligation at end of period$767,184
 $806,174
 $20,755
 $25,599
 $29,790
 $31,836
Change in plan assets: 
  
  
  
  
  
  Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$875,820
 $883,265
 $
 $
 $
 $
  Actual gain (loss) on plan assets23,345
 36,474
 
 
 
 
  Company contributions
 
 5,525
 2,799
 1,662
 1,608
  Settlements
 
 (4,824) (2,131) 
 
  Benefits paid(69,549) (43,919) (701) (668) (1,662) (1,608)
  Fair value of plan assets at end of period$829,616
 $875,820
 $
 $
 $
 $
Funded status at end of period$62,432
 $69,646
 $(20,755) $(25,599) $(29,790) $(31,836)
Amounts recognized on balance sheet: 
  
  
  
  
  
     Non-current assets$62,432
 $70,019
 $
 $
 $
 $
     Accrued benefit cost:           
          Current liabilities
 
 (1,780) (2,270) (2,040) (2,140)
          Non-current liabilities
 (373) (18,975) (23,329) (27,750) (29,696)
Ending balance$62,432
 $69,646
 $(20,755) $(25,599) $(29,790) $(31,836)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax): 
  
  
  
  
  
    Prior service cost (credit)$1,288
 $2,481
 $(691) $(660) $(3,716) $(4,281)
    Net (gain) loss209,606
 236,232
 427
 953
 (17,875) (16,864)
Ending balance$210,894
 $238,713
 $(264) $293
 $(21,591) $(21,145)


F-43



The accumulated benefit obligation of the qualified pension plans was $736.2 million and $743.5 million at August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation of the non-qualified pension plans was $18.6 million and $20.6 million at August 31, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

Information for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below:
 For the Years Ended August 31,
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Projected benefit obligation$20,755
 $28,177
Accumulated benefit obligation18,586
 23,221
Fair value of plan assets
 2,203

A significant assumption for pension plan accounting is the discount rate. Historically, we have selected a discount rate each year (as of our fiscal year-end measurement date) for our plans based upon a high-quality corporate bond yield curve for which the cash flows from coupons and maturities match the year-by-year projected benefit cash flows for our pension plans. The corporate bond yield curve is comprised of high-quality fixed income debt instruments available at the measurement date. At August 31, 2016, we made the determination to use an individual spot-rate approach, discussed below. This alternative approach focuses on measuring the service cost and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost by using individual spot rates derived from a high-quality corporate bond yield curve and matched with separate cash flows for each future year instead of a single weighted-average discount rate approach.

As of August 31, 2016, we changed the method used to estimate the service and interest cost components of net periodic benefit cost for pension and other post-retirement benefits. This change in methodology has and is expected to continue to result in a decrease in the service and interest cost components for the pension and other post-retirement benefit costs. We historically estimated these service and interest cost components utilizing a single weighted-average discount rate derived from the yield curve used to measure the benefit obligation at the beginning of the period. Beginning in fiscal 2017, we elected to utilize a full-yield curve approach in the determination of these components by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. We elected to make this change to provide a more precise measurement of service and interest costs by improving the correlation between projected benefit cash flows to the corresponding spot yield curve rates. This change does not affect the measurement of our total benefit obligations at August 31, 2016, the net periodic cost recognized in fiscal 2016 or the ultimate benefit payment that must be made in the future. We have accounted for this change as a change in accounting estimate and, accordingly, have accounted for it on a prospective basis.

F-44



Components of net periodic benefit costs for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are as follows:
 
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit costs: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Service cost$39,677
 $42,149
 $37,533
 $548
 $1,206
 $1,035
 $943
 $1,160
 $1,412
  Interest cost24,007
 22,999
 30,773
 711
 843
 1,406
 908
 930
 1,709
  Expected return on assets(48,159) (48,235) (48,055) 
 
 
 
 
 
  Settlement of retiree obligations
 
 
 (112) (30) 
 
 
 
  Prior service cost (credit) amortization1,437
 1,540
 1,606
 30
 19
 228
 (565) (565) (120)
  Actuarial loss (gain) amortization18,073
 22,869
 19,016
 61
 546
 692
 (1,224) (798) (464)
Net periodic benefit cost$35,035
 $41,322
 $40,873
 $1,238
 $2,584
 $3,361
 $62
 $727
 $2,537
Weighted-average assumptions to determine the net periodic benefit cost: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Discount rate3.80% 3.60% 4.20% 3.53% 3.28% 4.20% 3.56% 3.30% 4.20%
  Expected return on plan assets5.75% 5.75% 6.00% N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
 N/A
  Rate of compensation increase5.08% 5.60% 4.90% 5.08% 5.60% 4.90% N/A
 N/A
 N/A
Weighted-average assumptions to determine the benefit obligations: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Discount rate4.23% 3.80% 3.60% 4.09% 3.53% 3.28% 4.13% 3.56% 3.30%
  Rate of compensation increase5.14% 5.08% 5.60% 5.14% 5.08% 5.60% N/A
 N/A
 N/A

Components of net periodic benefit costs and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 are as follows:
 
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Other comprehensive income (loss) 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Prior service cost (credit)$244
 $
 $411
 $
 $
 $(1,044) $
 $
 $(4,495)
  Net actuarial loss (gain)(8,553) (16,044) 17,712
 (578) (6,345) (655) (2,234) (5,427) (2,290)
  Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)(18,073) (22,869) (19,016) (61) (546) (692) 1,224
 798
 464
  Amortization of prior service costs (credit)(1,437) (1,540) (1,606) (30) (19) (228) 565
 565
 120
  Settlement of retiree obligations (a)
 
 
 112
 30
 
 
 
 
Total recognized in other comprehensive income$(27,819) $(40,453) $(2,499) $(557) $(6,880) $(2,619) $(445) $(4,064) $(6,201)
(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to net earnings

The estimated amortization in fiscal 2019 from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost is as follows:
 
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Other
Benefits
 (Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)$190
 $(75) $(556)
Amortization of net actuarial (gain) loss12,266
 2
 (1,629)

For measurement purposes, a 7.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for the year ended August 31, 2018. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5% by 2027 and remain at that level thereafter.


F-45



Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
 1% Increase 1% Decrease
 (Dollars in thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components$230
 $(200)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation2,400
 (2,100)

We provide defined life insurance and health care benefits for certain retired employees and Board of Directors participants. The plan is contributory based on years of service and family status, with retiree contributions adjusted annually.

F-26

Table of Contents
We did not contribute to the qualified pension plans
    Financial information on changes in fiscal 2018. Based on theprojected benefit obligation, plan assets funded and balance sheet status as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, is as follows:
Qualified
Pension Benefits
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
 202020192020201920202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Change in benefit obligation:      
Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period$876,696 $767,184 $19,047 $20,755 $31,098 $29,790 
Service cost42,151 38,592 405 311 1,050 1,053 
Interest cost21,722 28,396 429 747 747 1,094 
Actuarial loss (gain)6,265 (9,606)1,382 76 (2,286)(2,596)
Assumption change40,694 102,441 775 1,841 1,275 3,398 
Plan amendments18 
Settlements(615)(2,130)(3,975)
Benefits paid(69,526)(49,714)(725)(708)(1,568)(1,641)
Projected benefit obligation at end of period$918,002 $876,696 $19,183 $19,047 $30,316 $31,098 
Change in plan assets:      
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period$909,427 $829,616 $$$$
Actual gain on plan assets90,241 90,139 
Company contributions46,400 40,001 2,855 4,683 1,568 1,641 
Settlements(615)(2,130)(3,975)
Benefits paid(69,526)(49,714)(725)(708)(1,568)(1,641)
Fair value of plan assets at end of period$976,542 $909,427 $$$$
Funded status at end of period$58,540 $32,731 $(19,183)$(19,047)$(30,316)$(31,098)
Amounts recognized on balance sheet:      
Noncurrent assets$58,540 $32,731 $$$$
Accrued benefit cost:
Current liabilities(1,660)(1,580)(2,090)(2,040)
Noncurrent liabilities(17,523)(17,467)(28,226)(29,058)
Ending balance$58,540 $32,731 $(19,183)$(19,047)$(30,316)$(31,098)
Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax):      
Prior service cost (credit)$938 $1,117 $(502)$(616)$(2,715)$(3,160)
Net loss (gain)225,983 244,164 3,813 2,151 (15,064)(15,445)
Ending balance$226,921 $245,281 $3,311 $1,535 $(17,779)$(18,605)

    The accumulated benefit obligation of the qualified pension plans as ofwas $871.6 million and $833.2 million at August 31, 2018, we do not believe we will be required to contribute to these plans in fiscal2020 and 2019, although we may voluntarily elect to do so. We expect to pay $3.8 million to participantsrespectively. The accumulated benefit obligation of the non-qualifiednonqualified pension plans was $18.2 million and postretirement benefit plans during fiscal $16.9 million at August 31, 2020 and 2019,. respectively.


Our retiree benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:
 
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
Gross
 (Dollars in thousands)
2019$66,528
 $1,780
 $2,040
202062,320
 1,670
 2,260
202161,279
 1,750
 2,400
202262,877
 2,230
 2,590
202364,573
 1,840
 2,720
2024-2028328,313
 9,270
 12,690

We have trusts that hold the assets    Information for the definedpension plans with an accumulated benefit plans. CHS has a qualifiedobligation in excess of plan committee that sets investment guidelines with the assistanceassets is set forth below:
Years Ended August 31,
20202019
(Dollars in thousands)
Projected benefit obligation$19,183 $19,047 
Accumulated benefit obligation18,172 16,907 
F-27

    Components of net periodic benefit costs for the plans' assetsyears ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:
optimization
Qualified
Pension Benefits
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
 202020192018202020192018202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Components of net periodic benefit costs:         
Service cost$42,151 $38,592 $39,677 $405 $311 $548 $1,050 $1,053 $943 
Interest cost21,722 28,396 24,007 429 747 711 747 1,094 908 
Expected return on assets(46,684)(44,968)(48,159)
Settlement of retiree obligations51 191 (112)
Prior service cost (credit) amortization178 190 1,437 (114)(75)30 (445)(556)(565)
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization21,583 12,348 18,073 98 61 (1,392)(1,627)(1,224)
Net periodic benefit cost (benefit)$38,950 $34,609 $35,035 $818 $1,176 $1,238 $(40)$(36)$62 
Weighted-average assumptions to determine the net periodic benefit cost:         
Discount rate3.06 %4.23 %3.80 %2.70 %4.09 %3.53 %2.89 %4.08 %3.56 %
Expected return on plan assets5.50 %5.50 %5.75 %N/AN/AN/AN/AN/AN/A
Rate of compensation increase5.28 %5.14 %5.08 %5.28 %5.14 %5.08 %N/AN/AN/A
Weighted-average assumptions to determine the benefit obligations:         
Discount rate2.67 %3.06 %4.23 %2.15 %2.70 %4.09 %2.43 %2.89 %4.13 %
Rate of compensation increase4.99 %5.28 %5.14 %4.99 %5.28 %5.14 %N/AN/AN/A

    Components of net periodic benefit costs and amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:
Qualified
Pension Benefits
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
 202020192018202020192018202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Other comprehensive loss (income):         
Prior service cost$$18 $244 $$$$$$
Net actuarial loss (gain)3,401 47,556 (8,553)2,157 1,917 (578)(1,011)801 (2,234)
Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss(21,583)(12,307)(18,073)(98)(2)(61)1,392 1,627 1,224 
Amortization of prior service (credit) costs(178)(190)(1,437)114 75 (30)445 556 565 
Settlement of retiree obligations (a)(397)(191)112 
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)$(18,360)$35,077 $(27,819)$1,776 $1,799 $(557)$826 $2,984 $(445)
(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) to net earnings.

    Estimated amortization in fiscal 2021 from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost is as follows:
Qualified
Pension Benefits
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
Other
Benefits
 (Dollars in thousands)
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)$178 $(114)$(445)
Amortization of actuarial loss (gain)21,790 212 (1,365)

    A significant assumption for pension costs and obligations is the discount rate. We utilize a full-yield curve approach by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the long-term returns on plan assetsbenefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. The discount rate reflects the rate at an acceptable level of risk;
maintenance of a broad diversification across asset classes and among investment managers; and
focus on long-term return objectives.

Asset allocation targets promote optimal expected return and volatility characteristics givenwhich the long-term time horizon for fulfilling the obligationsassociated benefits could be effectively settled as of the pension plans. Our pension plans' investment policy strategy is suchmeasurement date. In estimating this rate, we look at rates of return on fixed-income investments of similar duration to the liabilities in the plans that liabilities match assets. This is being accomplished throughreceive high investment-grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies.

For measurement purposes, a 7.1% annual rate of increase in the asset portfolio mixper capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for the year ended August 31, 2020. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5% by reducing volatility2027 and de-risking the plans. The plans’ target allocation percentages range between 45% and 65% for fixed income securities, and range between 35% and 55% for equity securities. remain at that level thereafter.
F-28

An annual analysis of the risk versus the return of the investment portfolio is conducted to justify the expected long-term rate of return assumption. We generally use long-term historical return information for the targeted asset mix identified in asset and liability studies. Adjustments are made to the expected long-term rate of return assumption, when deemed necessary, based upon revised expectations of future investment performance of the overall investment markets.


The discount rate reflects    Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the rate at whichamounts reported for the associated benefits could be effectively settledhealth care plans. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:
1% Increase1% Decrease
 (Dollars in thousands)
Effect on total of service and interest cost components$200 $(170)
Effect on postretirement benefit obligation2,100 (1,800)

    Contributions depend primarily on market returns on the pension plan assets and minimum funding level requirements. During fiscal 2020, we made a discretionary contribution of $46.4 million to the pension plans. Based on the funded status of the qualified pension plans as of August 31, 2020, we do not believe we will be required to contribute to these plans in fiscal 2021, although we may voluntarily elect to do so. We expect to pay $3.8 million to participants of the measurement date. In estimating this rate, we looknonqualified pension and postretirement benefit plans during fiscal 2021.

    Our retiree benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:
 Qualified
Pension Benefits
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
Other Benefits
 (Dollars in thousands)
2021$75,700 $1,660 $2,090 
202265,900 1,840 2,280 
202363,500 1,840 2,470 
202464,700 1,620 2,450 
202565,300 1,820 2,450 
2026-2030326,700 8,010 9,790 

    We have trusts that hold the assets for the defined benefit plans. CHS has a qualified plan committee that sets investment guidelines with the assistance of external consultants. Investment objectives for the plans' assets are as follows:
Optimization of the long-term returns on plan assets at ratesan acceptable level of risk;
Maintenance of broad diversification across asset classes and among investment managers; and
Focus on long-term return on fixed-income investmentsobjectives.

    Asset allocation targets promote optimal expected return and volatility characteristics given the long-term time horizon for fulfilling the obligations of similar duration to the liabilities in the plans that receive high, investment-grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies.

pension plans. The investment portfolio contains a diversified portfolio of investment categories, including domestic and international equities, fixed-income securities and real estate. Securities are also diversified in terms of domestic and international securities, shortshort- and long-term securities, growth and value equities, large and small cap stocks, as well as active and passive management styles. Our pension plans' investment policy strategy is such that liabilities match assets. This is being accomplished through the asset portfolio mix by reducing volatility and de-risking the plans. The plans' target allocation percentages range between 45% and 65% for fixed income securities and range between 35% and 55% for equity securities.


The qualified plan committee believes that with prudent risk tolerance and asset diversification, the plans should be able to meet pension obligations in the future.
    

F-46F-29

Table of Contents



Our pension plans’plans' recurring fair value measurements by asset category at August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, are presented in the tables below:
 2020
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$57,801 $$$57,801 
Equities:    
Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)
219,050 
Fixed income securities:    
Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)
603,250 
Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1)
94,400 
Other assets measured at net asset value (1)
2,041 
Total$57,801 $$$976,542 
 2018
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$7,424
 $
 $
 $7,424
Equities: 
  
  
  
   Mutual funds692
 
 
 692
   Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

 
 
 216,962
Fixed income securities: 
  
  
  
   Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

 
 
 500,637
Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1)

 
 
 101,954
Other assets measured at net asset value (1)

 
 
 1,947
Total$8,116
 $
 $
 $829,616


 2019
 Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$7,938 $$$7,938 
Equities:    
Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)
209,860 
Fixed income securities:    
Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)
0��574,296 
Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1)
101,641 
Other assets measured at net asset value (1)
15,692 
Total$7,938 $$$909,427 
 2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$9,988
 $
 $
 $9,988
Equities: 
  
  
  
   Mutual funds459
 
 
 459
   Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

 
 
 231,228
Fixed income securities: 
  
  
  
   Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

 
 
 535,185
Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1)

 
 
 96,994
Other assets measured at net asset value (1)

 
 
 1,966
Total$10,447
 $
 $
 $875,820
(1)In accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurements,Measurement, certain assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the tables above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the statement of net assets.


Definitions for valuation levels are found in Note 14, 16, Fair Value Measurements. We use the following valuation methodologies for assets measured at fair value.


Mutual funds:  Valued at quoted market prices, which are based on the net asset value of shares held by the plan at year end. Mutual funds traded in active markets are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Mutual funds measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement.

Common/Collective Trusts:collective trusts. Common/collective trusts primarily consist of equity and fixed income funds and are valued using other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, referenced indices, quoted prices in inactive markets, adjusted quoted prices in active markets, adjusted quoted prices on foreign equity securities that were adjusted in accordance with pricing procedures approved by the trust, etc.). Common/collective trust investments can be redeemed daily and without restriction. Redemption of the entire investment balance generally requires a 45- to 60-day notice period. The equity funds provide exposure to large, mid and small cap U.S. equities, international large and small cap equities and emerging market equities. The fixed income funds provide exposure to U.S., international and emerging market debt securities. Common/collective trusts measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement.



F-47



Partnership and joint venture interests:interests. Valued at the net asset value of shares held by the plan at year endyear-end as a practical expedient for fair value. The net asset value is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the trust, minus its liabilities, then divided by the number of units outstanding. Redemptions of these interests generally require a 45- to 60-day notice period. Partnerships and joint venture interests measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement.


Other assets:assets. Other assets primarily includesinclude real estate funds and hedge funds held in the asset portfolio of our U.S. defined benefit pension plans. Other funds measured at fair value using the net asset value per share practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy in accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement.


We are one of approximately 400 employers that contribute to the Co-op Retirement Plan ("Co-op Plan"), which is a defined benefit plan constituting a “multiple"multiple employer plan”plan" under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and a “multiemployer plan”
F-30

"multiemployer plan" under the accounting standards. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects:

Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers;

If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and

If we choose to stop participating in the multiemployer plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The withdrawal liability associated with the multiemployer plan was approximately $46.0 million as of August 31, 2020.


Our participation in the Co-op Plan for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 20162018, is outlined in the table below:
Contributions of CHS
(Dollars in thousands)
Plan NameEIN/Plan Number202020192018Surcharge ImposedExpiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
Co-op Retirement Plan01-0689331 / 001$1,455 $1,712 $1,662 N/AN/A
    Contributions of CHS    
    (Dollars in thousands)    
Plan Name EIN/Plan Number 2018 2017 2016 Surcharge Imposed Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement
Co-op Retirement Plan 01-0689331 / 001 $1,662
 $1,653
 $1,862
 N/A N/A


Our contributions for the years stated above did not represent more than 5% of total contributions to the Co-op Plan as indicated in the Co-op Plan's most recently available annual report (Form 5500).


Provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA") do not apply to the Co-op Plan because there is a special exemption for cooperative plans if the plan is maintained by more than one employer and at least 85% of the employers are rural cooperatives or cooperative organizations owned by agricultural producers. In the Co-op Plan, a “zone status”"zone status" determination is not required, and therefore not determined. In addition, the accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employers. The most recent financial statements available in 20182020 and 20172019 are for the Co-op Plan's year-end at March 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, respectively. In total, the Co-op Plan was at least 80% funded on those dates based on the total plan assets and accumulated benefit obligations.


Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the Co-op Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation of the plan and may change as a result of plan experience.


In addition to the contributions to the Co-op Plan listed above, total contributions to individually insignificant multi-employer pension plans were immaterial in fiscal 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016.2018.


We have other contributory defined contribution plans covering substantially all employees. Total contributions by us to these plans were $24.7$34.5 million, $19.9$31.0 million and $29.5$24.7 million, for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively.



F-48



Note 1214        Segment Reporting


We are an integrated agricultural enterprise, providing grain, foods and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global basis. We provide a wide variety of products and services, from initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrients and crop protection products, to agricultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, grain and oilseed processing and food products, and the production and marketing of ethanol. We define our operating segments in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting, to reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance and allocates resources in managing the business. We have aggregated those operating segments into three3 reportable segments: Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production.


Our Energy segment produces and provides primarily for the wholesale distribution of petroleum products and transportation of those products. Our Ag segment purchases and further processes or resells grains and oilseeds originated by our country operations business, by our member cooperatives and by third parties; serves as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs; and produces and markets ethanol. Our Nitrogen Production segment consists solely of our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen, which was completed in February 2016 and which entitles us, pursuant to a supply agreement that we entered with CF Nitrogen, to purchase up to a specified annual quantity of granular urea and UAN annually from CF Nitrogen. The addition of the Nitrogen Production segment had no impact on historically reported segment results and balances as this segment came into existence in fiscal 2016. There were no changes to the composition of our Energy or Ag segments as a result of the addition of the Nitrogen Production segment. Corporate and Other primarily represents our non-consolidated wheat milling operationsfinancing and packaged food joint ventures, as well as our business solutions operations,hedging
F-31

Table of Contents

businesses, which primarily consists of a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission-regulated futures commission merchant for commodities hedging, financial services related to crop production, and insurance which was disposed of in May 2018. Our investmentnonconsolidated investments in Ventura Foods isand Ardent Mills are also included in our Corporate and Other category.


Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each businessreportable segment, andalong with Corporate and Other, based on direct usageuse for services, that can be tracked, such as information technology and legal, and other factors or considerations relevant to the costs incurred.
    
Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and operating results vary throughout the year. For example, in our Ag segment, our crop nutrients and country operations businessesbusiness generally experienceexperiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and induring the fall which corresponds to harvest.harvest season and our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season. Our global grain marketing operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and earnings based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usage is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, may experience higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and crop dryingcrop-drying seasons.


Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices for commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grains, oilseeds, crop nutrients and flour. Changes in market prices for commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including the weather, crop damage due to plant disease or insects, drought, the availability and adequacy of supply, availability of a reliable rail and river transportation network, outbreaks of disease, government regulations and policies, world events,global trade disputes, and general political and economic conditions.


While our revenues and operating results are derived primarily from businesses and operations whichthat are wholly-owned or subsidiaries and majority-owned,limited liability companies in which we have a controlling interest, a portion of our business operations are conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests of 50% or less andor do not control the operations. We account for these investments primarily using the equity method of accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share of income or loss reported by the entity as equity income from investments, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In our Ag segment, this principally includes our 50% ownership in TEMCO. In our Nitrogen Production segment, this consists of our approximate 10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. In Corporate and Other, this principally includes our 50% ownership in Ventura Foods and our 12% ownership in Ardent Mills. See Note 5, 6, Investments, for more information related to CF Nitrogen, Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills.


Reconciling amounts represent the elimination of revenues between segments. Such transactions are executed at market prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of the individual business segments.


F-49F-32

Table of Contents



Segment information for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 20162018 is presented in the tables below. The fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 results for our Ag segment include results associated with our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own on March 1, 2019, which were not included in our fiscal 2018 results. Refer to further details related to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own within Note 20, Acquisitions.
EnergyAgNitrogen ProductionCorporate
and Other
Reconciling
Amounts
Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2020     
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$5,820,154 $22,940,712 $$55,567 $(410,068)$28,406,365 
Intersegment revenues(389,020)(14,613)(6,435)410,068 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$5,431,134 $22,926,099 $$49,132 $$28,406,365 
Operating earnings (loss)219,861 82,543 (33,497)8,358 277,265 
Gain on disposal of business(211)(1,239)(1,450)
Interest expense308 71,682 45,255 11,806 (12,074)116,977 
Other income(3,005)(35,349)(2,635)(9,510)12,074 (38,425)
Equity income from investments(2,759)(7,303)(127,954)(48,699)(186,715)
Income before income taxes$225,317 $53,724 $51,837 $56,000 $$386,878 
Capital expenditures175,169 158,903 84,287 418,359 
Depreciation and amortization245,983 196,510 34,882 477,375 
Total assets as of August 31, 20204,447,526 6,325,857 2,681,616 2,538,948 15,993,947 

EnergyAgNitrogen ProductionCorporate
and Other
Reconciling
Amounts
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2019
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$7,581,450 $24,736,425 $$68,710 $(486,132)$31,900,453 
Intersegment revenues(462,374)(16,353)(7,405)486,132 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$7,119,076 $24,720,072 $$61,305 $$31,900,453 
Operating earnings (loss)615,662 65,181 (35,046)13,805 659,602 
Gain on disposal of business(3,886)(3,886)
Interest expense5,719 101,386 55,226 11,684 (6,950)167,065 
Other income(5,548)(70,888)(2,769)(10,168)6,950 (82,423)
Equity income from investments(2,697)(4,447)(160,373)(69,238)(236,755)
Income before income taxes$618,188 $43,016 $72,870 $81,527 $$815,601 
Capital expenditures268,877 110,197 64,142 443,216 
Depreciation and amortization233,624 208,294 31,293 473,211 
Total assets as of August 31, 20194,401,793 6,415,580 2,730,306 2,899,815 16,447,494 

F-33
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2018: 
  
    
  
  
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$8,068,717
 $25,052,395
 $
 $64,516
 $(502,281) $32,683,347
Operating earnings (loss)390,092
 95,883
 (20,619) (8,270) 
 457,086
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(65,862) (7,707) 
 (58,247) 
 (131,816)
Interest expense14,627
 94,256
 50,499
 (7,712) (2,468) 149,202
Other (income) loss(7,718) (66,316) (3,061) (3,388) 2,468
 (78,015)
Equity (income) loss from investments(3,063) 1,392
 (106,895) (44,949) 
 (153,515)
Income (loss) before income taxes$452,108
 $74,258
 $38,838
 $106,026
 $
 $671,230
Intersegment revenues$(479,598) $(14,914) $
 $(7,769) $502,281
 $
Capital expenditures$248,207
 $77,962
 $
 $29,243
 $
 $355,412
Depreciation and amortization$230,230
 $218,716
 $
 $29,104
 $
 $478,050
Total assets as of August 31, 2018$4,168,239
 $6,534,777
 $2,758,668
 $2,919,494
 $
 $16,381,178
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2017:
(As restated)
           
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$6,620,680
 $25,738,740
 $
 $95,414
 $(417,408) $32,037,426
Operating earnings (loss)75,138
 (268,946) (18,430) 38,212
 
 (174,026)
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 2,190
 
 
 
 2,190
Interest expense18,365
 71,986
 48,893
 33,250
 (1,255) 171,239
Other (income) loss(1,164) (65,684) (30,534) (3,824) 1,255
 (99,951)
Equity (income) loss from investments(3,181) (7,277) (66,530) (60,350) 
 (137,338)
Income (loss) before income taxes$61,118
 $(270,161) $29,741
 $69,136
 $
 $(110,166)
Intersegment revenues$(392,842) $(20,312) $
 $(4,254) $417,408
 $
Capital expenditures$260,543
 $146,139
 $
 $37,715
 $
 $444,397
Depreciation and amortization$223,229
 $232,443
 $
 $24,551
 $
 $480,223
Total assets as of August 31, 2017$4,290,618
 $6,359,058
 $2,781,610
 $2,387,636
 $
 $15,818,922

 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2016:
(As restated)
           
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$5,743,882
 $24,896,354
 $
 $92,725
 $(377,701) $30,355,260
Operating earnings (loss)246,105
 36,649
 (6,193) 15,882
 
 292,443
Interest expense(22,244) 82,085
 34,437
 30,647
 (11,221) 113,704
Other (income) loss(287) (53,044) 
 (5,499) 11,221
 (47,609)
Equity (income) loss from investments(4,739) (7,644) (74,700) (88,694) 
 (175,777)
Income (loss) before income taxes$273,375
 $15,252
 $34,070
 $79,428
 $
 $402,125
Intersegment revenues$(335,003) $(40,336) $
 $(2,362) $377,701
 $
Capital expenditures$376,841
 $260,865
 $
 $55,074
 $
 $692,780
Depreciation and amortization$193,525
 $230,172
 $
 $23,795
 $
 $447,492

F-50

Table of Contents



EnergyAgNitrogen ProductionCorporate
and Other
Reconciling
Amounts
Total
(Dollars in thousands)
For the year ended August 31, 2018
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$8,068,717 $25,052,395 $$64,516 $(502,281)$32,683,347 
Intersegment revenues(479,598)(14,914)(7,769)502,281 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$7,589,119 $25,037,481 $$56,747 $$32,683,347 
Operating earnings (loss)388,112 93,728 (20,619)(8,857)452,364 
Gain on disposal of business(65,862)(7,707)(58,247)(131,816)
Interest expense14,627 94,256 50,499 (7,712)(2,468)149,202 
Other income(9,698)(68,471)(3,061)(3,975)2,468 (82,737)
Equity (income) loss from investments(3,063)1,392 (106,895)(44,949)(153,515)
Income before income taxes$452,108 $74,258 $38,838 $106,026 $$671,230 
Capital expenditures248,207 77,962 29,243 355,412 
Depreciation and amortization230,230 218,716 29,104 478,050 


We have international sales, which are predominantly in our Ag segment. The following table presents our sales, based on the geographic locations in whichlocation of the sales originated, forsubsidiary making the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016:
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
North America$29,475,724
 $29,068,842
 $26,571,367
South America1,569,330
 1,441,316
 1,847,284
Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA)536,501
 652,308
 878,407
Asia Pacific (APAC)1,101,792
 874,960
 1,058,202
Total$32,683,347
 $32,037,426
 $30,355,260

Included in North American revenues are revenues from the United States of $29.5 billion, $29.0 billion and $26.5 billionsale, for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016, respectively.2018:

202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
North America (a)
$25,360,077 $27,896,269 $29,475,724 
South America1,559,380 2,027,020 1,569,330 
Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)774,068 895,472 536,501 
Asia Pacific (APAC)712,840 1,081,692 1,101,792 
Total$28,406,365 $31,900,453 $32,683,347 
(a) Revenues in North America are substantially all attributed to revenues from the United States.

Long-lived assets include our property, plant and equipment, capitalfinance lease assets and capitalized major maintenance costs. The following table presents long-lived assets by geographical region:region based on physical location:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
United States$5,121,315 $5,295,752 
International65,134 79,846 
Total$5,186,449 $5,375,598 

 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
United States$5,185,572
 $5,359,270
International86,927
 102,170
Total$5,272,499
 $5,461,440


Note 1315        Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities


Our    We enter into various derivative instruments to manage our exposure to movements primarily consist ofassociated with agricultural and energy commodity and forward contractsprices and, to a minorlesser degree, may include foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Except for certain interest rate swap contracts. These contractsswaps and certain pay-fixed, receive-variable, cash-settled swaps related to future crude oil purchases, which are accounted for as fair value hedges and cash flow hedges, respectively, our derivative instruments represent economic hedges of price risk but we do not applyfor which hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging, except with respect to certain interest rate swap contracts which are accounted for as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges as described below. Derivativeis not applied. Rather, the derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as describedwith changes in fair value being recorded directly to earnings, primarily within cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 14, 16, Fair Value Measurements,.for additional information. The majority of our exchange traded agricultural commodity futures are settled daily through CHS Hedging, our wholly-owned futures commission merchant.


The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. WeAlthough we have certain netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain
F-34

Table of Contents

over-the-counter ("OTC") contracts, we have elected not to offsetreport our derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offsetinstruments on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting; or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - OverallOffsetting.
August 31, 2020
Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
Gross Amounts RecognizedCash CollateralDerivative InstrumentsNet Amounts
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets
Commodity derivatives$327,493 $— $2,980 $324,513 
Foreign exchange derivatives11,809 — 9,385 2,424 
Embedded derivative asset18,998 — 18,998 
Total$358,300 $— $12,365 $345,935 
Derivative Liabilities
Commodity derivatives$343,343 $956 $5,578 $336,809 
Foreign exchange derivatives69,466 9,385 60,081 
Total$412,809 $956 $14,963 $396,890 
 August 31, 2018
   Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting  
 Gross Amounts Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amounts
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:       
Commodity derivatives$313,033
 $
 $26,781
 $286,252
Foreign exchange derivatives15,401
 
 8,703
 6,698
Embedded derivative asset23,595
 
 
 23,595
Total$352,029
 $
 $35,484
 $316,545
Derivative Liabilities:       
Commodity derivatives$421,054
 $12,983
 $26,781
 $381,290
Foreign exchange derivatives24,701
 
 8,703
 15,998
Total$445,755
 $12,983
 $35,484
 $397,288


August 31, 2019
Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
Gross Amounts RecognizedCash CollateralDerivative InstrumentsNet Amounts
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets
Commodity derivatives$215,030 $— $58,726 $156,304 
Foreign exchange derivatives10,334 — 7,108 3,226 
Embedded derivative asset21,364 — 21,364 
Total$246,728 $— $65,834 $180,894 
Derivative Liabilities
Commodity derivatives$223,410 $4,191 $41,647 $177,572 
Foreign exchange derivatives20,609 7,108 13,501 
Total$244,019 $4,191 $48,755 $191,073 
F-51

Table of Contents



 August 31, 2017 (As Restated)
   Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting  
 Gross Amounts Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amounts
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:       
Commodity derivatives$215,349
 $
 $34,912
 $180,437
Foreign exchange derivatives8,779
 
 3,636
 5,143
Embedded derivative asset25,533
 
 
 25,533
Total$249,661
 $
 $38,548
 $211,113
Derivative Liabilities:       
Commodity derivatives$293,330
 $3,898
 $34,912
 $254,520
Foreign exchange derivatives19,931
 
 3,636
 16,295
Total$313,261
 $3,898
 $38,548
 $270,815

Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities of less than 12 months are recorded in derivativeother current assets and derivativeother current liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities greater than 12 months are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of long-term derivative assets, excluding derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges, recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, was $23.1$21.2 million and $30.9$26.6 million, respectively. The amount of long-term derivative liabilities, excluding derivatives accounted for as fair value hedges, recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, was $7.9$5.4 million and $12.3$7.4 million, respectively.


F-35

Table of Contents

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments


The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016.2018.
Derivative TypeLocation of
Gain (Loss)
202020192018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivativesCost of goods sold$89,248 $125,323 $162,321 
Foreign exchange derivativesCost of goods sold(184,692)4,228 (26,010)
Foreign exchange derivativesMarketing, general and administrative expenses(2,986)(1,229)596 
Interest rate derivativesInterest expense(1,226)(1)
Embedded derivativeOther income2,634 2,769 3,061 
Total $(97,022)$131,091 $139,967 
 
Location of
Gain (Loss)
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 
(As Restated)
2016
   (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivativesCost of goods sold $162,321
 $168,569
 $(67,014)
Foreign exchange derivativesCost of goods sold (26,010) (13,140) (10,904)
Foreign exchange derivativesMarketing, general and administrative 596
 (1,604) (97)
Interest rate derivativesInterest expense (1) 8
 (6,292)
Embedded derivativeOther income (loss) 3,061
 30,533
 
Total  $139,967
 $184,366
 $(84,307)


Commodity Contracts:Contracts


When we enter a commodity purchase or sales commitment, we are exposed to risks related to price changes and performance, including delivery, quality, quantity and shipment period. If market prices decrease, we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventory and purchase contracts with a fixed or partially fixed price. Conversely, we are exposed to risk of loss on our fixed or partially fixed price sales contracts if market prices increase.


Our use of hedging reduces the exposure to price volatility by protecting against adverse short-term price movements, but it also limits the benefits of favorable short-term price movements. To reduce the price risk associated with fixed price commitments, we generally enter into commodity derivative contracts, to the extent practical, to achieve a net commodity position within the formal position limits we have established and deemed prudent for each commodity. These contracts are primarily transacted on regulated commodity futures exchanges, but may also include over-the-counter derivative instruments when deemed appropriate. For commodities where there is no liquid derivative contract, risk is managed using forward sales

F-52

Table of Contents


contracts, other pricing arrangements and, to some extent, futures contracts in highly correlated commodities. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. The contracts are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair values based on quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges or the market prices of the underlying products listed on the exchanges, except that fertilizer and certain propane contracts are accounted for as normal purchase and normal sales transactions. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
When a futures position is established, initial margin must be deposited with the applicable exchange or broker. The amount of margin required varies by commodity and is set by the applicable exchange at its sole discretion. If the market price relative to a short futures position increases, an additional margin deposit would be required. Similarly, a margin deposit would be required if the market price relative to a long futures position decreases. Conversely, if the market price increases relative to a long futures position or decreases relative to a short futures position, margin deposits may be returned by the applicable exchange or broker.
Our policy is to manage our commodity price risk exposure according to internal policespolicies and in alignment with our tolerance for risk. Our profitability from operations is primarily derived from margins on products sold and grain merchandised, not from hedging transactions. At any one time, inventory and purchase contracts for delivery to us may be substantial. We have risk management policies that include established net position limits. These limits are defined for each commodity and business unit and may include both trader and management limits as appropriate. The limits policy is managed within each individual business unit to ensure any limits overage is explained and exposures reduced, or a temporary limit increase is established if needed. The position limits are reviewed at least annually with our senior leadership and the Board of Directors. We monitor current market conditions and may expand or reduce our net position limits in response to changes in those conditions. In addition, all purchase and sales contracts are subject to credit approvals and appropriate terms and conditions.
The use of hedging instruments does not protect against nonperformance by counterparties to cash contracts. We evaluate counterparty exposure by reviewing contracts and adjusting the values to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty’scounterparty's financial condition and the risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different than the current market prices. We manage these risks by entering into fixed price purchase and sales contracts with preapproved producers and by establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed price contracts are entered into
F-36

Table of Contents

with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. Regarding our use of derivatives, we primarily transact in exchange traded instruments or enter into over-the-counter derivatives that clear through a designated clearing organization, which limits our counterparty exposure relative to hedging activities. Historically, we have not experienced significant events of nonperformance on open contracts. Accordingly, we only adjust the estimated fair values of specifically identified contracts for nonperformance. Although we have established policies and procedures, we make no assurances that historical nonperformance experience will carry forward to future periods.
As of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, we had outstanding commodity futures and options contracts that were used as economic hedges, as well as fixed-price forward contracts related to physical purchases and sales of commodities. The table below presents the notional volumes for all outstanding commodity contracts accounted for as derivative instruments.contracts.
 20202019
Derivative TypeLongShortLongShort
 (Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed (bushels)664,673 892,303 547,096717,522
Energy products (barrels)10,028 6,570 13,8954,663
Processed grain and oilseed (tons)657 3,304 5972,454
Crop nutrients (tons)74 127 7623
Ocean freight (metric tons)1,140 95 29585
Natural gas (MMBtu)130 
 2018 
(As Restated)
2017
 Long Short Long Short
 (Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels715,866
 929,873
 569,243
 767,110
Energy products - barrels17,011
 8,329
 15,072
 18,252
Processed grain and oilseed - tons1,064
 2,875
 299
 2,347
Crop nutrients - tons11
 76
 9
 15
Ocean freight - metric tons227
 45
 160
 198
Natural gas - MMBtu610
 
 500
 


F-53

Table of Contents



Foreign Exchange Contracts


We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S. dollars, but we are exposed to risks relating to foreign currency fluctuations primarily due to global grain marketing transactions in South America, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, and purchases of products from Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Although CHS has some risk exposure relating to foreign currency transactions, a larger impact with exchange rate fluctuations is the ability of foreign buyers to purchase U.S. agricultural products and the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products compared to the same products offered by alternative sources of world supply. The notional amounts of our foreign exchange derivative contracts were $988.8 million$1.2 billion and $776.7$894.7 million as of August 31, 2018,2020 and August 31, 2017,2019, respectively.


Embedded Derivative Asset


Under the terms of our strategic investment in CF Nitrogen, if the CF Industries'Industries credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit ratings agencies, we are entitled to receive a non-refundablenonrefundable annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries. These payments will continue on an annual basis until the date thatthe CF Industries'Industries credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of the three specified credit ratings agencies or February 1, 2026, whichever is earlier.
During    Since the first quarter of fiscal 2017, CF Industries'Industries credit rating was reduced below the specified levels during fiscal 2017, we have received an annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries. Gains totaling $2.6 million, $2.8 million and we recorded a gain of $29.1$3.1 million were recognized in other income (loss) in our Consolidated StatementStatements of Operations and received a $5.0 million payment from CF Industries. A total gain of $30.5 million was recognized in relation to the embedded credit derivative during fiscal 2017. During2020, fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018, we received a second $5.0 million payment from CF Industries.respectively. The fair value of the embedded derivative asset recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2018,2020, was equal to $23.6$19.0 million. The current and long-term portions of the embedded derivative asset are included in derivativeother current assets and other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet, respectively. See Note 14, 16, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information regarding the valuation of the embedded derivative asset.
    
Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedging Strategies


Fair Value Hedges


    During the year ended August 31, 2020, we exited all our interest rate swaps resulting in a $16.4 million gain, which is being amortized over the life of the fixed-rate debt for which the swaps had previously been designated as fair value hedges, through fiscal 2025. As of August 31, 2018, and 2017,2019, we had outstanding interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $495.0$365.0 million designated as fair value hedges of portions of our fixed-rate debt that is due between fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2025.debt. Our objective in entering into these transactions iswas to offset changes in the fair value of the debt associated with the risk of variability in the three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR interest rate, ("LIBOR"), in essence converting the fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. Under these interest rate swaps, we receivereceived fixed-rate interest payments and makemade interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR. Offsetting changes in the
F-37

Table of Contents

fair values of both the swap instruments and the hedged debt arewere recorded contemporaneously each period and only createcreated an impact to earnings to the extent that the hedge iswas ineffective.


The following table presents the fair value of our derivative interest rate swap instruments designated as fair value hedges and the line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017.2019.
20202019
Balance Sheet LocationDerivative Assets
(Dollars in thousands)
Other assets$$9,841 
  2018 

2017
   2018 

2017
Balance Sheet Location Derivative Assets Balance Sheet Location Derivative Liabilities
  (Dollars in thousands)   (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative assets $
 $
 Derivative liabilities $771
 $
Other assets 
 9,978
 Other liabilities 8,681
 707
Total $
 $9,978
 Total $9,452
 $707


F-54

Table of Contents



The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016.2018.
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging RelationshipsLocation of
Gain (Loss)
202020192018
(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate swapsInterest expense$(1,897)$21,158 $18,723 
Hedged itemInterest expense1,897 (21,158)(18,723)
Total$$$
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Relationships: 
Location of
Gain (Loss)
 2018 2017 2016
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $18,723
 $12,806
 $(9,842)
Hedged item Interest expense (18,723) (12,806) 9,842
Total $
 $
 $


The following table provides the location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017.2019.
August 31, 2020August 31, 2019
Balance Sheet LocationCarrying Amount of Hedged LiabilitiesCumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged LiabilitiesCarrying Amount of Hedged LiabilitiesCumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities
(Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt$$$334,389 $30,611 
  August 31, 2018 August 31, 2017
Balance Sheet Location Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities
  (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt $485,548
 $9,452
 $504,271
 $(9,271)


Cash Flow Hedges


In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, our Energy segment entered intobegan designating certain of its pay-fixed, receive-variable, cash-settled swaps designated as cash flow hedges of future crude oil purchases. We also entered intobegan designating certain pay-variable, receive-fixed, cash-settled swaps designated as cash flow hedges of future refined product sales. These hedging instruments and the related hedged items are exposed to significant market price risk and potential volatility. As part of our risk management strategy, we look to hedge a portion of our expected future crude oil needs and the resulting refined product output based on prevailing futures prices, management's expectations about future commodity price changes and our risk appetite. As of August 31, 2018,2020 and 2019, the notional amount, the fair value and the amounts recorded in other comprehensive income relating to these cash flow hedges were immaterial. There were no outstanding cash flow hedges as of August 31, 2017.

In fiscal 2015, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $300.0cash flow hedges was 9.7 million and 7.7 million barrels, respectively.

    The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges ofand the expected variability of future interest paymentsline items on our anticipated issuanceConsolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded as of fixed-rate debt. During the first quarter of fiscal 2016, we determined that certain of the anticipated debt issuances would be delayed;August 31, 2020 and we consequently recorded an immaterial amount of losses on the ineffective portion of the related swaps in earnings. Additionally, we paid $6.4 million in cash to settle two of the interest rate swaps upon their scheduled termination dates. During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we settled an additional two interest rate swaps, paying $5.3 million in cash upon their scheduled termination. In January 2016, we issued the fixed-rate debt associated with these swaps and will amortize the amounts which were previously deferred to other comprehensive income into earnings over the life of the debt. The amounts to be included in earnings are not expected to be material during any 12-month period. During the third quarter of fiscal 2016, we settled the remaining two interest rate swaps, paying $5.1 million in cash upon their scheduled termination. We did not issue additional fixed-rate debt as previously planned, and we reclassified all amounts previously recorded to other comprehensive income into earnings.2019.

Derivative AssetsDerivative Liabilities
Balance Sheet Location20202019Balance Sheet Location20202019
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Other current assets$34,052 $33,179 Other current liabilities$8,821 $5,351 

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016:2018:
202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivatives$(2,596)$27,650 $178 

F-38
  2018 2017 2016
  (Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives $178
 $
 $(10,070)


F-55

Table of Contents



The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into incomeour Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016:2018:
Location of
Gain (Loss)
202020192018
  (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivativesCost of goods sold$23,807 $11,497 $

 
Location of
Gain (Loss)
 2018 2017 2016
   (Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivativesInterest expense $(1,704) $(1,742) $(5,071)


Note 1416        Fair Value Measurements


ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date.


We determine fair values of derivative instruments and certain other assets, based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC Topic 820 describes three levels within its hierarchy that may be used to measure fair value, and our assessment of relevant instruments within those levels is as follows:


Level 1:1. Values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These assets and liabilities may include exchange-traded derivative instruments, Rabbi Trustrabbi trust investments, deferred compensation investments and available-for-sale investments.


Level 2:2. Values are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. These assets and liabilities include interest rate, foreign exchange and commodity swaps; forward commodity contracts with a fixed price component; and other OTC derivatives whose value is determined with inputs that are based on exchange traded prices, adjusted for location specific inputs that are primarily observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data.


Level 3:3. Values are generated from unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are a significant component of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. These unobservable inputs would reflect our own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing related assets or liabilities. Valuation techniques might include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow models or similar techniques.


The following tables present assets and liabilities, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine these fair values. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is a significant component of the fair value measurement. The lowest level of input is considered Level 3. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels.



F-56
F-39

Table of Contents



Recurring fair value measurements at August 31, 2018,2020 and 2017,2019, are as follows:
2020
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Assets    
Commodity derivatives$5,762 $355,783 $$361,545 
Foreign currency derivatives11,523 11,523 
Deferred compensation assets47,669 47,669 
Embedded derivative asset18,998 18,998 
Segregated investments85,950 85,950 
Other assets5,276 5,276 
Total$144,657 $386,304 $$530,961 
Liabilities    
Commodity derivatives$6,037 $346,126 $$352,163 
Foreign currency derivatives69,467 69,467 
Total$6,037 $415,593 $$421,630 
 2018
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Assets: 
  
    
    Commodity derivatives$54,487
 $259,359
 $
 $313,846
    Foreign currency derivatives
 15,401
 
 15,401
    Deferred compensation assets39,073
 
 
 39,073
    Embedded derivative asset
 23,595
 
 23,595
    Other assets5,334
 
 
 5,334
Total$98,894
 $298,355
 $
 $397,249
Liabilities: 
  
    
    Commodity derivatives$31,778
 $389,911
 $
 $421,689
    Foreign currency derivatives
 24,701
 
 24,701
    Interest rate swap derivatives
 9,452
 
 9,452
Total$31,778
 $424,064
 $
 $455,842


 2019
Quoted Prices in Active Markets
for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Assets    
Commodity derivatives$67,817 $180,392 $$248,209 
Foreign currency derivatives10,339 10,339 
Interest rate swap derivatives— 9,841 — 9,841 
Deferred compensation assets40,368 40,368 
Embedded derivative asset21,364 21,364 
Segregated investments77,777 — — 77,777 
Other assets6,519 6,519 
Total$192,481 $221,936 $$414,417 
Liabilities    
Commodity derivatives$40,305 $188,455 $$228,760 
Foreign currency derivatives20,701 20,701 
Total$40,305 $209,156 $$249,461 

 2017 (As Restated)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Assets: 
  
    
    Commodity derivatives$48,483
 $166,866
 $
 $215,349
    Foreign currency derivatives
 8,779
 
 8,779
    Interest rate swap derivatives
 9,978
 
 9,978
    Deferred compensation assets52,414
 
 
 52,414
    Deferred purchase price receivable
 
 548,602
 548,602
    Embedded derivative
 25,533
 
 25,533
    Other assets14,846
 
 
 14,846
Total$115,743
 $211,156
 $548,602
 $875,501
Liabilities: 
  
    
    Commodity derivatives$31,190
 $262,140
 $
 $293,330
    Foreign currency derivatives
 19,931
 
 19,931
    Interest rate swap derivatives
 707
 
 707
Total$31,190
 $282,778
 $
 $313,968

Commodity and foreign currency derivativesderivatives. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Our forward commodity purchase and sales contracts with fixed-price components, select ocean freight contracts and other OTC derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location specific inputs, and are classified within Level 2. The location specificLocation-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand and are generally based on broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold.

Interest rate swap derivativesderivatives. Fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives are determined utilizing valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value these OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contracts, as

F-57

Table of Contents


well as market observable inputs, such as interest rates and credit risk assumptions, are factored into the models. As all significant inputs are market observable, all interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2. Changes in the fair values of contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of
F-40

Table of Contents

Operations as a component of interest expense. As of August 31, 2020, all interest rate swaps were unwound. See Note 13, 15, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information about interest rates swaps designated as fair value and cash flow hedges.


Deferred compensation and other assetsassets. Our deferred compensation investments Rabbi Trustconsist primarily of rabbi trust assets and available-for-sale investments in common stock of other companiesthat are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices on active exchanges and are classified within Level 1. Changes in the fair values of these other assets are primarily recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses.


Embedded derivative assetasset. The embedded derivative asset relates to contingent payments inherent to our investment in CF Nitrogen. The inputs used in the fair value measurement include the probability of future upgrades and downgrades of the CF Industries'Industries credit rating based on historical credit rating movements of other public companies and the discount rates applied to potential annual payments based on applicable historical and current yield coupon rates. Based on these observable inputs, our fair value measurement is classified within Level 2. See Note 13, 15, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information.


Deferred purchase price receivable — As described in Note 3, Receivables our Securitization Facility was amended during fiscal 2018 such that no DPP receivable remained as    Segregated investments. Our segregated investments are comprised of August 31, 2018. The fair value of the DPP receivable as of August 31, 2017, was included in receivables, netU.S. Treasury securities, which are valued using quoted market prices and other assets, and was determined by discounting the expected cash flows to be received. The expected cash flows were primarily based on unobservable inputs consisting of the face amount of the Receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses. Due to the use of significant unobservable inputs in the pricing model, including management's assumptions related to anticipated credit losses, the DPP receivable was classified as awithin Level 3 fair value measurement. A reconciliation of the DPP receivable for the years ended August 31, 2018, and 2017, is included in Note 3, Receivables.1.


Note 1517        Commitments and Contingencies


Environmental


We are required to comply with various environmental laws and regulations incidental to our normal business operations. To meet our compliance requirements, we establish reserves for the probable future costs of remediation ofassociated with identified issues whichthat are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of environmental costs are based on current available facts, existing technology, undiscounted site-specific costs and currently enacted laws and regulations and are included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries, if any, are recorded in the period in which recovery is received. Liabilities are monitored and adjusted as new facts or changes in law or technology occur. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.
    
Other Litigation and Claims


We are involved as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of our business. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.


Guarantees


We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, non-consolidatednonconsolidated companies. Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $122.3$127.9 million were outstanding on August 31, 2018.2020. We have collateral for a portion of these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a liability related to the contingent obligations as we do not expect to pay out any cash related to them, and the fair values are considered immaterial. The underlying loans to the counterparties for which we provide these guarantees are current as of August 31, 2018.2020.


Credit Commitments
    
CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there is no violation of any condition established in the contracts. As of August 31, 2018,2020, CHS Capital’sCapital customers have additional available credit of $706.3$714.5 million.







F-58
F-41

Table of Contents



Lease Commitments

We lease certain property, plant and equipment used in our operations under both capital and operating lease agreements. Many leases contain renewal options and escalation clauses. Our operating leases, which are primarily for rail cars, equipment, vehicles and office space have remaining terms of one to 19 years. Total rental expense for operating leases was $88.5 million, $81.3 million and $74.7 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, respectively.

On November 30, 2017, we completed a sale-leaseback transaction for our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Simultaneous with the closing of the sale of the building we entered into a 20-year operating lease arrangement with respect to the building, with base annual rent of approximately $3.4 million during the first year, followed by annual increases of 2% through the remainder of the lease period.
We lease certain rail cars, equipment, vehicles and other assets under capital lease arrangements. These assets are included in property, plant and equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets while the corresponding capital lease obligations are included in long-term debt. See Note 6, Property, Plant and Equipment and Note 8, Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt for more information about capital leases.

Minimum future lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases as of August 31, 2018, are as follows:
 (Dollars in thousands)
2019$103,800
202050,653
202141,428
202229,733
202322,648
Thereafter103,800
Total minimum future lease payments$352,062

Unconditional Purchase Obligations


Unconditional purchase obligations are commitments to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices. Our long-term unconditional purchase obligations primarily relate to pipeline and grain handling take-or-pay and through-putthroughput agreements and are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2018,2020, minimum future payments required under long-term commitments that are noncancelable, and that third parties have used to secure financing for the facilities that will provide the contracted goods, are as follows:
 Payments Due by Period
Total20212022202320242025Thereafter
 (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term unconditional purchase obligations$544,203 $78,939 $58,214 $58,592 $58,262 $52,702 $237,494 
 Payments Due by Period
 Total 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Thereafter
 (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term unconditional purchase obligations$639,010
 $54,631
 $57,152
 $57,523
 $57,947
 $58,372
 $353,385


Total payments under these arrangements were $61.4$77.6 million, $70.5$70.8 million and $88.0$61.4 million for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016,2018, respectively.


Gain Contingency

As of August 31, 2018, a gain contingency resulted from applying ASC Topic 450-30, Gain Contingencies, to the facts and circumstances surrounding the potential for certain excise tax credits associated with manufacturing changes within our Energy business. The resulting gain, if recognized, will likely have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.



F-59

Table of Contents


Note 16        Supplemental Cash Flow and Other Information

Additional information concerning supplemental disclosures of cash flow activities for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016, is included in the table below.
 2018 2017 
(As Restated)
2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net cash paid during the period for: 
  
  
Interest$148,874
 $160,040
 $147,089
Income taxes13,410
 14,571
 5,184
Other significant noncash investing and financing transactions: 
  
  
Notes receivable reacquired under Securitization Facility615,089
 
 
Trade receivables reacquired under Securitization Facility402,421
 
 
Securitized debt reacquired under Securitization Facility634,000
 
 
Deferred purchase price receivable extinguished under Securitization Facility386,900
 
 
Notes receivable sold under Securitization Facility
 747,345
 
Securitized debt extinguished under Securitization Facility
 554,000
 
Deferred purchase price receivable recognized under Securitization Facility
 547,553
 
Land and improvements received for notes receivable
 138,699
 
Capital expenditures and major repairs incurred but not yet paid53,453
 22,490
 44,307
Capital lease obligations incurred396
 6,832
 23,921
Capital equity certificates redeemed with preferred stock
 19,985
 76,756
Capital equity certificates issued in exchange for Ag acquisitions
 2,928
 19,089
Accrual of dividends and equities payable153,941
 12,121
 162,439


Note 1718        Related Party Transactions


Related party transactions with    We purchase and sell grain and other agricultural commodity products from certain equity investees, primarily CF Nitrogen, TEMCO,Ventura Foods, Ardent Mills and Ventura FoodsTEMCO, LLC. Sales to and purchases from related parties for the years ended August 31, 2018, 2017,2020, 2019 and 2016, respectively, and balances as of August 31, 2018,, and 2017, respectively, are as follows:
202020192018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Sales$2,528,921 $2,628,670 $2,928,984 
Purchases872,819 901,812 2,505,185 
 2018 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Sales$2,928,984
 $3,183,944
 $2,728,793
Purchases2,505,185
 2,610,887
 1,707,990


    Receivables due from and payables due to related parties as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:
20202019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Due from related parties$129,397 $26,785 
Due to related parties53,602 60,156 
 2018 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Due from related parties$31,063
 $33,119
Due to related parties52,284
 39,232


As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers and ranchers and their member cooperatives, which are referred to as members. We buy commodities from and provide products and services to our members. Individually, our members do not have a significant ownership in CHS.


Note 18    Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)19        Leases


    We adopted ASC Topic 842 on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we used the additional optional transition method and package of practical expedients in the period of adoption without retrospective adjustment to previous periods presented, although we elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient. As further describeda result of using the additional optional transition method and following a modified retrospective approach, prior periods have not been restated, and a $25.3 million cumulative-effect adjustment, including the deferred income tax impact, was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition of previously deferred gains associated with the sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building located in Note 2, RestatementInver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Our accounting for finance leases (previously referred to as capital leases) remains substantially unchanged; however, adoption of Previously IssuedASC Topic 842 resulted in recognition of operating lease right of use assets and associated lease liabilities of $268.4 million and $267.0 million, respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements, of Operations or Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

    We assess arrangements at inception to determine whether they contain a lease. An arrangement is considered to contain a lease if it conveys the previously reported financialright to control the use of an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset must include both (a) the right to obtain substantially all economic benefits associated with an identified asset and (b) the right to direct how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. Certain arrangements provide us with the right to use an identified asset; however, most of these arrangements are not considered to represent a lease as we do
F-42

Table of Contents

not control how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. For example, our supply agreements, warehousing and distribution services agreements, and transportation services agreements generally do not contain leases.

    We lease property, plant and equipment used in our operations primarily under operating lease agreements and, to a lesser extent, under finance lease agreements. Our operating leases are primarily for railcars, equipment, vehicles and office space, many of which contain renewal options and escalation clauses. Renewal options are included as part of the right of use asset and liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the renewal option; however, renewal options are generally not included as we are not reasonably certain to exercise such options.

    Operating lease right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases are recognized at the lease commencement date for leases in excess of 12 months based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. For measurement and classification of lease agreements, lease and nonlease components are grouped into a single lease component for all asset classes. Variable lease payments are excluded from measurement of right of use assets and liabilities and generally include payments for nonlease components such as maintenance costs, payments for leased assets beyond their noncancelable lease term and payments for other nonlease components such as sales tax. The discount rate used to calculate present value is our collateralized incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is determined for each lease based primarily on its lease term. Certain lease arrangements include rental payments adjusted annually based on changes in an inflation index. Our lease arrangements generally do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

    Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The components of lease expense recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
Year Ended
August 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating lease expense$71,541 
Finance lease expense:
Amortization of assets8,205 
Interest on lease liabilities1,060 
Short-term lease expense15,991 
Variable lease expense3,674 
Total net lease expense*$100,471 
*Income related to sub-lease activity is not material and has been excluded from the table above.
























F-43

Table of Contents

    Supplemental balance sheet information for the quarters ended November 30, 2017related to operating and 2016, February 28, 2018finance leases is as follows:

Balance Sheet LocationAugust 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Operating leases
Assets
Operating lease right of use assetsOther assets$257,834 
Liabilities
Current operating lease liabilitiesAccrued expenses57,200 
Long-term operating lease liabilitiesOther liabilities203,691 
Total operating lease liabilities$260,891 
Finance leases
Assets
Finance lease assetsProperty, plant and equipment$44,860 
Liabilities
Current finance lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of long-term debt7,993 
Long-term finance lease liabilitiesLong-term debt23,467 
Total finance lease liabilities$31,460 
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)
Operating leases8.3
Finance leases6.0
Weighted average discount rate
Operating leases3.11 %
Finance leases3.33 %

    Supplemental cash flow and 2017, May 31, 2018other information related to operating and 2017, andfinance leases is as follows:

Year Ended
August 31, 2020
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases$71,003 
Operating cash flows from finance leases1,060 
Financing cash flows from finance leases7,949 
Supplemental noncash information:
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities56,461 
Right of use asset modifications7,333 


F-44

Table of Contents

    Maturities of lease liabilities as of August 31, 2017, have been restated. Relevant restated financial2020, were as follows:
August 31, 2020
Finance LeasesOperating Leases
(Dollars in thousands)
Fiscal 2021$8,845 $64,379 
Fiscal 20227,017 50,398 
Fiscal 20236,053 40,269 
Fiscal 20243,443 32,195 
Fiscal 20252,046 23,034 
Thereafter7,933 95,553 
Total maturities of lease liabilities35,337 305,828 
Less amounts representing interest3,877 44,937 
Present value of future minimum lease payments31,460 260,891 
Less current obligations7,993 57,200 
Long-term obligations$23,467 $203,691 

Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption of New Lease Standard

    The following pertains to previously disclosed information for the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2018 is included in thisour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, which incorporates information about leases now in the tables that follow. The unaudited interim financialscope of ASC Topic 842. Total rental expense for operating leases was $113.3 million, $88.5 million and $81.3 million for the years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Various leases under capital lease totaled $62.7 million and $50.0 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accumulated amortization on assets under capital leases was $20.6 million and $18.9 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Minimum future lease payments required under noncancelable capital and operating leases as of August 31, 2019, were as follows:

August 31, 2019
Finance LeasesOperating Leases
(Dollars in thousands)
Fiscal 2020$6,761 $87,168 
Fiscal 20216,199 57,381 
Fiscal 20225,021 43,665 
Fiscal 20234,548 34,328 
Fiscal 20242,638 26,793 
Thereafter6,517 92,653 
Total minimum future lease payments31,684 $341,988 
Less amount representing interest3,445 
Present value of net minimum lease payments$28,239 

F-60
F-45

Table of Contents



Note 20        Acquisitions
statements reflect all adjustments which are,
    On March 1, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD, a full-service wholesale distributor of agronomy products that operates primarily in the opinionUnited States. The purchase price was equal to $113.4 million, including $6.7 million that was previously paid and $106.7 million paid on March 1, 2019, of management, necessarywhich the net cash flows were reduced by $8.0 million of cash acquired. Prior to completing this acquisition and through February 28, 2019, we had a 25% ownership interest in WCD, which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting whereby we shared in the economics of WCD earnings on a fair statementpro-rata basis. Related party transactions through the date of the resultsacquisition have been included within Note 18, Related Party Transactions. By acquiring the remaining ownership interest in WCD, we were able to expand our agronomy platform, position ourselves as a leading supply partner to cooperatives and retailers serving growers throughout the United States and add value for our owners. The WCD enterprise value was determined using a discounted cash flow model in which the fair value of the business was estimated based on the earning capacity of WCD. We estimated the fair value of the previously held equity interest to be equal to 25% of the total fair value of WCD, which was implied based on the purchase price we paid for the interim periods presented. Although misstatements impacted individual line items within operating cash flows, the quarterly cash flow information classification between operating, investing and financing activities for these periods was not materially impacted by the misstatements and has not been presented. Restated amounts are computed independently each quarter; therefore, the sumremaining 75% interest. The acquisition-date fair value of the quarterly amounts may not equalprevious equity interest was $37.8 million and is included in the total amount for the respective year due to rounding.

F-61

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 (As Restated)
 
As of
November 30, 2017
 
As of
February 28,
 2018
 
As of
May 31,
2018
 (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS     
Current assets: 
    
Cash and cash equivalents$249,767
 $219,273
 $533,887
Receivables2,058,222
 1,836,490
 2,248,213
Inventories3,111,963
 3,676,325
 2,913,507
Derivative assets166,557
 251,048
 250,005
Margin and related deposits206,955
 188,167
 253,141
Supplier advance payments542,770
 658,815
 426,607
Other current assets270,674
 296,982
 190,680
Total current assets6,606,908
 7,127,100
 6,816,040
Investments3,777,000
 3,752,876
 3,787,163
Property, plant and equipment5,266,408
 5,179,868
 5,140,106
Other assets997,402
 943,552
 960,240
Total assets$16,647,718
 $17,003,396
 $16,703,549
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
 
 
Current liabilities:

 

 

Notes payable$2,480,264
 $3,071,639
 $2,868,506
Current portion of long-term debt71,022
 46,290
 53,056
Customer margin deposits and credit balances139,868
 106,323
 137,999
Customer advance payments413,519
 756,642
 372,590
Accounts payable2,444,650
 1,853,974
 1,898,172
Derivative liabilities207,426
 361,909
 316,831
Accrued expenses425,912
 465,032
 538,249
Dividends and equities payable121,209
 128,700
 209,718
Total current liabilities6,303,870
 6,790,509
 6,395,121
Long-term debt1,936,744
 1,915,843
 1,905,515
Long-term deferred tax liabilities348,902
 165,659
 203,208
Other liabilities315,254
 265,028
 278,869
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

Equities:

 

 

Preferred stock2,264,038
 2,264,038
 2,264,038
Equity certificates4,319,840
 4,307,292
 4,253,414
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(177,341) (167,230) (167,302)
Capital reserves1,324,372
 1,450,326
 1,559,040
Total CHS Inc. equities7,730,909
 7,854,426
 7,909,190
Noncontrolling interests12,039
 11,931
 11,646
Total equities7,742,948
 7,866,357
 7,920,836
Total liabilities and equities$16,647,718
 $17,003,396
 $16,703,549

F-62

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 (As Restated)
 
As of
November 30, 2016
 
As of
February 28,
 2017
 
As of
May 31,
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS     
Current assets: 
    
Cash and cash equivalents$516,646
 $276,137
 $266,748
Receivables3,034,083
 2,767,150
 2,767,967
Inventories3,143,551
 3,730,682
 2,688,949
Derivative assets277,498
 233,429
 206,187
Margin and related deposits312,899
 290,291
 251,695
Supplier advance payments476,907
 701,705
 431,433
Other current assets187,524
 196,237
 265,469
Total current assets7,949,108
 8,195,631
 6,878,448
Investments3,828,899
 3,802,379
 3,841,749
Property, plant and equipment5,443,079
 5,404,347
 5,405,651
Other assets1,054,454
 1,056,873
 955,532
Total assets$18,275,540
 $18,459,230
 $17,081,380
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES
 
 
Current liabilities:

 

 

Notes payable$3,227,564
 $3,867,438
 $3,321,808
Current portion of long-term debt206,894
 205,136
 193,096
Customer margin deposits and credit balances180,850
 149,625
 132,479
Customer advance payments543,411
 897,464
 391,122
Accounts payable2,574,006
 1,919,421
 1,865,803
Derivative liabilities282,658
 232,507
 233,955
Accrued expenses397,446
 392,058
 436,111
Dividends and equities payable239,857
 131,380
 134,718
Total current liabilities7,652,686
 7,795,029
 6,709,092
Long-term debt1,958,907
 2,051,567
 2,046,264
Long-term deferred tax liabilities511,821
 531,522
 369,170
Other liabilities332,610
 272,532
 276,483
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

Equities:

 

 

Preferred stock2,244,132
 2,244,114
 2,264,063
Equity certificates4,194,534
 4,201,803
 4,214,657
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(224,935) (211,091) (208,568)
Capital reserves1,592,434
 1,560,498
 1,397,834
Total CHS Inc. equities7,806,165
 7,795,324
 7,667,986
Noncontrolling interests13,351
 13,256
 12,385
Total equities7,819,516
 7,808,580
 7,680,371
Total liabilities and equities$18,275,540
 $18,459,230
 $17,081,380

F-63

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 (As Restated)  
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 November 30, 2017 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 May 31, 2018 May 31, 2018 August 31, 2018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$8,031,884
 $6,980,153
 $15,012,037
 $9,087,328
 $24,099,365
 $8,583,982
Cost of goods sold7,711,057
 6,844,849
 14,555,906
 8,841,361
 23,397,267
 8,192,620
Gross profit320,827
 135,304
 456,131
 245,967
 702,098
 391,362
Marketing, general and administrative139,500
 186,713
 326,213
 161,579
 487,792
 186,291
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(3,787) (11,346) (15,133) (3,811) (18,944) (18,765)
Operating earnings (loss)185,114
 (40,063) 145,051
 88,199
 233,250
 223,836
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 (7,705) (7,705) (124,050) (131,755) (61)
Interest expense40,702
 40,176
 80,878
 49,340
 130,218
 18,984
Other (income) loss(25,014) (11,364) (36,378) (14,622) (51,000) (27,015)
Equity (income) loss from investments(38,362) (39,441) (77,803) (59,308) (137,111) (16,404)
Income (loss) before income taxes207,788
 (21,729) 186,059
 236,839
 422,898
 248,332
Income tax expense (benefit)20,606
 (187,688) (167,082) 55,219
 (111,863) 7,787
Net income (loss)187,182
 165,959
 353,141
 181,620
 534,761
 240,545
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) (48) (512) (187) (699) 98
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $187,646
 $166,007
 $353,653
 $181,807
 $535,460
 $240,447



F-64

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 (As Restated)
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 November 30, 2016 February 28, 2017 February 28, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2017 August 31, 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$8,001,904
 $7,400,773
 $15,402,677
 $8,638,410
 $24,041,087
 $7,996,339
Cost of goods sold7,655,524
 7,165,265
 14,820,789
 8,417,264
 23,238,053
 7,904,713
Gross profit346,380
 235,508
 581,888
 221,146
 803,034
 91,626
Marketing, general and administrative151,258
 160,166
 311,424
 155,347
 466,771
 145,236
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net18,357
 72,373
 90,730
 326,779
 417,509
 39,170
Operating earnings (loss)176,765
 2,969
 179,734
 (260,980) (81,246) (92,780)
(Gain) loss on disposal of business4,105
 (1,395) 2,710
 (1,224) 1,486
 704
Interest expense38,265
 39,945
 78,210
 39,201
 117,411
 53,828
Other (income) loss(44,509) (18,083) (62,592) (11,952) (74,544) (25,407)
Equity (income) loss from investments(40,328) (35,800) (76,128) (48,393) (124,521) (12,817)
Income (loss) before income taxes219,232
 18,302
 237,534
 (238,612) (1,078) (109,088)
Income tax expense (benefit)16,076
 3,685
 19,761
 (166,124) (146,363) (34,761)
Net income (loss)203,156
 14,617
 217,773
 (72,488) 145,285
 (74,327)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(208) 406
 198
 (955) (757) 123
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $203,364
 $14,211
 $217,575
 $(71,533) $146,042
 $(74,450)

F-65

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 (As Restated)  
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 November 30, 2017 February 28, 2018 February 28, 2018 May 31, 2018 May 31, 2018 August 31, 2018
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)$187,182
 $165,959
 $353,141
 $181,620
 $534,761
 $240,545
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:           
Postretirement benefit plan activity1,594
 3,142
 4,736
 3,417
 8,153
 11,913
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments3,640
 3,554
 7,194
 6,286
 13,480
 (16,628)
Cash flow hedges(4) 1,063
 1,059
 413
 1,472
 1,068
Foreign currency translation adjustment(2,211) 2,352
 141
 (10,188) (10,047) (1,974)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3,019
 10,111
 13,130
 (72) 13,058
 (5,621)
Comprehensive income190,201
 176,070
 366,271
 181,548
 547,819
 234,924
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) (48) (512) (187) (699) 98
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $190,665
 $176,118
 $366,783
 $181,735
 $548,518
 $234,826
 (As Restated)
 Three Months Ended Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Three Months Ended
 November 30, 2016 February 28, 2017 February 28, 2017 May 31, 2017 May 31, 2017 August 31, 2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)$203,156
 $14,617
 $217,773
 $(72,488) $145,285
 $(74,327)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:           
Postretirement benefit plan activity3,239
 3,724
 6,963
 3,636
 10,599
 22,103
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments777
 968
 1,745
 (118) 1,627
 2,758
Cash flow hedges654
 964
 1,618
 375
 1,993
 249
Foreign currency translation adjustment(18,075) 8,187
 (9,888) (1,369) (11,257) 3,098
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(13,405) 13,843
 438
 2,524
 2,962
 28,208
Comprehensive income189,751
 28,460
 218,211
 (69,964) 148,247
 (46,119)
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(208) 406
 198
 (955) (757) 123
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $189,959
 $28,054
 $218,013
 $(69,009) $149,004
 $(46,242)


F-66

Table of Contents


Reclassifications

Amounts previously included within (gain) loss on investments were reclassified into other (income) loss to conform to the current period presentation. This reclassification had no impact on our previously reported net income, cash flows or shareholders' equity and represents reclassifications for the periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, and February 28, 2018 and 2017. The reclassifications included a $2.8 million gain reclassification during the three months ended November 30, 2017, a $4.1 million gain reclassification during the three months ended February 28, 2018, a $7.4 million loss during the three months ended November 30, 2016, and a $2.9 million gain during the three months ended February 28, 2017.

Consolidated financial statement adjustment tables

The following tables present the impactsmeasurement of the restatement adjustments to the previously reported financial information for the quarterly periods ended November 30, 2017 and 2016, February 28, 2018 and 2017, May 31, 2018 and 2017, and August 31, 2017. Refer to discussion in Note 2, Restatementconsideration transferred. We recognized a gain of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements. The restatement references identified in the following tables directly correlate to the restatement adjustments detailed below. 
The categories of restatement adjustments and their impact on previously reported consolidated financial statements are described below.
(a) Freight Derivatives and Related Misstatements - Corrections for freight derivatives and related misstatements were driven by the misstatement of amounts associated with both the value and quantity of rail freight contracts, as well as due to freight contracts not meeting the technical accounting requirements to qualify as derivative financial instruments. In addition to the elimination of the underlying freight derivative assets and liabilities and related impacts on revenues and cost of goods sold, additional adjustments were recorded to account for prepaid freight capacity balances in relevant periods and the impact of a goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015 for goodwill held within our Grain Marketing reporting unit which was triggered by the lowering of earnings due to the restatement. Additional details related to the impact of the freight derivatives and related misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (a).

(b) Intercompany Misstatements - As a result of the work performed in relation to the freight misstatement, additional misstatements related to the incorrect elimination of intercompany balances were also identified and corrected within the consolidated financial statements. Certain of these intercompany misstatements resulted in a misstatement of various financial statement line items; however, the intercompany misstatements did not result in a material misstatement of income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss). Additional details related to the impact of the intercompany misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (b).

(c) Other Misstatements - We made adjustments for other previously identified misstatements unrelated to the freight derivatives and related misstatements that were not material, individually or in the aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. These other misstatements related primarily to certain misclassifications, adjustments to revenues and cost of goods sold, and adjustments to various income tax and indirect tax accrual accounts. Additional details related to the impact of the other misstatements and their impact on each period are discussed in restatement reference (c).


F-67

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 As of November 30, 2017 As of November 30, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS             
Current assets:             
Cash and cash equivalents$252,129
 $(2,362) $249,767
 $515,484
 $1,162
 $516,646
 b, c
Receivables2,059,623
 (1,401) 2,058,222
 3,052,989
 (18,906) 3,034,083
 a, b, c
Inventories3,046,101
 65,862
 3,111,963
 3,117,935
 25,616
 3,143,551
 c
Derivative assets283,256
 (116,699) 166,557
 419,103
 (141,605) 277,498
 a, c
Margin and related deposits206,955
 
 206,955
 312,899
 
 312,899
  
Supplier advance payments542,139
 631
 542,770
 480,709
 (3,802) 476,907
 b
Other current assets289,250
 (18,576) 270,674
 189,896
 (2,372) 187,524
 a, c
Total current assets6,679,453
 (72,545) 6,606,908
 8,089,015
 (139,907) 7,949,108
  
Investments3,777,000
 
 3,777,000
 3,828,899
 
 3,828,899
  
Property, plant and equipment5,266,408
 
 5,266,408
 5,443,079
 
 5,443,079
  
Other assets1,061,562
 (64,160) 997,402
 1,069,468
 (15,014) 1,054,454
 a
Total assets$16,784,423
 $(136,705) $16,647,718
 $18,430,461
 $(154,921) $18,275,540
  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES             
Current liabilities:             
Notes payable$2,480,264
 $
 $2,480,264
 $3,227,564
 $
 $3,227,564
  
Current portion of long-term debt71,022
 
 71,022
 206,894
 
 206,894
  
Customer margin deposits and credit balances139,868
 
 139,868
 180,850
 
 180,850
  
Customer advance payments414,441
 (922) 413,519
 544,266
 (855) 543,411
 b, c
Accounts payable2,380,998
 63,652
 2,444,650
 2,568,533
 5,473
 2,574,006
 a, b, c
Derivative liabilities226,279
 (18,853) 207,426
 317,505
 (34,847) 282,658
 a, c
Accrued expenses409,522
 16,390
 425,912
 389,321
 8,125
 397,446
 a, c
Dividends and equities payable121,209
 
 121,209
 275,448
 (35,591) 239,857
 b, c
Total current liabilities6,243,603
 60,267
 6,303,870
 7,710,381
 (57,695) 7,652,686
  
Long-term debt1,936,744
 
 1,936,744
 1,958,907
 
 1,958,907
  
Long-term deferred tax liabilities350,841
 (1,939) 348,902
 497,283
 14,538
 511,821
 a, c
Other liabilities315,460
 (206) 315,254
 332,610
 
 332,610
  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)             
Equities:             
Preferred stock2,264,038
 
 2,264,038
 2,244,132
 
 2,244,132
  
Equity certificates4,319,840
 
 4,319,840
 4,208,336
 (13,802) 4,194,534
 b
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(178,445) 1,104
 (177,341) (226,220) 1,285
 (224,935) a
Capital reserves1,520,218
 (195,846) 1,324,372
 1,691,603
 (99,169) 1,592,434
 a, b, c
Total CHS Inc. equities7,925,651
 (194,742) 7,730,909
 7,917,851
 (111,686) 7,806,165
  
Noncontrolling interests12,124
 (85) 12,039
 13,429
 (78) 13,351
 a
Total equities7,937,775
 (194,827) 7,742,948
 7,931,280
 (111,764) 7,819,516
  
Total liabilities and equities$16,784,423
 $(136,705) $16,647,718
 $18,430,461
 $(154,921) $18,275,540
  

F-68

Table of Contents


As of November 30, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $171.7 million reduction of total assets, a $38.6 million reduction of current liabilities, a $30.2 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $163.2 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $116.8 million of current derivative assets and a $49.2 million reduction of long-term derivative assets that had been recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as well as an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill associated with a goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015 The decreases of total assets were partially offset by related adjustments, including an $8.5 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $1.1 million prepaid freight capacity balance. The decrease of total current liabilities related primarily to a $16.5 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $22.2 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from a $30.2 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $3.4 million reduction of total assets and a $3.4 million reduction of current liabilities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. The misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $38.4 million increase of total assets, a $102.3 million increase of current liabilities, a $32.3 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $31.6 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a $67.5 million increase of inventories that resulted from a misclassification adjustment related to $67.5 million previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable. The increase related to inventories was partially offset by a $28.1 million decrease of other current assets that resulted from the reduction of prepaid income taxes associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods.

The increase of current liabilities related primarily to a $67.5 million increase of accounts payable that resulted from a misclassification adjustment for amounts previously included as a contra-inventory balance to accounts payable and a $38.6 million increase of accrued expenses. The increase of accrued expenses related to the recognition of a $24.9 million accrued income tax balance associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods, as well as the recognition of $13.7 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. Long-term liabilities decreased primarily as a result of a $32.1 million decrease of long-term deferred tax liabilities related to the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods.

The $31.6 million decrease of total equities related primarily to the impacts associated with the $20.6 million net impact on income tax accounts and the recognition of an additional $13.7 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018.

F-69

Table of Contents



As of November 30, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $145.5 million reduction of total assets, a $47.0 million reduction of current liabilities, a $15.5 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $114.0 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $141.0 million of current derivative assets that had been incorrectly recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill associated with a goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015. The decreases of total assets were partially offset by related adjustments, including a $4.0 million increase of receivables, a $5.7 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $0.9 million prepaid freight capacity balance. The decrease of total current liabilities related primarily to a $35.0 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $20.7 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement. These decreases of current liabilities were partially offset by an $8.7 million increase of accounts payable. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from a $15.5 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $73.3 million reduction of total assets, an $85.4 million reduction of current liabilities and a $12.1 million increase of total equities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. The misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $63.9 million increase of total assets, a $74.6 million increase of current liabilities, a $0.9 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $9.9 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a misclassification adjustment for $73.8 million previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable. The increased inventories were partially offset by a $48.2 million reduction of inventory related to a misclassification adjustment for certain collateral moving from inventory to receivables.

The increase of total liabilities relates primarily to a misclassification adjustment for $73.8 million previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable.

The $9.9 million decrease of total equities relates primarily to the $28.8 million net impact on income tax accounts and the recognition of $8.1 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The overall decrease in total equities was partially offset by an increase that arose from a $27.9 million timing difference for the accrual of dividends and equities payable.


F-70

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 As of February 28, 2018 As of February 28, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS             
Current assets:             
Cash and cash equivalents$190,426
 $28,847
 $219,273
 $249,801
 $26,336
 $276,137
 b, c
Receivables1,765,640
 70,850
 1,836,490
 2,697,699
 69,451
 2,767,150
 a, b, c
Inventories3,650,158
 26,167
 3,676,325
 3,752,218
 (21,536) 3,730,682
 c
Derivative assets429,625
 (178,577) 251,048
 386,613
 (153,184) 233,429
 a, c
Margin and related deposits188,167
 
 188,167
 290,291
 
 290,291
  
Supplier advance payments658,815
 
 658,815
 701,705
 
 701,705
 b
Other current assets310,674
 (13,692) 296,982
 200,288
 (4,051) 196,237
 a, c
Total current assets7,193,505
 (66,405) 7,127,100
 8,278,615
 (82,984) 8,195,631
  
Investments3,752,876
 
 3,752,876
 3,802,379
 
 3,802,379
  
Property, plant and equipment5,179,868
 
 5,179,868
 5,404,347
 
 5,404,347
  
Other assets958,613
 (15,061) 943,552
 1,072,824
 (15,951) 1,056,873
 a
Total assets$17,084,862
 $(81,466) $17,003,396
 $18,558,165
 $(98,935) $18,459,230
  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES             
Current liabilities:             
Notes payable$2,993,456
 $78,183
 $3,071,639
 $3,867,438
 $
 $3,867,438
 c
Current portion of long-term debt46,290
 
 46,290
 205,136
 
 205,136
  
Customer margin deposits and credit balances106,323
 
 106,323
 149,625
 
 149,625
  
Customer advance payments727,535
 29,107
 756,642
 871,370
 26,094
 897,464
 b, c
Accounts payable1,835,289
 18,685
 1,853,974
 1,877,040
 42,381
 1,919,421
 a, b, c
Derivative liabilities372,406
 (10,497) 361,909
 275,484
 (42,977) 232,507
 a, c
Accrued expenses459,867
 5,165
 465,032
 378,318
 13,740
 392,058
 a, c
Dividends and equities payable128,700
 
 128,700
 131,380
 
 131,380
  
Total current liabilities6,669,866
 120,643
 6,790,509
 7,755,791
 39,238
 7,795,029
  
Long-term debt1,915,843
 
 1,915,843
 2,051,567
 
 2,051,567
  
Long-term deferred tax liabilities171,844
 (6,185) 165,659
 516,681
 14,841
 531,522
 c
Other liabilities265,349
 (321) 265,028
 272,532
 
 272,532
 c
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

 

 

 

  
Equities:

 

 

        
Preferred stock2,264,038
 
 2,264,038
 2,244,114
 
 2,244,114
 b
Equity certificates4,307,292
 
 4,307,292
 4,201,803
 
 4,201,803
 a
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(168,225) 995
 (167,230) (211,442) 351
 (211,091) a
Capital reserves1,646,837
 (196,511) 1,450,326
 1,713,784
 (153,286) 1,560,498
 a, c
Total CHS Inc. equities8,049,942
 (195,516) 7,854,426
 7,948,259
 (152,935) 7,795,324
 a
Noncontrolling interests12,018
 (87) 11,931
 13,335
 (79) 13,256
  
Total equities8,061,960
 (195,603) 7,866,357
 7,961,594
 (153,014) 7,808,580
  
Total liabilities and equities$17,084,862
 $(81,466) $17,003,396
 $18,558,165
 $(98,935) $18,459,230
  


F-71

Table of Contents


As of February 28, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $183.8 million reduction of total assets, a $26.8 million reduction of current liabilities, a $28.9 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $185.9 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $179.3 million of current derivative assets which had been incorrectly recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and an approximate $16.0 million impairment of goodwill which was triggered when earnings were lowered due to the restatement. The decrease of total assets was partially offset by a related adjustment to increase prepaid income taxes by $9.7approximately $19.1 million as a result of remeasuring our prior equity interest in WCD held before the income tax impactacquisition of the freight misstatement.remaining 75% interest. The decreasegain is included in other (income) loss in our Consolidated Statements of total current liabilities related primarilyOperations.

    Allocation of the purchase price for this transaction resulted in goodwill of $61.4 million, which is nondeductible for tax purposes, and definite-lived intangible assets of $47.2 million. As this acquisition is not considered to have a $7.1 million reductionmaterial impact on our financial statements, pro forma results of current derivative liabilitiesoperations are not presented. The acquisition resulted in fair value measurements that are not on a recurring basis and did not have a $19.7 million reductionmaterial impact on our consolidated results of operations. Purchase accounting has been finalized and fair values assigned to the net assets acquired are as follows:
(Dollars in thousands)
Cash$8,033 
Other current assets708,764 
Property, plant and equipment44,064 
Goodwill61,358 
Other intangible assets47,200 
Other non-current assets55 
Liabilities(718,262)
Total net assets acquired$151,212 

    Operating results for WCD are included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations from the day of the acquisition on March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2020. WCD revenues and income before income taxes payable resulting fromwere $569.2 million and $19.0 million, respectively, for the income tax effectyear ended August 31, 2020, and $456.2 million and $12.9 million, respectively, for the year ended August 31, 2019. Due to the timing of the freight misstatement. The increase of long-term liabilities was primarily attributable to the $28.9 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities was related primarily to the elimination of derivative assets and liabilities from the Consolidated Balance Sheet as described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $5.6 million reduction of total assets and a $5.6 million reduction of current liabilities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. These misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $108.0 million increase of total assets, a $153.1 million increase of current liabilities, a $35.4 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $9.7 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a $28.8 million increase of cash that resulted from a timing difference for the application of in-transit cash and a $78.2 million increase of receivables and notes payable related to a participation arrangement that did not meet certain criteria for off-balance sheet treatment. As a result, both receivables and notes payable were increased by $78.2 million.

The increase of current liabilities related primarily to the $78.2 million increase of receivables and notes payable in a participation arrangement that did not meet certain criteria for off-balance sheet treatment, a $29.1 million increase of customer advance payments that resulted from a timing difference related to the application of in-transit cash and a$27.9 million increase of accounts payable that had previously been included as a contra-inventory balance. Long-term liabilities decreased primarily due to the recognition of long-term deferred tax liabilities of $35.1 million related to the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods.

The $9.7 million decrease of total equities relates primarily to the $14.1 million net impact on income tax accounts, which was partially offset by a $4.5 million increase related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives.

F-72

Table of Contents


As of February 28, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $160.3 million reduction of total assets, a $61.3 million reduction of current liabilities, a $15.8 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $114.7 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $153.0 million of current derivative assets that were incorrectly recorded as assets on the Consolidate Balance Sheet and an approximate $16.0 million impairment of goodwill recorded in fiscal 2015 associated with lower earnings as a result of the restatement. The overall decrease of total assets was partially offset by related adjustments, including a $6.4 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $0.6 million prepaid freight capacity balance. The decrease of total current liabilities related primarily to a $43.0 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $20.7 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement, which were partially offset by the recognition of a $2.3 million accounts payable balance. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from the $15.8 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $4.9 million reduction of total assets and a $4.9 million reduction of current liabilities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. These misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $66.3 million increase of total assets, a $105.5 million increase of current liabilities, a $0.9 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $38.3 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a $24.8 million increase of cash that resulted from a timing difference for the application of in-transit cash and a $47.7 million increase of inventory with a corresponding increase to accounts payable as a result of a misclassification adjustment for certain items previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable. The increase of inventory was offset by a $48.2 million reduction of inventory that resulted from a misclassification adjustment for certain collateral being classified as receivables rather than inventory.

The increase of current liabilities related primarily to the $47.7 million increase of accounts payable as a result of a misclassification adjustment for certain items previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable, a $26.1 million increase of customer advance payments that resulted from a timing difference for the application in-transit cash and $34.4 million increase of accrued expenses. The increase of accrued expenses related to the recognition of a $20.7 million accrued income tax balance associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2017 and other periods and the recognition of $13.7 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018.

The $38.3 million decrease of total equities related primarily to the impacts associated with the $24.4 million net impact on income tax accounts and the recognition of $13.7 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018.

F-73

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
 As of May 31, 2018 As of May 31, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
ASSETS             
Current assets:             
Cash and cash equivalents$533,887
 $
 $533,887
 $267,229
 $(481) $266,748
 b, c
Receivables2,198,211
 50,002
 2,248,213
 2,722,325
 45,642
 2,767,967
 a, b, c
Inventories2,940,907
 (27,400) 2,913,507
 2,684,087
 4,862
 2,688,949
 c
Derivative assets483,794
 (233,789) 250,005
 388,188
 (182,001) 206,187
 a, c
Margin and related deposits253,141
 
 253,141
 251,695
 
 251,695
  
Supplier advance payments426,607
 
 426,607
 431,433
 
 431,433
 b
Other current assets198,078
 (7,398) 190,680
 255,236
 10,233
 265,469
 a, c
Total current assets7,034,625
 (218,585) 6,816,040
 7,000,193
 (121,745) 6,878,448
  
Investments3,787,163
 
 3,787,163
 3,841,749
 
 3,841,749
  
Property, plant and equipment5,140,106
 
 5,140,106
 5,409,151
 (3,500) 5,405,651
  
Other assets973,885
 (13,645) 960,240
 970,704
 (15,172) 955,532
 a
Total assets$16,935,779
 $(232,230) $16,703,549
 $17,221,797
 $(140,417) $17,081,380
  
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES             
Current liabilities:             
Notes payable$2,819,086
 $49,420
 $2,868,506
 $3,321,808
 $
 $3,321,808
  
Current portion of long-term debt53,056
 
 53,056
 193,096
 
 193,096
  
Customer margin deposits and credit balances137,999
 
 137,999
 132,479
 
 132,479
  
Customer advance payments372,616
 (26) 372,590
 390,576
 546
 391,122
 b, c
Accounts payable1,904,819
 (6,647) 1,898,172
 1,809,868
 55,935
 1,865,803
 a, b, c
Derivative liabilities344,973
 (28,142) 316,831
 284,212
 (50,257) 233,955
 a, c
Accrued expenses538,249
 
 538,249
 422,371
 13,740
 436,111
 a, c
Dividends and equities payable209,718
 
 209,718
 134,718
 
 134,718
  
Total current liabilities6,380,516
 14,605
 6,395,121
 6,689,128
 19,964
 6,709,092
  
Long-term debt1,905,515
 
 1,905,515
 2,046,264
 
 2,046,264
  
Long-term deferred tax liabilities207,912
 (4,704) 203,208
 350,966
 18,204
 369,170
  
Other liabilities279,303
 (434) 278,869
 276,483
 
 276,483
  
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)

 

 

 

 

 

  
Equities:

 

 

     

  
Preferred stock2,264,038
 
 2,264,038
 2,264,063
 
 2,264,063
 b
Equity certificates4,253,414
 
 4,253,414
 4,214,657
 
 4,214,657
 a
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(169,726) 2,424
 (167,302) (209,700) 1,132
 (208,568) a, b, c
Capital reserves1,803,078
 (244,038) 1,559,040
 1,577,469
 (179,635) 1,397,834
  
Total CHS Inc. equities8,150,804
 (241,614) 7,909,190
 7,846,489
 (178,503) 7,667,986
 a
Noncontrolling interests11,729
 (83) 11,646
 12,467
 (82) 12,385
  
Total equities8,162,533
 (241,697) 7,920,836
 7,858,956
 (178,585) 7,680,371
  
Total liabilities and equities$16,935,779
 $(232,230) $16,703,549
 $17,221,797
 $(140,417) $17,081,380
  





F-74

Table of Contents


As of May 31, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $229.3 million reduction of total assets, a $50.5 million reduction of current liabilities, a $30.4 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $209.2 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $233.9 million of current derivative assets that had been recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill associated with a goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015. The decreases of total assets were partially offset by related adjustments, including an $11.1 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement and the recognition of a $7.5 million prepaid freight capacity balance. The decrease of total current liabilities related primarily to a $25.6 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $24.9 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from a $30.4 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements resulted in a $6.9 million reduction of total assets and a $6.9 million reduction of current liabilities due to different practices of eliminating intercompany balances between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. These misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $3.9 million increase of total assets, a $72.0 million increase of current liabilities, a $35.5 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $32.5 million decrease of total equities.

The increase of total assets related primarily to a $49.4 million increase of receivables and notes payable for a participation arrangement that did not meet certain criteria for off-balance sheet treatment. The increase of receivables was mostly offset by an $18.8 million decrease of inventories that resulted from the overstatement of inventories following the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning softwareacquisition during the third quarter of fiscal 2018 and a $24.5 million reduction of prepaid income taxes as a result of the income tax effects associated with the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods.

The increase of current liabilities resulted primarily from the $49.4 million increase of notes payable associated with the participation agreement described above, as well as the recognition of a $24.9 million accrued income tax balance due2019, WCD's results prior to the income tax effects of the other misstatements. The decrease of long-term liabilities related primarily to a $35.1 million decrease of long-term deferred tax liabilities related to the correction of other misstatements identified during fiscal 2018 and other periods.

The decrease of total equities related primarily to the $14.1 million net impact on income tax accounts and the $18.8 million timing difference adjustment associated with the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning software during the third quarter of fiscal 2018.

As of May 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements

(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $181.6 million reduction of total assets, a $64.0 million reduction of current liabilities, a $19.1 million increase of long-term liabilities and a $136.8 million reduction of total equities. The reduction of total assets related primarily to the elimination of $181.8 million of current derivative assets that had been recorded as assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet and an approximate $16.0 million reduction of goodwill associated with a goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015. The decreases of total assetsacquisition were partially offset by related adjustments, including a $12.9 million increase of prepaid income taxes resulting from the income tax impact of the freight misstatement, the recognition of a $2.0 million prepaid freight capacity balance and the recognition of a $0.5 million receivable. The decrease of total current

F-75

Table of Contents


liabilities related primarily to a $50.3 million reduction of current derivative liabilities and a $20.7 million reduction of income taxes payable resulting from the income tax effect of the freight misstatement, which were partially offset by the recognition of a $7.0 million accounts payable balance. The increase of long-term liabilities resulted from a $19.1 million increase of long-term deferred tax liabilities. The decrease of total equities related primarily to the elimination of the derivative assets and liabilities described above and the related income tax impacts, as well as the reduction of goodwill associated with the goodwill impairment charge recorded during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None
Other misstatements
(c) Adjustments for other misstatements related primarily to misclassifications between line items included within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as well as the impact of income tax adjustments on income tax accounts, including prepaid income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes. These misclassification adjustments arose primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses and collectively with the income tax adjustments resulted in a $41.2 million increase of total assets, an $83.9 million increase of current liabilities, a $0.9 million decrease of long-term liabilities and a $41.8 million decrease of total equities.

The most significant driver of the $41.2 million increase of total assets related to a $53.1 million misclassification adjustment for certain items previously included as a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable. The overall increase of inventories was mostly offset by a $48.2 million reduction of inventory that resulted from a misclassification adjustment for certain collateral being classified as receivables rather than inventory; however, this misstatement did not impact total assets.

The increase of current liabilities related primarily to the $53.1 million increase of accounts payable associated with a misclassification adjustment for a contra-inventory balance moving to accounts payable, as well as the impact of the income tax adjustments on accrued income taxes, which increased by $20.7 million.

The $41.8 million decrease of total equities related primarily to the $24.4 million net impact on income tax accounts, the recognition of $13.7 million of accrued expense related to the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018 and a $3.5 million increase of reserve and impairment charges related to a fixed asset impairment charge that should have been recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 rather than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.


F-76

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)

 For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$8,048,889
 $(17,005) $8,031,884
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold7,735,627
 (24,570) 7,711,057
 a, b, c
Gross profit313,262
 7,565
 320,827
  
Marketing, general and administrative140,168
 (668) 139,500
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(3,787) 
 (3,787)  
Operating earnings (loss)176,881
 8,233
 185,114
  
Interest expense40,702
 
 40,702
  
Other (income) loss(25,014) 
 (25,014)  
Equity (income) loss from investments(38,362) 
 (38,362)  
Income (loss) before income taxes199,555
 8,233
 207,788
  
Income tax expense (benefit)19,936
 670
 20,606
 a
Net income (loss)179,619
 7,563
 187,182
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) 
 (464)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $180,083
 $7,563
 $187,646
  

For the three months ended November 30, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.5 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $1.2 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $0.5 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $0.7 million increase of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in an $11.4 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in an $8.8 million increase of income before income taxes and net income. The $8.8 million increase of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $6.2 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives and a $2.6 million decrease in costs related to postretirement benefit plan activity that resulted from a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses (included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses).

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $5.7 million decrease of revenues and cost of goods sold.





F-77

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2018 For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2018  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$6,851,093
 $129,060
 $6,980,153
 $14,899,982
 $112,055
 $15,012,037
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold6,708,610
 136,239
 6,844,849
 14,444,237
 111,669
 14,555,906
 a, b, c
Gross profit142,483
 (7,179) 135,304
 455,745
 386
 456,131
  
Marketing, general and administrative186,716
 (3) 186,713
 326,881
 (668) 326,213
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(11,349) 3
 (11,346) (15,133) 
 (15,133) c
Operating earnings (loss)(32,884) (7,179) (40,063) 143,997
 1,054
 145,051
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(7,705) 
 (7,705) (7,705) 
 (7,705)  
Interest expense40,176
 
 40,176
 80,878
 
 80,878
  
Other (income) loss(11,364) 
 (11,364) (36,378) 
 (36,378)  
Equity (income) loss from investments(39,441) 
 (39,441) (77,803) 
 (77,803)  
Income (loss) before income taxes(14,550) (7,179) (21,729) 185,005
 1,054
 186,059
  
Income tax expense (benefit)(181,176) (6,512) (187,688) (161,240) (5,842) (167,082) a, c
Net income (loss)166,626
 (667) 165,959
 346,245
 6,896
 353,141
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(48) 
 (48) (512) 
 (512)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $166,674
 $(667) $166,007
 $346,757
 $6,896
 $353,653
  

For the three months ended February 28, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $22.5 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $22.6 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $22.5 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $0.1 million increase of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxesfiscal 2019 or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $161.5 million increase of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $15.3 million increase of income before income taxes and a $21.9 million increase of net income. The $15.3 million increase of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $13.7 million decrease of cost of goods sold arising from the use of a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The remaining increase relates to a $1.6 million decrease of cost of goods sold as a result of the valuation of crack spread derivatives. In addition to the increase of income before income taxes, an income tax benefit of $6.6 million was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $27.7 million decrease of revenues and cost of goods sold.

F-78

Table of Contents



For the six months ended February 28, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $23.0 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $23.8 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $23.0 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $0.8 million increase of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $150.2 million increase of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in an $24.1 million increase of income before income taxes and a $30.7 million increase of net income. The $24.1 million increase of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $13.7 million decrease of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The remaining increase relates to a $7.9 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives and a $2.6 million increase to expense related to postretirement benefit plan activity that resulted from a timing difference associated with the recording of certain benefit plan expenses (included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses). In addition to the increase of income before income taxes, an income tax benefit of $6.6 million was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in $33.4 million decrease of revenues and cost of goods sold.




F-79

Table of Contents


CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2018 For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2018  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$9,027,525
 $59,803
 $9,087,328
 $23,927,508
 $171,857
 $24,099,365
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold8,728,914
 112,447
 8,841,361
 23,173,151
 224,116
 23,397,267
 a, b, c
Gross profit298,611
 (52,644) 245,967
 754,357
 (52,259) 702,098
  
Marketing, general and administrative161,578
 1
 161,579
 488,459
 (667) 487,792
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(3,811) 
 (3,811) (18,944) 
 (18,944)  
Operating earnings (loss)140,844
 (52,645) 88,199
 284,842
 (51,592) 233,250
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business(124,050) 
 (124,050) (131,755) 
 (131,755)  
Interest expense49,340
 
 49,340
 130,218
 
 130,218
  
Other (income) loss(14,622) 
 (14,622) (51,000) 
 (51,000)  
Equity (income) loss from investments(59,308) 
 (59,308) (137,111) 
 (137,111)  
Income (loss) before income taxes289,484
 (52,645) 236,839
 474,490
 (51,592) 422,898
  
Income tax expense (benefit)60,338
 (5,119) 55,219
 (100,901) (10,962) (111,863) a, c
Net income (loss)229,146
 (47,526) 181,620
 575,391
 (40,630) 534,761
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(187) 
 (187) (699) 
 (699)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $229,333
 $(47,526) $181,807
 $576,090
 $(40,630) $535,460
  

For the three months ended May 31, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $29.8 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $24.7 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $29.8 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $5.1 million decrease of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $38.8 million increase of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $22.8 million decrease of income before income taxes and net income. The $22.8 million decrease of income before income taxes related primarily to an $18.8 million increase of cost of goods sold due to adjustments associated with the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning software during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The remaining decrease relates to an $11.8 million increase of revenues and a $14.5 million increase of cost of goods sold related to the timing of revenue recognition as well as a $1.3 million increase of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $9.2 million increase of revenues and cost of goods sold.

F-80

Table of Contents


For the nine months ended May 31, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $52.9 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $48.5 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $52.9 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $4.4 million increase of income tax benefit related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $189.0 million increase of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $1.3 million increase of income before income taxes and a $7.9 million increase of net income. The $1.3 million increase of income before income taxes relates to a combination of offsetting misstatements, including a $13.7 million decrease of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018 a $6.6 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives, and a $2.6 million decrease in expense related to postretirement benefit plan activity that resulted from a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses (included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses). The overall increase was mostly offset by an $18.8 million increase of cost of goods sold due to a timing difference associated with the implementation of a new enterprise resource planning software during the third quarter of fiscal 2018. The increase in income before income taxes and net income was also impacted by a $7.0 million increase of revenue and a $9.9 million increase of cost of goods sold related to the timing of revenue recognition. In addition to the increase of income before income taxes, an income tax benefit of $6.6 million was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $24.1 million decrease of revenues and cost of goods sold.



results.
F-81
F-46



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$8,048,250
 $(46,346) $8,001,904
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold7,695,553
 (40,029) 7,655,524
 a, b, c
Gross profit352,697
 (6,317) 346,380
  
Marketing, general and administrative147,849
 3,409
 151,258
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net18,357
 
 18,357
  
Operating earnings (loss)186,491
 (9,726) 176,765
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 4,105
 4,105
 c
Interest expense38,265
 
 38,265
  
Other (income) loss(37,000) (7,509) (44,509) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(40,328) 
 (40,328)  
Income (loss) before income taxes225,554
 (6,322) 219,232
  
Income tax expense (benefit)16,612
 (536) 16,076
 a
Net income (loss)208,942
 (5,786) 203,156
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(208) 
 (208)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $209,150
 $(5,786) $203,364
  

For the three months ended November 30, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.1 million increase of income before income taxes and a $0.6 million increase of net income. These adjustments were primarily related to a $1.9 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $1.9 million increase of revenues related to the timing of revenue recognition, and a $0.6 million decrease of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $77.3 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $6.4 million decrease of income before income taxes and net income. The $6.4 million decrease of income before income taxes and net income relates primarily to an increase of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $29.1 million increase of revenues, a $29.1 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $3.4 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $4.1 million increase of loss on disposal of business and a $7.5 million increase of other income.


F-82



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2017 For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$7,320,406
 $80,367
 $7,400,773
 $15,368,656
 $34,021
 $15,402,677
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold7,079,664
 85,601
 7,165,265
 14,775,217
 45,572
 14,820,789
 a, b, c
Gross profit240,742
 (5,234) 235,508
 593,439
 (11,551) 581,888
  
Marketing, general and administrative157,862
 2,304
 160,166
 305,711
 5,713
 311,424
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net72,373
 
 72,373
 90,730
 
 90,730
  
Operating earnings (loss)10,507
 (7,538) 2,969
 196,998
 (17,264) 179,734
  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 (1,395) (1,395) 
 2,710
 2,710
 c
Interest expense39,945
 
 39,945
 78,210
 
 78,210
  
Other (income) loss(17,235) (848) (18,083) (54,235) (8,357) (62,592) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(35,800) 
 (35,800) (76,128) 
 (76,128)  
Income (loss) before income taxes23,597
 (5,295) 18,302
 249,151
 (11,617) 237,534
  
Income tax expense (benefit)8,624
 (4,939) 3,685
 25,236
 (5,475) 19,761
 a, c
Net income (loss)14,973
 (356) 14,617
 223,915
 (6,142) 217,773
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests406
 
 406
 198
 
 198
  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $14,567
 $(356) $14,211
 $223,717
 $(6,142) $217,575
  

For the three months ended February 28, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.3 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $0.2 million increase of net income. These adjustments related to a $1.1 million reduction of revenues and a $0.9 million decrease of cost of goods sold, and a $0.5 million decrease of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $58.9 million increase of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $5.0 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $0.6 million decrease of net income. The $5.0 million decrease of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $5.6 million increase of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The overall decrease of income before income taxes was partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives. The decrease of income before income taxes was mostly offset by an income tax benefit of $4.5 million that was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $22.6 million increase of revenues, a $22.5 million

F-83



increase of cost of goods sold, a $2.3 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $1.4 million increase of gain on disposal of business, and a $0.8 million increase of other income.

For the six months ended February 28, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.2 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $0.8 million increase of net income. These adjustments related to a $0.7 million increase of revenues and a $1.0 million increase of cost of goods and a $1.0 million decrease of income tax expense related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $18.4 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in an $11.4 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $6.9 million decrease of net income. The $11.4 million decrease of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $12.1 million increase of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018. The overall decrease of income before income taxes was partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives. The decrease of income before income taxes was partially offset by an income tax benefit of $4.5 million that was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $51.7 million increase of revenues, a $51.6 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $5.7 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $2.7 million increase of loss on disposal of business, and an $8.4 million increase of other income.


F-84



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2017 For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$8,614,090
 $24,320
 $8,638,410
 $23,982,746
 $58,341
 $24,041,087
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold8,366,988
 50,276
 8,417,264
 23,142,205
 95,848
 23,238,053
 a, b, c
Gross profit247,102
 (25,956) 221,146
 840,541
 (37,507) 803,034
  
Marketing, general and administrative153,498
 1,849
 155,347
 459,831
 6,940
 466,771
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net323,901
 2,878
 326,779
 414,009
 3,500
 417,509
 c
Operating earnings (loss)(230,297) (30,683) (260,980) (33,299) (47,947) (81,246)  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 (1,224) (1,224) 
 1,486
 1,486
 c
Interest expense39,201
 
 39,201
 117,411
 
 117,411
  
Other (income) loss(11,947) (5) (11,952) (66,183) (8,361) (74,544) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(48,393) 
 (48,393) (124,521) 
 (124,521)  
Income (loss) before income taxes(209,158) (29,454) (238,612) 39,994
 (41,072) (1,078)  
Income tax expense (benefit)(163,018) (3,106) (166,124) (137,781) (8,582) (146,363) a, c
Net income (loss)(46,140) (26,348) (72,488) 177,775
 (32,490) 145,285
  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(955) 
 (955) (757) 
 (757)  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $(45,185) $(26,348) $(71,533) $178,532
 $(32,490) $146,042
  

For the three months ended May 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $25.9 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $22.8 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $3.7 million decrease of revenues and a $22.2 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $3.1 million increase of income tax benefit related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $9.6 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $3.6 million decrease of income before income taxes and net income. The $3.6 million decrease of income before income taxes and net income relates primarily to a $3.5 million increase of reserve and impairment charges related to a timing difference for a fixed asset impairment charge that should have been recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 rather than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $37.6 million increase of revenues, a $37.6 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $1.8 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $0.6 million decrease of reserve and impairment charges and a $1.2 million increase of gain on disposal of business.


F-85



For the nine months ended May 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $26.2 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $22.1 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $2.9 million reduction of revenues and a $23.2 million increase of cost of goods sold, as well as a $4.1 million increase of income tax benefit related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $28.0 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $14.9 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $10.4 million decrease of net income. The $14.9 million decrease of income before income taxes relates primarily to a $12.1 million increase of cost of goods sold that arose from a unit of measure assumption in the calculation of an excise tax credit that was changed during fiscal 2018 and a $3.5 million increase of reserve and impairment charges related to a fixed asset impairment charge that should have been recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2017 rather than the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017. The overall decrease of income before income taxes was partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives. The decrease of income before income taxes was partially offset by an income tax benefit of $4.5 million that was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in an $89.2 million increase of revenues, a $89.2 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $6.9 million increase of marketing, general and administrative expenses, a $1.5 million increase of loss on sale of business and an $8.4 million increase of other income.



F-86



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended August 31, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Revenues$7,952,005
 $44,334
 $7,996,339
 a, b, c
Cost of goods sold7,843,305
 61,408
 7,904,713
 a, b, c
Gross profit108,700
 (17,074) 91,626
  
Marketing, general and administrative144,528
 708
 145,236
 c
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net42,670
 (3,500) 39,170
 c
Operating earnings (loss)(78,498) (14,282) (92,780)  
(Gain) loss on disposal of business
 704
 704
 c
Interest expense53,828
 
 53,828
  
Other (income) loss(24,664) (743) (25,407) c
Equity (income) loss from investments(12,817) 
 (12,817)  
Income (loss) before income taxes(94,845) (14,243) (109,088)  
Income tax expense (benefit)(44,293) 9,532
 (34,761) a, c
Net income (loss)(50,552) (23,775) (74,327)  
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests123
 
 123
  
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $(50,675) $(23,775) $(74,450)  

For the three months ended August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $12.0 million reduction of income before income taxes and a $25.2 million reduction of net income. These adjustments related to a $2.9 million increase of revenues, and a $14.9 million increase of cost of goods sold and a $13.3 million decrease of income tax benefit related to the tax effect of the freight derivatives and related misstatements.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) The correction of intercompany misstatements had no impact on income (loss) before income taxes or net income (loss); however, the correction resulted in a $7.7 million decrease of both revenues and cost of goods sold due to different practices of eliminating intercompany sales between CHS's businesses which existed in previous periods.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $2.3 million decrease of income before income taxes and a $1.4 million increase of net income. The $2.3 million decrease of income before income taxes related primarily to a $3.2 million increase of cost of goods sold related to the valuation of crack spread derivatives and a $2.6 million increase of cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses related to a timing difference associated with the recording of certain benefit plan expenses. These decreases of income before income taxes were partially offset by a $3.5 million decrease of reserve and impairment charges related to a timing difference for recording a fixed asset impairment charge. The decrease of net income was partially offset by an income tax benefit of $3.7 million that was recorded to adjust for the impact of other identified misstatements, as well as income tax items that had previously been identified and recorded as out of period adjustments in subsequent periods.

Additionally, certain misclassification and offsetting adjustments were made between line items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations primarily due to the application of differing accounting policies between businesses. These misclassification adjustments resulted in a $49.1 million increase of revenues, a $49.1 million increase of cost of goods sold, a $0.7 million increase of loss on disposal of business and a $0.7 million increase of other income.


F-87



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2017  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$179,619
 $7,563
 $187,182
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Postretirement benefit plan activity, net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,6204,196
 (2,602) 1,594
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $4043,640
 
 3,640
  
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2)(4) 
 (4)  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $(443)(2,607) 396
 (2,211) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax5,225
 (2,206) 3,019
  
Comprehensive income184,844
 5,357
 190,201
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) 
 (464)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $185,308
 $5,357
 $190,665
  

For the three months ended November 30, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $1.2 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended November 30, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in an $8.8 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended November 30, 2017, above. The adjustment related to postretirement benefit plan activity is attributable to a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses.














F-88



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
February 28, 2018
 
For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2018
  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$166,626
 $(667) $165,959
 $346,245
 $6,896
 $353,141
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,309 and $3,9293,141
 1
 3,142
 7,338
 (2,602) 4,736
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,481 and $1,8853,554
 
 3,554
 7,194
 
 7,194
  
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $443 and $4411,063
 
 1,063
 1,059
 
 1,059
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $422 and $(21)2,461
 (109) 2,352
 (146) 287
 141
 a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax10,219
 (108) 10,111
 15,445
 (2,315) 13,130
  
Comprehensive income176,845
 (775) 176,070
 361,690
 4,581
 366,271
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(48) 
 (48) (512) 
 (512)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $176,893
 $(775) $176,118
 $362,202
 $4,581
 $366,783
  

For the three months ended February 28, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $22.6 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended February 28, 2018, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $21.9 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended February 28, 2018, above.

For the six months ended February 28, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $23.8 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the six months ended February 28, 2018, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.


F-89



Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $30.7 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the six months ended February 28, 2018, above. The adjustment related to postretirement benefit plan activity is attributable to a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses.

F-90



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
May 31, 2018
 
For the Nine Months Ended
May 31, 2018
  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$229,146
 $(47,526) $181,620
 $575,391
 $(40,630) $534,761
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,424 and $5,3533,417
 
 3,417
 10,755
 (2,602) 8,153
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,620 and $4,5056,286
 
 6,286
 13,480
 
 13,480
  
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $172 and $613413
 
 413
 1,472
 
 1,472
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $(254) and $(275)(11,617) 1,429
 (10,188) (11,763) 1,716
 (10,047) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(1,501) 1,429
 (72) 13,944
 (886) 13,058
  
Comprehensive income227,645
 (46,097) 181,548
 589,335
 (41,516) 547,819
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(187) 
 (187) (699) 
 (699)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $227,832
 $(46,097) $181,735
 $590,034
 $(41,516) $548,518
  

For the three months ended May 31, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $24.7 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended May 31, 2018, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $22.8 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended May 31, 2018, above.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2018

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $48.5 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the nine months ended May 31, 2018, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.


F-91



Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $7.9 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the nine months ended May 31, 2018, above. The adjustment related to postretirement benefit plan activity relates to a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses.


F-92



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2016  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$208,942
 $(5,786) $203,156
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,0113,239
 
 3,239
  
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $482777
 
 777
  
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $406654
 
 654
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $(209)(19,164) 1,089
 (18,075) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(14,494) 1,089
 (13,405)  
Comprehensive income194,448
 (4,697) 189,751
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(208) 
 (208)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $194,656
 $(4,697) $189,959
  

For the three months ended November 30, 2016

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.6 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended November 30, 2016, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $6.4 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended November 30, 2016, above.


















F-93



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
February 28, 2017
 
For the Six Months Ended
February 28, 2017
  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$14,973
 $(356) $14,617
 $223,915
 $(6,142) $217,773
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,312 and $4,3233,724
 
 3,724
 6,963
 
 6,963
  
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $600 and $1,083968
 
 968
 1,744
 1
 1,745
 c
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $598 and $1,005963
 1
 964
 1,618
 
 1,618
 c
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $(204) and $59,123
 (936) 8,187
 (10,041) 153
 (9,888) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax14,778
 (935) 13,843
 284
 154
 438
  
Comprehensive income29,751
 (1,291) 28,460
 224,199
 (5,988) 218,211
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests406
 
 406
 198
 
 198
  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $29,345
 $(1,291) $28,054
 $224,001
 $(5,988) $218,013
  

For the three months ended February 28, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.2 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended February 28, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $0.6 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended February 28, 2017, above.


For the six months ended February 28, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $0.8 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the six months ended February 28, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation relates to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

F-94




Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $6.9 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the six months ended February 28, 2017, above.

F-95



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
May 31, 2017
 
For the Nine Months Ended
May 31, 2017
  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$(46,140) $(26,348) $(72,488) $177,775
 $(32,490) $145,285
 a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,257 and $6,5803,635
 1
 3,636
 10,599
 
 10,599
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $(72) and $1,010(117) (1) (118) 1,627
 
 1,627
 c
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $233 and $1,238375
 
 375
 1,993
 
 1,993
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $(334) and $(329)(2,151) 782
 (1,369) (12,193) 936
 (11,257) a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax1,742
 782
 2,524
 2,026
 936
 2,962
  
Comprehensive income(44,398) (25,566) (69,964) 179,801
 (31,554) 148,247
  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(955) 
 (955) (757) 
 (757)  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $(43,443) $(25,566) $(69,009) $180,558
 $(31,554) $149,004
  

For the three months ended May 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $22.8 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended May 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $3.6 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended May 31, 2017, above.

For the nine months ended May 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $22.1 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the nine months ended May 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.


F-96



Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $10.4 million decrease of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the nine months ended May 31, 2017, above.

F-97



CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
For the Three Months Ended
August 31, 2017
  
 As Previously Reported Restatement Adjustments As Restated Restatement References
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Net income (loss)$(50,552) $(23,775) $(74,327) a, c
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:       
Postretirement benefit plan activity net of tax expense (benefit) of $12,10819,501
 2,602
 22,103
 c
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,7222,758
 
 2,758
  
Cash flow hedges net of tax expense (benefit) of $155249
 
 249
  
Foreign currency translation adjustment net of tax expense (benefit) of $5423,522
 (424) 3,098
 a
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax26,030
 2,178
 28,208
  
Comprehensive income(24,522) (21,597) (46,119)  
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests123
 
 123
  
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $(24,645) $(21,597) $(46,242)  

For the three months ended August 31, 2017

Freight derivatives and related misstatements
(a) The correction of freight derivatives and related misstatements resulted in a $25.2 million reduction of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended August 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to foreign currency translation is attributable to the foreign currency impact associated with goodwill that was impaired during fiscal 2015.

Intercompany misstatements
(b) None.

Other misstatements
(c) The correction of other misstatements resulted in a $1.4 million increase of net income. Refer to descriptions of the adjustments and their impact on net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statement of Operations section for the three months ended August 31, 2017, above. The adjustment related to postretirement benefit plan activity relates to a timing difference associated with recording certain benefit plan expenses.



F-98