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


Form 10-Q


þ Quarterly Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.
or
o Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from to

Commission file number: 001-36079

CHS Inc.
(Exact name of registrantRegistrant as specified in its charter)
Minnesota
 (State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
41-0251095
 (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
   
5500 Cenex Drive Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota 55077
 (Address of principal executive offices,
including zip code)
 
(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

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 o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES þ NO o

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 filer o
Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer þ
Smaller reporting company o
Emerging growth company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)


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

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

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.

 



INDEXTABLE OF CONTENTS
   
 
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Unless the context otherwise requires, for purposes of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the words “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” and “CHS”"CHS," "we," "us" or "our" refer to CHS Inc., a Minnesota cooperative corporation, and its subsidiaries as of November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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" 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" 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 of these 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, ("SEC"), including in the "Risk Factors" discussion in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.2019, and Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements made by us in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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.

1



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
November 30,
2017
 August 31,
2017
May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
ASSETS      
Current assets: 
 

 
 

Cash and cash equivalents$252,129
 $181,379
$408,115
 $211,179
Receivables2,059,623
 1,869,632
2,574,207
 2,731,209
Inventories3,046,101
 2,576,585
2,818,758
 2,854,288
Derivative assets283,256
 232,017
Margin deposits206,955
 206,062
Supplier advance payments542,139
 249,234
Other current assets289,250
 299,618
1,258,553
 865,919
Total current assets6,679,453
 5,614,527
7,059,633
 6,662,595
Investments3,777,000
 3,750,993
3,666,959
 3,683,996
Property, plant and equipment5,266,408
 5,356,434
4,999,082
 5,088,708
Other assets1,061,562
 1,251,802
1,101,550
 1,012,195
Total assets$16,784,423
 $15,973,756
$16,827,224
 $16,447,494
LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES      
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Notes payable$2,480,264
 $1,988,215
$2,215,583
 $2,156,108
Current portion of long-term debt71,022
 156,345
28,200
 39,210
Customer margin deposits and credit balances139,868
 157,914
Customer advance payments414,441
 413,163
Accounts payable2,380,998
 1,951,292
1,751,354
 1,931,415
Derivative liabilities226,279
 316,018
Accrued expenses409,522
 437,527
566,258
 555,323
Dividends and equities payable121,209
 12,121
Other current liabilities1,061,487
 901,651
Total current liabilities6,243,603
 5,432,595
5,622,882
 5,583,707
Long-term debt1,936,744
 2,023,448
1,764,367
 1,749,901
Long-term deferred tax liabilities350,841
 333,221
Other liabilities315,460
 278,667
659,689
 496,356
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

Equities: 
  
 
  
Preferred stock2,264,038
 2,264,038
2,264,038
 2,264,038
Equity certificates4,319,840
 4,341,649
4,896,148
 4,988,877
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(178,445) (183,670)(241,165) (226,933)
Capital reserves1,520,218
 1,471,217
1,852,826
 1,584,158
Total CHS Inc. equities7,925,651
 7,893,234
8,771,847
 8,610,140
Noncontrolling interests12,124
 12,591
8,439
 7,390
Total equities7,937,775
 7,905,825
8,780,286
 8,617,530
Total liabilities and equities$16,784,423
 $15,973,756
$16,827,224
 $16,447,494

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
 Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$7,241,031
 $8,497,941
 $21,460,742
 $23,465,769
Cost of goods sold7,022,672
 8,274,170
 20,601,785
 22,343,944
Gross profit218,359
 223,771
 858,957
 1,121,825
Marketing, general and administrative expenses180,439
 217,527
 548,340
 551,438
Operating earnings37,920
 6,244
 310,617
 570,387
Interest expense26,661
 42,773
 95,043
 122,950
Other income(8,076) (32,938) (32,926) (69,835)
Equity income from investments(51,114) (65,170) (135,174) (173,394)
Income before income taxes70,449
 61,579
 383,674
 690,666
Income tax (benefit) expense(27,052) 6,866
 (18,258) 40,534
Net income97,501
 54,713
 401,932
 650,132
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(147) 93
 955
 (758)
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $97,648
 $54,620
 $400,977
 $650,890
 For the Three Months Ended
November 30,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$8,048,889
 $8,048,250
Cost of goods sold7,735,627
 7,695,553
Gross profit313,262
 352,697
Marketing, general and administrative140,168
 147,849
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(3,787) 18,357
Operating earnings (loss)176,881
 186,491
(Gain) loss on investments(2,819) 7,401
Interest expense40,702
 38,265
Other (income) loss(22,195) (44,401)
Equity (income) loss from investments(38,362) (40,328)
Income (loss) before income taxes199,555
 225,554
Income tax expense (benefit)19,936
 16,612
Net income (loss)179,619
 208,942
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) (208)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $180,083
 $209,150

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).


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CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended
November 30,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income (loss)$179,619
 $208,942
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:   
     Postretirement benefit plan activity, net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,620 and $2,011, respectively4,196
 3,239
     Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $404 and $482, respectively3,640
 777
     Cash flow hedges, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(2) and $406, respectively(4) 654
     Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(443) and $(209), respectively(2,607) (19,164)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax5,225
 (14,494)
Comprehensive income (loss)184,844
 194,448
     Less: comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) (208)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $185,308
 $194,656
 Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net income$97,501
 $54,713
 $401,932
 $650,132
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax:       
Pension and other postretirement benefits3,490
 1,496
 12,309
 5,599
Cash flow hedges6,817
 (15,817) (4,867) (7,155)
Foreign currency translation adjustment(12,316) (7,992) (21,674) (5,484)
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax(2,009) (22,313) (14,232) (7,040)
Comprehensive income95,492
 32,400
 387,700
 643,092
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(147) 93
 955
 (758)
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $95,639
 $32,307
 $386,745
 $643,850

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).



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CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
 For the Three Months Ended November 30,
 2017 2016
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  
Net income (loss)$179,619
 $208,942
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
  
Depreciation and amortization120,148
 121,372
Amortization of deferred major repair costs16,418
 18,302
Equity (income) loss from investments(38,362) (40,328)
Distributions from equity investments12,514
 16,393
Provision for doubtful accounts(3,601) 27,812
Deferred taxes15,044
 6,199
Other, net2,976
 6,093
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
  
Receivables(80,637) (16,555)
Inventories(472,180) (754,253)
Derivative assets67,365
 110,306
Margin deposits(893) (2,623)
Supplier advance payments(292,905) (133,109)
Other current assets and other assets2,689
 12,082
Customer margin deposits and credit balances(18,045) (28,141)
Customer advance payments1,278
 131,444
Accounts payable and accrued expenses441,071
 743,427
Derivative liabilities(97,329) (195,545)
Other liabilities4,376
 6,599
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities(140,454) 238,417
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(85,824) (116,986)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment56,079
 2,574
Proceeds from sale of business29,457
 
Expenditures for major repairs(1,039) (239)
Investments redeemed5,195
 
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net(69,227) (218,296)
Financing extended to customers(15,778) (14,353)
Payments from customer financing16,520
 21,523
Other investing activities, net1,847
 (1,245)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(62,770) (327,022)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings8,006,980
 10,300,476
Payments on lines of credit, long term-debt and capital lease obligations(7,657,713) (9,936,369)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding(31,417) 14,334
Preferred stock dividends paid(42,167) (41,825)
Retirements of equities(3,682) (9,528)
Other financing activities, net(263) 384
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities271,738
 327,472
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents2,236
 (2,696)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents70,750
 236,171
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period181,379
 279,313
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$252,129
 $515,484
 Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities: 
  
Net income$401,932
 $650,132
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: 
  
Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred major maintenance408,613
 401,798
Equity income from investments, net of distributions received1,339
 (39,674)
Provision for doubtful accounts7,692
 36,874
Deferred taxes(11,811) 34,786
Other, net67,625
 (46,157)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: 
  
Receivables25,290
 (446,846)
Inventories(5,602) (199,339)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses(185,503) 174,855
Other, net(183,732) (436,518)
Net cash provided by operating activities525,843
 129,911
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment(316,506) (278,589)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment28,257
 46,414
Expenditures for major maintenance(10,414) (210,837)
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net219,173
 (112,608)
Financing extended to customers(5,139) (10,492)
Payments from customer financing21,341
 84,189
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired
 (119,421)
Other investing activities, net14,755
 8,854
Net cash used in investing activities(48,533) (592,490)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt19,841,762
 20,715,683
Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and capital lease obligations(19,805,609) (20,236,780)
Preferred stock dividends paid(126,501) (126,501)
Redemptions of equities(86,272) (76,397)
Cash patronage dividends paid(90,112) (75,669)
Other financing activities, net(25,475) (25,993)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(292,207) 174,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(786) (382)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash184,317
 (288,618)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period299,675
 543,940
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$483,992
 $255,322

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

Note 1        Organization,        Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

TheThese unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2017, the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016,condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of our management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of theour financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations and cash flows for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full fiscal year because of among other things, the seasonal nature of our businesses.businesses, among other things. Our Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of August 31, 2017, has been derived from our auditedunaudited condensed consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures requiredand notes are presented as permitted by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP").

Over the course of fiscal year 2017, we incurred charges relating to a trading partner of ours in Brazil, which entered into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law, intangiblerequirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q 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 and 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 three months ended November 30, 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 quarters in which the charge, impairments or recoveries were recorded. Prior year information has been revised to conform to the current year presentation.    

The notes to our consolidated financial statements reference our Energy, Ag, Nitrogen Production and Foods reportable segments, as well as our Corporate and Other category, which represents an aggregation of individually immaterial operating segments. The Nitrogen Production reportable segment resulted from our investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC ("CF Nitrogen") in February 2016. The Foods segment resulted from our investment in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods") becoming a significant operating segment in fiscal 2016. See Note 9, Segment Reporting for more information.
Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all of our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. The effects of all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended August 31, 2017,2019, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"("SEC").

Certain captions within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been combined within other captions as allowed by SEC financial statement reporting requirements under Regulation S-X. Prior year information has been revised to conform with the current presentation.

The recent 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 the third quarter of fiscal 2020, particularly with respect to the production of renewable fuels and other energy products. 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, as of April 30, 2020, for a reporting unit within our Ag segment that operates in the renewable fuels industry. Recent 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. Management will continue to monitor results and projected cash flows to assess whether any impairment may be necessary in the future.

Significant Accounting Policies

The following significant accounting policy was updated or changed since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019.

Leases

As described in the "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" section, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases, as amended (collectively "Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842"), on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. Our accounting policies and additional disclosures with respect to ASC Topic 842 are included in Note 14, Leases.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

In October 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-16, Income Taxes - Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory (Topic 740). This ASU is intended to improve the accountingExcept for the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assetsrecent accounting pronouncements described below, other than inventory by requiring an entityrecent accounting pronouncements are not expected 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 and the amendments in this ASU should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment 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 condensed consolidated financial statements.

Adopted

We adopted 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 $33.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment 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-

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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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additional information and further disclosures related to our leases and lease-related financial statement amounts are included within Note 14, Leases.

Not Yet Adopted

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 are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have 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 income statement. This ASU requires 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 income statement 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. The guidance on the presentation of the components of net periodic benefit cost in the income statement 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 statement 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 statement of cash flows.

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 statement 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 statement of cash flows.
In June 2016, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses( ("ASC Topic 326)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 the provisions of this ASU’s provisionsASU as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earningscapital reserves 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. WeThe impact of adoption will depend on the composition of our portfolio at the adoption date and we are currently evaluatingfinalizing our evaluation of the impact theof adoption will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.statements through various data-gathering activities, development of a credit loss model and accounting policy election determinations.

Note 2        Revenues

In February 2016,The following table presents revenues recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"), disaggregated by reportable segment, as well as the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842)amount of revenues recognized under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC Topic 815"), which replacesand other applicable accounting guidance for the existingthree and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019. Other applicable accounting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 840 -primarily includes revenues recognized under ASC Topic 842, Leases. The amendments within this ASU introduce a lessee model requiring, and ASC Topic 470, Debt, that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606.
  ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues
Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands)
Energy $762,053
 $128,866
 $
 $890,919
Ag 2,026,588
 4,290,627
 20,686
 6,337,901
Corporate and Other 6,027
 
 6,184
 12,211
Total revenues $2,794,668
 $4,419,493
 $26,870
 $7,241,031
         
Three Months Ended May 31, 2019        
Energy $1,544,533
 $193,512
 $
 $1,738,045
Ag 2,234,378
 4,485,089
 25,648
 6,745,115
Corporate and Other 4,841
 
 9,940
 14,781
Total revenues $3,783,752
 $4,678,601
 $35,588
 $8,497,941
         
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020        
Energy $3,831,806
 $415,586
 $
 $4,247,392
Ag 4,446,097
 12,681,108
 46,753
 17,173,958
Corporate and Other 16,910
 
 22,482
 39,392
Total revenues $8,294,813
 $13,096,694
 $69,235
 $21,460,742
         
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019        
Energy $4,826,762
 $547,348
 $
 $5,374,110
Ag 4,574,203
 13,375,276
 95,578
 18,045,057
Corporate and Other 14,818
 
 31,784
 46,602
Total revenues $9,415,783
 $13,922,624
 $127,362
 $23,465,769


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entitiesLess than 1% of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606 included within the table above are recorded over time; these revenues are primarily related to recognizeservice 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 upon the passage of time. This results in 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 receivables within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and liabilities for most leases, but continue recognizing the associated expenses in a manner similar to existing accounting guidance. This ASU doeswere not make fundamental changes to existing lessor accounting; however, it does modify what constitutes a sales-type or direct financing lease and the related accounting, and aligns a numbermaterial as of the underlying principles with those of the new revenue standard, ASU No. 2014-09. The guidance also eliminates existing real estate-specific provisions and requires expanded qualitative and quantitative disclosures. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2019, for our fiscal yearMay 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019.

Contract liabilities relate to advance payments from customers for interim periodsgoods and services that we have yet to provide. Contract liabilities of $204.7 million and $207.5 million as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, respectively, are recorded within that fiscal year, and the ASU’s provisions are required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. We have initiated a preliminary assessment of the new lease standard, including the implementation of a new lease software that will improve the collection, maintenance, and aggregation of lease data necessary for the reporting and disclosure requirements under the new lease standard. One of the more significant changes arising from the new lease standard relates to a number of operating lease agreements not currently recognizedother current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The new lease guidance will require these lease agreements to beFor the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, we recognized onrevenues of $50.5 million and $67.9 million, respectively. For the Consolidated Balance Sheets as a right-of-use asset along with a corresponding lease liability. As a result, our preliminary assessment indicates the provisionsnine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, we recognized revenues of ASU No. 2016-02 are expected to have a material impact 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 extent of potential impact the new lease guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
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$182.0 million and $148.9 million, respectively. These amounts were included in the accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes mostother current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance includes a five-step model forliabilities balance at 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 new revenue recognition guidance also specifies the accounting for certain costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer and requires expanded disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. 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. Certain revenue streams are expected to fall within the scopebeginning 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 are continuing to evaluate the impact of the new revenue recognition guidance, including potential changes to business practices and/or contractual terms for in scope revenue streams, as well as the scope of expanded disclosures related to revenue. We expect to complete our final evaluation and implementation of the new revenue recognition guidance throughout fiscal 2018, which will allow us to adopt ASU No. 2014-09 and the related ASUs on September 1, 2018, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, using the modified retrospective method.respective periods.

Note 23        Receivables
November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Trade accounts receivable$1,329,887
 $1,234,500
$1,766,166
 $1,803,284
CHS Capital notes receivable184,301
 164,807
Deferred purchase price receivable216,996
 202,947
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable474,425
 592,909
Other556,275
 493,104
524,975
 511,821
2,287,459
 2,095,358
Less allowances and reserves227,836
 225,726
Gross receivables2,765,566
 2,908,014
Less: allowances and reserves191,359
 176,805
Total receivables$2,059,623
 $1,869,632
$2,574,207
 $2,731,209

Trade Accounts

Trade accounts receivableReceivables are initially recorded at a selling price, which approximates fair value, upon the salecomposed 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 onshort-term notes receivable in our history of write-offs, level of past due accounts, and our relationships with, and the economic status of, our customers.


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CHS Capital

Notes Receivable

wholly-owned subsidiary, 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 orother receivables, less and are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, adjustedan allowance 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 duration and the use of market pricing adjusted for risk.doubtful accounts.

The notesNotes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of capital stock from certain regional cooperative’s capital stock.cooperatives. These loans are primarily originated in various states, primarily in the statesUpper Midwest region of the United States, the most significant of which include North Dakota, Minnesota Wisconsin and North Dakota.Montana. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers whichthat 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.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 $14.8$93.6 million and $17.0$180.0 million at November 30, 2017,as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017,2019, respectively. The long-termLong-term notes receivable are included in Otherother assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017,2019, the commercial notes represented 32%45% and 17%41%, respectively, and the producer notes represented 68%55% and 83%59%, respectively, of the total CHS Capital notes receivable. As of November 30, 2017, and August 31, 2017, CHS Capital had no third-party borrowers that accounted for more than 10% of the total CHS Capital notes receivable outstanding.

CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of any contractually established conditions. As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, CHS Capital'sCapital customers havehad additional available credit of $529.4$762.2 million.

Allowance No significant troubled debt restructuring activity occurred and no third-party customer or borrower accounted 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. The amount of CHS Capital notes that were past due was not significant at any reporting date presented.

Interest Income

Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using a method that computes simple interest daily. The accrual of interest on commercial loans receivable is discontinued at the time the commercial loan receivable is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-collateralized and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual termsmore than 10% 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.

Sale of Receivables

Receivables Securitization Facility

On July 18, 2017, we amended an existingtotal 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 sells the purchased Receivables in their entirety to the Purchasers. Prior to amending the Securitization Facility in July 2017, the transfer of Receivables was accounted for as a secured borrowing. Under the terms of the amended Securitization Facility CHS accounts for Receivables sold under the Facility as a sale of financial

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assets pursuant to ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing and derecognizes the sold Receivables from its Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Sales of Receivables by Cofina occur continuously and are settled with the Purchasers on a monthly basis. The proceeds from the sale of these Receivables comprise a combination of cash and a deferred purchase price (“DPP”) receivable. The DPP receivable is ultimately realized by CHS following the collection of the underlying Receivables sold to the Purchasers. 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. As of November 30, 2017, the total availability under the Securitization Facility was $700.0 million, of which all has been utilized. The Securitization Facility terminates on July 17, 2018, but may be extended. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes.

We have no retained interests in the transferred Receivables, other than our right to the DPP receivable and collection and administrative services. The DPP receivable is recorded at fair value within the Consolidated Balance Sheets, including a current portion within receivables and a long-term portion within other assets. Subsequent cash receipts related to the DPP receivable have been reflected as investing activities and additional sales of Receivables under the Securitization Facility are reflected in operating or investing activities, based on the underlying Receivable, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Losses incurred on the sale of Receivables are recorded in interest expense and fees received related to the servicing of the Receivables are recorded in other income (loss) 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.

The fair value of the DPP receivable is 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. The DPP receivable is being measured like an investment in debt securities classified as available for sale, with changes to the fair value being recorded in other comprehensive income in accordance with ASC 320 - Investments - debt and equity securities. Our risk of loss following the transfer of Receivables under the Securitization Facility is limited to the DPP receivable outstanding and any short-falls in collections for specified non-credit related reasons after sale. Payment of the DPP receivable is not subject to significant risks other than delinquencies and credit losses on accounts receivable sold under the Securitization Facility.

The following table is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the DPP receivable for the quarter ended November 30, 2017:
  (Dollars in thousands)
Balance - as of August 31, 2017 $548,602
Monthly settlements, net (27,100)
Balance - as of November 30, 2017 $521,502

There was no DPP receivablebalance as of November 30, 2016, and therefore, no comparative period is included in the table above.

Other Receivables

Other receivables are comprised of certain other amounts recorded in the normal course of business, including receivables related to valued added taxes and pre-crop financing, primarily to Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of supplier production costs. We do not bear any of the costsMay 31, 2020, 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.August 31, 2019.


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Note 34        Inventories        
November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Grain and oilseed$1,545,313
 $1,145,285
$1,021,535
 $1,024,645
Energy720,938
 755,886
681,364
 717,378
Crop nutrients222,053
 248,699
Feed and farm supplies483,805
 353,130
Agronomy967,451
 954,037
Processed grain and oilseed54,916
 49,723
108,115
 109,900
Other19,076
 23,862
40,293
 48,328
Total inventories$3,046,101
 $2,576,585
$2,818,758
 $2,854,288

As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, we valued approximately 15%16% of inventories, primarily related tocrude 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).value. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been lower than the reported amount by $79.0 million and higher than the reported amount by $99.0 million and $186.2$215.0 million as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017,2019, respectively. An actualActual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and values and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we experienced price declines in our energy inventories associated with the novel corona virus COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we recorded a noncash, lower of cost or market charge of $42.0 million in cost of goods sold to reduce the carrying value of our energy inventories to their market value at the end of the period. This charge may increase or decrease in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, based upon market prices observed at our fiscal year-end. Any adjustments that exist as of our fiscal year-end would be incorporated into the LIFO carrying value of the inventories.

Note 45        Investments
November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Equity method investments:      
CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC$2,776,412
 $2,756,076
$2,724,668
 $2,708,942
Ventura Foods, LLC350,602
 347,016
364,726
 374,516
Ardent Mills, LLC209,926
 206,529
206,476
 209,027
TEMCO, LLC39,235
 41,323
Other equity method investments265,621
 268,444
247,778
 267,247
Cost method investments135,204
 131,605
Other investments123,311
 124,264
Total investments$3,777,000
 $3,750,993
$3,666,959
 $3,683,996

Equity Method Investments

Joint ventures and other investments, in which we have significant ownership and influence but not control, are accounted for in our condensed consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Our primary equity method investments are described below. In addition to recognition of our share of income from equity method investments, our equity method investments are evaluated for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment on an ongoing basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Other investments consist primarily of investments in cooperatives without readily determinable fair values and are generally measured at cost, unless an impairment or other observable market price change occurs, requiring an adjustment.

On February 1, 2016, we invested $2.8CF Nitrogen

We have a $2.7 billion investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, commencing ourLLC ("CF Nitrogen"), a strategic venture with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. ("CF Industries"). The investment consists of an 11.4%approximate 10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. We account for this investment using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method, recognizing our share of the earnings and losses of CF Nitrogen based upon our contractual claims on the entity's net assets pursuant to the liquidation provisions of the CF Nitrogen's limited liability company agreement,Nitrogen Limited Liability Company Agreement, adjusted for the semi-annual cash distributions we receive as a result of our membership interest in CF Nitrogen. For the three months ended November 30, 2017, May 31, 2020,

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and 2016, this amount was $20.32019, equity earnings were $41.3 million and $14.7$42.0 million, respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, equity earnings were $104.0 million and $118.4 million, respectively. These amounts are included as equity income from investments in our Nitrogen Production segment.

The following table provides summarized unaudited financial information for our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019:
 Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019
    
Net sales$1,954,660
 $2,219,267
Gross profit481,711
 560,631
Net earnings452,859
 536,409
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.104,021
 118,415

Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills
We have a 50% interest in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), which is a joint venture whichwith Wilsey Foods, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of MK USA Holdings, Inc., that produces and distributes primarily vegetable oil-based products, and which constitutes our Foods segment. We account for Ventura Foods as an equity method investment, and as of November 30, 2017, our carrying value of Ventura Foods exceeded our share of its equity by $12.9 million, which represents equity method goodwill. The earnings are reported as equity income from investments in our Foods segment.


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Wevegetable-oil-based products. Additionally, we have a 12% interest in Ardent Mills, LLC ("Ardent Mills"), which is a joint venture with Cargill Incorporated ("Cargill") and ConAgra Foods,Conagra Brands, Inc., whichand combines the North American flour milling operations of the three parent companies. We account for Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills as an equity method investmentinvestments, and our share of the results of these equity methods investments are included in Corporate and Other.

TEMCO, LLC ("TEMCO") is owned and governed by Cargill (50%) and CHS (50%). Both owners have committed to sell all of their feedgrains, wheat, oilseeds and by-product origination that are tributary to the Pacific Northwest, United States ("Pacific Northwest") to TEMCO and to use TEMCO as their exclusive export-marketing vehicleThe following table provides aggregate summarized unaudited financial information for such grains exported through the Pacific Northwest through January 2037. We account for TEMCO as anour equity method investment includedinvestments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019:
 Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019
    
Net sales$4,101,502
 $4,427,127
Gross profit686,045
 391,338
Net earnings134,774
 152,315
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.29,770
 50,415
Our investments in other equity method investees are not significant in relation to our Ag segment.condensed consolidated financial statements, either individually or in the aggregate.

Note 5        Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill of $153.7 million and $154.1 million as of November 30, 2017, and August 31, 2017, respectively, is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended November 30, 2017, by segment, are as follows:
 Energy Ag Corporate
and Other
 Total
 (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2017$552
 $142,929
 $10,574
 $154,055
Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments
 (389) 
 (389)
Balances, November 30, 2017$552
 $142,540
 $10,574
 $153,666

No goodwill has been allocated to our Nitrogen Production or Foods segments, which consist of investments accounted for under the equity method.
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). Information regarding intangible assets that are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows:
 November 30,
2017
 August 31,
2017
 Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net
 (Dollars in thousands)
Customer lists$42,391
 $(11,695) $30,696
 $46,180
 $(14,695) $31,485
Trademarks and other intangible assets6,536
 (4,752) 1,784
 23,623
 (21,778) 1,845
Total intangible assets$48,927
 $(16,447) $32,480
 $69,803
 $(36,473) $33,330

Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, was $0.9 million and $1.3 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)
Year 1$3,395
Year 23,373
Year 33,095
Year 43,037
Year 52,755



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Note 6        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 November 30, 2017.

May 31, 2020. The table below summarizes our notes payable as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019.

November 30, 2017
August 31, 2017May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019

(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Notes payable$2,182,243

$1,695,423
$1,573,594

$1,330,550
CHS Capital notes payable298,021

292,792
641,989

825,558
Total notes payable$2,480,264

$1,988,215
$2,215,583

$2,156,108

On November 30, 2017,As of May 31, 2020, our primary line of credit was a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility provides a committed amount of $3.0$2.75 billion whichthat expires in September 2020. Theon July 16, 2024. As of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, the outstanding balance on this facility was $1.1 billion$800.0 million and $480.0$335.0 million, respectively. Additionally, on September 30, 2019, CHS Capital entered into a credit agreement with a revolving note. Under this agreement, CHS Capital has available capacity of $100.0 million, of which no amount was outstanding as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020.

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We have a receivables and loans securitization facility ("Securitization Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell trade accounts and notes receivable ("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC ("Cofina"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the Receivables to the Purchasers, and this 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 and settlements are made on a monthly basis. The Securitization Facility was amended on June 26, 2020, to extend its termination date to September 24, 2020, which may be further extended.

On June 26, 2020, we also amended our 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 May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017, respectively.2019, the outstanding balance under the Repurchase Facility was $150.0 million.

Interest expense for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019, was $40.7$26.7 million and $38.3$42.8 million, respectively, net of capitalized interest of $1.8$2.7 million and $1.6$2.5 million, respectively. Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, was $95.0 million and $123.0 million, respectively, net of capitalized interest of $8.9 million and $7.1 million, respectively.


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Note 7        Equities

Changes in Equities

Changes in equities for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2019, are as follows:
 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)
Balance, August 31, 2017$3,906,426
 $29,836
 $405,387
 $2,264,038
 $(183,670) $1,471,217
 $12,591
 $7,905,825
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates1,561
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1,561
Redemptions of equities(1,449) (53) (59) 
 
 
 
 (1,561)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 (84,334) 
 (84,334)
Other, net(1,498) (66) (344) 
 
 3,954
 (3) 2,043
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 180,083
 (464) 179,619
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
 
 
 
 5,225
 
 
 5,225
Estimated 2018 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (50,702) 
 (50,702)
Estimated 2018 equity redemptions(19,901) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (19,901)
Balance, November 30, 2017$3,885,139
 $29,717
 $404,984
 $2,264,038
 $(178,445) $1,520,218
 $12,124
 $7,937,775
 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, 2019$3,753,493
 $29,074
 $1,206,310
 $2,264,038
 $(226,933) $1,584,158
 $7,390
 $8,617,530
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates5,447
 
 
 
 
 
 
 5,447
Redemptions of equities(4,721) (54) (672) 
 
 
 
 (5,447)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 (84,334) 
 (84,334)
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment
 
 
 
 
 33,707
 
 33,707
Other, net(8) 
 (39) 
 
 (1,312) 410
 (949)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 177,882
 855
 178,737
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 (1,638) 
 
 (1,638)
Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (28,504) 
 (28,504)
Estimated 2020 equity redemptions(91,633) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (91,633)
Balances, November 30, 2019$3,662,578
 $29,020
 $1,205,599
 $2,264,038
 $(228,571) $1,681,597
 $8,655
 $8,622,916
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates3,387
 
 (472,398) 
 
 562,398
 
 93,387
Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds
 
 474,066
 
 
 (564,096) 
 (90,030)
Redemptions of equities(2,998) (20) (369) 
 
 
 
 (3,387)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 (42,167) 
 (42,167)
Other, net(201) 
 3
 
 
 10
 (324) (512)
Net income
 
 
 
 
 125,447
 247
 125,694
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 (10,585) 
 
 (10,585)
Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (22,206) 
 (22,206)
Estimated 2020 equity redemptions(49,154) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (49,154)
Balances, February 29, 2020$3,613,612
 $29,000
 $1,206,901
 $2,264,038
 $(239,156) $1,740,983
 $8,578
 $8,623,956
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates67,438
 
 10,000
 
 
 
 
 77,438
Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds
 
 327
 
 
 (409) 
 (82)
Redemptions of equities(64,273) (91) (13,074) 
 
 
 
 (77,438)
Other, net(1,544) (7) (116) 
 
 1,053
 8
 (606)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 97,648
 (147) 97,501
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 (2,009) 
 
 (2,009)
Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 13,551
 
 13,551
Estimated 2020 equity redemptions47,975
 
 
 
 
 
 
 47,975
Balances, May 31, 2020$3,663,208
 $28,902
 $1,204,038
 $2,264,038
 $(241,165) $1,852,826
 $8,439
 $8,780,286

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 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, 2018$3,837,580
 $29,498
 $742,378
 $2,264,038
 $(199,915) $1,482,003
 $9,446
 $8,165,028
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates24,072
 
 
 
 
 
 
 24,072
Redemptions of equities(22,004) (183) (1,885) 
 
 
 
 (24,072)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 (84,334) 
 (84,334)
Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments
 
 
 
 (4,706) 4,706
 
 
Other, net(409) 
 (26) 
 
 3,436
 318
 3,319
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 347,504
 (389) 347,115
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 389
 
 
 389
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (89,344) 
 (89,344)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions(50,081) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (50,081)
Balances, November 30, 2018$3,789,158
 $29,315
 $740,467
 $2,264,038
 $(204,232) $1,663,971
 $9,375
 $8,292,092
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates6,681
 
 (345,330) 
 
 420,330
 
 81,681
Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds
 
 349,353
 
 
 (424,333) 
 (74,980)
Redemptions of equities(5,988) (74) (619) 
 
 
 
 (6,681)
Preferred stock dividends
 
 
 
 
 (42,167) 
 (42,167)
Other, net(774) 
 2,589
 
 
 (2,888) (581) (1,654)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 248,766
 (462) 248,304
Other comprehensive income, net of tax
 
 
 
 14,884
 
 
 14,884
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (69,400) 
 (69,400)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions(39,850) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (39,850)
Balances, February 28, 2019$3,749,227
 $29,241
 $746,460
 $2,264,038
 $(189,348) $1,794,279
 $8,332
 $8,402,229
Reversal of prior year redemption estimates45,815
 
 
 
 
 
 
 45,815
Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds
 
 3,212
 
 
 (3,901) 
 (689)
Redemptions of equities(34,798) (34) (10,812) 
 
 
 
 (45,644)
Other, net(1,285) 
 (3,722) 
 
 4,526
 11
 (470)
Net income (loss)
 
 
 
 
 54,620
 93
 54,713
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
 
 
 
 (22,313) 
 
 (22,313)
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds
 
 
 
 
 (15,494) 
 (15,494)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions(6,438) 
 
 
 
 
 
 (6,438)
Balances, May 31, 2019$3,752,521
 $29,207
 $735,138
 $2,264,038
 $(211,661) $1,834,030
 $8,436
 $8,411,709

Preferred Stock Dividends

The following is a summary of dividends per share by series of preferred stock for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019. Note that due to the timing of dividend declarations during the fiscal year, no declarations were made during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019.
   Nine Months Ended May 31,
 Nasdaq symbol 2020 2019
Series of preferred stock: (Dollars per share)
8% Cumulative RedeemableCHSCP $1.50
 $1.50
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1CHSCO 1.48
 1.48
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2CHSCN 1.33
 1.33
Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3CHSCM 1.27
 1.27
Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4CHSCL 1.41
 1.41

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Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss)        

Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, are as follows for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016:2019:
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Unrealized Net Gain on Available for Sale Investments Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment TotalPension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of August 31, 2017, net of tax$(135,046) $10,041
 $(6,954) $(51,711) $(183,670)
Balance as of August 31, 2019, net of tax$(172,478) $15,297
 $(69,752) $(226,933)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:                
Amounts before reclassifications
 4,044
 (435) (1,008) 2,601
(85) (3,331) (2,411) (5,827)
Amounts reclassified out6,816
 
 429
 (2,042) 5,203
Amounts reclassified4,977
 (4,473) 
 504
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax6,816
 4,044
 (6) (3,050) 7,804
4,892
 (7,804) (2,411) (5,323)
Tax effect(2,620) (404) 2
 443
 (2,579)181
 1,932
 1,572
 3,685
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax4,196
 3,640
 (4) (2,607) 5,225
5,073
 (5,872) (839) (1,638)
Balance as of November 30, 2017, net of tax$(130,850) $13,681
 $(6,958) $(54,318) $(178,445)
Balance as of November 30, 2019, net of tax$(167,405) $9,425
 $(70,591) $(228,571)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:       
Amounts before reclassifications
 (5,975) (8,540) (14,515)
Amounts reclassified4,977
 (1,747) 
 3,230
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax4,977
 (7,722) (8,540) (11,285)
Tax effect(1,231) 1,910
 21
 700
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3,746
 (5,812) (8,519) (10,585)
Balance as of February 29, 2020, net of tax$(163,659) $3,613
 $(79,110) $(239,156)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:       
Amounts before reclassifications(340) 7,795
 (12,515) (5,060)
Amounts reclassified4,977
 1,263
 
 6,240
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax4,637
 9,058
 (12,515) 1,180
Tax effect(1,147) (2,241) 199
 (3,189)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3,490
 6,817
 (12,316) (2,009)
Balance as of May 31, 2020, net of tax$(160,169) $10,430
 $(91,426) $(241,165)

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Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Unrealized Net Gain on Available for Sale Investments Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment TotalPension and Other Postretirement Benefits Unrealized Net Gain on Available for Sale Investments Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total
(Dollars in thousands)(Dollars in thousands)
Balance as of August 31, 2016, net of tax$(165,146) $5,656
 $(9,196) $(43,040) $(211,726)
Balance as of August 31, 2018, net of tax$(140,335) $8,861
 $(5,882) $(62,559) $(199,915)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:                  
Amounts before reclassifications
 1,259
 620
 (18,940) (17,061)175
 
 (317) (25) (167)
Amounts reclassified out5,250
 
 440
 (15) 5,675
Amounts reclassified2,565
 
 (1,475) 
 1,090
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax5,250
 1,259
 1,060
 (18,955) (11,386)2,740
 
 (1,792) (25) 923
Tax effect(2,011) (482) (406) (209) (3,108)(639) 
 485
 (380) (534)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax3,239
 777
 654
 (19,164) (14,494)2,101
 
 (1,307) (405) 389
Balance as of November 30, 2016, net of tax$(161,907) $6,433
 $(8,542) $(62,204) $(226,220)
Reclassifications416
 (8,861) 983
 2,756
 (4,706)
Balance as of November 30, 2018, net of tax$(137,818) $
 $(6,206) $(60,208) $(204,232)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:         
Amounts before reclassifications102
 
 18,954
 3,176
 22,232
Amounts reclassified2,564
 
 (5,677) 
 (3,113)
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax2,666
 
 13,277
 3,176
 19,119
Tax effect(664) 
 (3,308) (263) (4,235)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax2,002
 
 9,969
 2,913
 14,884
Balance as of February 28, 2019, net of tax$(135,816) $
 $3,763
 $(57,295) $(189,348)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:         
Amounts before reclassifications(164) 
 (19,680) (7,725) (27,569)
Amounts reclassified2,564
 
 (1,385) 
 1,179
Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax2,400
 
 (21,065) (7,725) (26,390)
Tax effect(904) 
 5,248
 (267) 4,077
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax1,496
 
 (15,817) (7,992) (22,313)
Balance as of May 31, 2019, net of tax$(134,320) $
 $(12,054) $(65,287) $(211,661)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily related to pension and other post-retirement benefits.postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges, available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments. Pension and other post-retirementpostretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts and are recorded as cost of goods sold, marketing, general and administrative expenses, and other income (see Note 8, Benefit Plans, for further information). Gains or losses associated with cash flow hedges are recorded as cost of goods sold (see Note 11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for further information). Gains or losses on the sale of available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation reclassifications related to sales of businesses are recorded as other income.


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Note 8        Benefit Plans

We have various pension and other defined benefit and defined contribution plans, in which substantially all employees may participate. We also have non-qualifiednonqualified supplemental executive and Board retirement plans.


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Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months endedNovember 30, 2017, May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019, are as follows:
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Non-Qualified
Pension Benefits
 Other BenefitsThree Months Ended May 31,
2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended November 30 are as follows: (Dollars in thousands)
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands)
Service cost$9,919
 $9,383
 $137
 $259
 $236
 $353
$10,538
 $9,648
 $101
 $78
 $262
 $263
Interest cost6,002
 7,692
 178
 352
 227
 427
5,431
 7,099
 107
 186
 187
 274
Expected return on assets(12,040) (12,014) 
 
 
 
(11,671) (11,242) 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit) amortization359
 402
 8
 57
 (141) (30)45
 42
 (28) (19) (111) (139)
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization6,888
 4,765
 15
 173
 (306) (116)
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization5,396
 3,087
 25
 1
 (348) (407)
Net periodic benefit cost$11,128
 $10,228
 $338
 $841
 $16
 $634
$9,739
 $8,634
 $205
 $246
 $(10) $(9)
           
Nine Months Ended May 31,
Qualified
Pension Benefits
 
Nonqualified
Pension Benefits
 Other Benefits
2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019
Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands)
Service cost$31,613
 $28,944
 $304
 $233
 $787
 $790
Interest cost16,292
 21,297
 322
 560
 560
 821
Expected return on assets(35,013) (33,726) 
 
 
 
Prior service cost (credit) amortization134
 127
 (85) (56) (334) (417)
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization16,187
 9,261
 74
 2
 (1,044) (1,221)
Settlement loss
 169
 
 
 
 
Net periodic benefit cost$29,213
 $26,072
 $615
 $739
 $(31) $(27)

The service cost component of defined benefit net periodic benefit cost is recorded in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are recorded in other income.

Employer Contributions

TotalAny contributions to be made during fiscal 20182020 will depend primarily on market returns on the pension plan assets and minimum funding level requirements. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, weNo contributions were made no contributions to the pension plans. At this time,plans during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and we do not currently anticipate being required to make a contributioncontributions for our benefitpension plans in fiscal 2018.2020.

Note 9        Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2020, was (38.4)%, compared to 11.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2019. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, was (4.8)%, compared to 5.9% for the nine months ended May 31, 2019. The decreased effective tax rate reflects a tax benefit for the settlement of a U.S. federal audit resulting in additional tax credit carryovers, as well as the equity management assumptions used in fiscal 2020 and the associated impact on income taxes.

It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next 12 months. We have ongoing federal, state and international income tax audits in various jurisdictions and are evaluating uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local tax authorities and not fully sustained. These uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted in light of facts and circumstances, including progression of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitation. The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, are $111.1 million and $93.3 million, respectively.




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Note 910        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 nutrient 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,decision-maker, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance and allocates resources in managing our business.businesses. We have aggregated those operating segments into fourthree reportable segments: Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production and Foods.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 entitles us, pursuant to a supply agreement that we entered into with CF Nitrogen, to purchase up to a specified annual quantity of granular urea and urea ammonium nitrate ("UAN") annually from CF Nitrogen. Our Foods segment consists solely of our equity method investment in Ventura Foods. Corporate and Other primarily represents our non-consolidated wheat milling operations, as well as our financing and hedging businesses, which primarily consist of commodities hedging and insurance operations.financial services related to crop production. Our nonconsolidated investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills are also included in Corporate and Other.

Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each business segment and Corporate and Other, based on direct usage 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 in 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 fall 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, ethanol, 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

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due to plant disease or insects, drought, the availability and adequacy of supply, government regulations and policies, world events, and general political and economic conditions.

While our revenues and operating results are derived primarily from businesses and operations that are wholly-owned or subsidiaries and limited liability companies in which are wholly owned and majority owned,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. See Note 4,5, Investments, for more information on these entities.

Reconciling Amountsamounts primarily represent the elimination of revenues and interest between segments. Such transactions are executed at market prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of the individual business segments.
        











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Segment information for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017, May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019, is presented in the tables below. Our Ag segment information includes results associated with our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in West Central Distribution, LLC ("WCD") that we did not previously own prior to March 1, 2019. Results are comparable for the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019; however, results for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, are not comparable as the results of WCD were not included during the first six months of fiscal 2019. Refer to further details related to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own in Note 15, Acquisitions.

Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Foods Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2017:(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$2,087,703

$6,086,680

$
 $
 $18,775

$(144,269)
$8,048,889
Operating earnings (loss)117,173

60,822

(3,135) (2,467) 4,488



176,881
(Gain) loss on investments

(2,819)

 
 



(2,819)
Interest expense5,635

17,604

13,272
 
 4,581

(390)
40,702
Other (income) loss(393) (20,228) (1,738) 
 (226) 390
 (22,195)
Equity (income) loss from investments(1,152)
(8,254)
(20,335) (3,440) (5,181)


(38,362)
Income (loss) before income taxes$113,083

$74,519

$5,666
 $973
 $5,314

$

$199,555
Intersegment revenues$(137,204)
$(4,033)
$
 $
 $(3,032)
$144,269

$
              
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Foods Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2016:(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$1,700,180
 $6,435,994
 $
 $
 $27,441
 $(115,365) $8,048,250
Operating earnings (loss)72,780
 109,597
 (4,029) (2,797) 10,940
 
 186,491
(Gain) loss on investments
 7,385
 
 
 16
 
 7,401
Interest expense4,268
 16,339
 12,736
 
 7,974
 (3,052) 38,265
Other (income) loss(309) (17,923) (29,106) 
 (115) 3,052
 (44,401)
Equity (income) loss from investments(1,162) (5,417) (14,696) (13,369) (5,684) 
 (40,328)
Income (loss) before income taxes$69,983
 $109,213
 $27,037
 $10,572
 $8,749
 $
 $225,554
Intersegment revenues$(110,087) $(3,765) $
 $
 $(1,513) $115,365
 $
              

Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2020(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$960,352

$6,340,386

$
 $13,515

$(73,222)
$7,241,031
Intersegment revenues(69,433) (2,485) 
 (1,304) 73,222
 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$890,919
 $6,337,901
 $
 $12,211
 $
 $7,241,031
Operating earnings (loss)(56,792)
95,328

(7,936) 7,320



37,920
Interest expense(145)
16,261

10,176
 1,810

(1,441)
26,661
Other income(614) (8,294) (355) (254) 1,441
 (8,076)
Equity income from investments(1,269)
(7,999)
(41,264) (582)


(51,114)
Income (loss) before income taxes$(54,764)
$95,360

$23,507
 $6,346

$

$70,449
            
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
Three Months Ended May 31, 2019(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$1,841,290
 $6,749,182
 $
 $16,418
 $(108,949) $8,497,941
Intersegment revenues(103,245) (4,067) 
 (1,637) 108,949
 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$1,738,045
 $6,745,115
 $
 $14,781
 $
 $8,497,941
Operating earnings (loss)572
 12,090
 (9,040) 2,622
 
 6,244
Interest expense1,171
 26,675
 13,140
 3,883
 (2,096) 42,773
Other income(1,098) (31,685) (399) (1,852) 2,096
 (32,938)
Equity income from investments(760) (4,012) (41,959) (18,439) 
 (65,170)
Income before income taxes$1,259
 $21,112
 $20,178
 $19,030
 $
 $61,579
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$4,550,155
 $17,183,820
 $
 $43,514
 $(316,747) $21,460,742
Intersegment revenues(302,763) (9,862) 
 (4,122) 316,747
 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$4,247,392
 $17,173,958
 $
 $39,392
 $
 $21,460,742
Operating earnings (loss)241,594
 88,102
 (26,318) 7,239
 
 310,617
Interest expense43
 57,761
 34,277
 8,680
 (5,718) 95,043
Other income(2,516) (31,142) (2,272) (2,714) 5,718
 (32,926)
Equity (income) loss from investments(2,242) 830
 (104,021) (29,741) 
 (135,174)
Income before income taxes$246,309
 $60,653
 $45,698
 $31,014
 $
 $383,674
Total assets as of May 31, 2020$4,545,401
 $6,742,438
 $2,743,305
 $2,796,080
 $
 $16,827,224
            
 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate
and Other
 Reconciling
Amounts
 Total
Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues, including intersegment revenues$5,722,338
 $18,056,033
 $
 $52,179
 $(364,781) $23,465,769
Intersegment revenues(348,228) (10,976) 
 (5,577) 364,781
 
Revenues, net of intersegment revenues$5,374,110
 $18,045,057
 $
 $46,602
 $
 $23,465,769
Operating earnings (loss)537,932
 45,088
 (24,048) 11,415
 
 570,387
Interest expense3,756
 73,073
 42,161
 7,945
 (3,985) 122,950
Other income(4,301) (64,341) (2,362) (2,816) 3,985
 (69,835)
Equity (income) loss from investments(1,828) (2,675) (118,416) (50,475) 
 (173,394)
Income before income taxes$540,305
 $39,031
 $54,569
 $56,761
 $
 $690,666

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Note 1011        Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Our derivative instruments primarily consist of commodity and freight futures and forward contracts and, to a lesserminor degree, may include foreign currency and interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but we do not apply hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, except with respect to certain interest rate swap contracts whichaccounted for as fair value hedges and certain future crude oil purchases that are accounted for as cash flow or fair value hedges. Derivative instruments are primarily recorded within other current assets and other current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as described in Note 11,12, Fair Value Measurements.


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Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset 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 - Overall.
 November 30, 2017
   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 and freight derivatives$324,867
 $
 $36,052
 $288,815
Foreign exchange derivatives4,297
 
 2,741
 1,556
Interest rate derivatives - hedge3,596
 
 
 3,596
Embedded derivative asset22,271
 
 
 22,271
Total$355,031
 $
 $38,793
 $316,238
Derivative Liabilities:       
Commodity and freight derivatives$224,656
 $10,358
 $36,052
 $178,246
Foreign exchange derivatives7,556
 
 2,741
 4,815
Interest rate derivatives - hedge2,641
 
 
 2,641
Total$234,853
 $10,358
 $38,793
 $185,702

 May 31, 2020
   Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting  
 Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount
 (Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets       
Commodity derivatives$377,198
 $
 $48,562
 $328,636
Foreign exchange derivatives13,828
 
 11,728
 2,100
Embedded derivative asset18,636
 
 
 18,636
Total$409,662
 $
 $60,290
 $349,372
Derivative Liabilities       
Commodity derivatives$282,505
 $1,487
 $95,559
 $185,459
Foreign exchange derivatives92,962
 
 11,728
 81,234
Total$375,467
 $1,487
 $107,287
 $266,693
 August 31, 2017
   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 and freight derivatives$384,648
 $
 $35,080
 $349,568
Foreign exchange derivatives8,771
 
 3,636
 5,135
Interest rate derivatives - hedge9,978
 
 
 9,978
Embedded derivative asset25,533
 
 
 25,533
Total$428,930
 $
 $38,716
 $390,214
Derivative Liabilities:       
Commodity and freight derivatives$309,762
 $3,898
 $35,080
 $270,784
Foreign exchange derivatives19,931
 
 3,636
 16,295
Interest rate derivatives - hedge707
 
 
 707
Total$330,400
 $3,898
 $38,716
 $287,786
 August 31, 2019
   Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting  
 Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount
 (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

Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities of 12 months or less are recorded in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities greater than 12 months are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of long-term derivative assets, and liabilitiesexcluding derivatives designated as cash flow or fair value hedges, recorded on theour Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at November 30, 2017, were $71.8Sheets as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, was $25.3 million and $8.6$26.6 million, respectively. The amount of long-term derivative assets and liabilities, recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at August 31, 2017, were $196.9 million and $14.4 million, respectively.excluding derivatives designated as cash flow or fair value hedges,

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Derivatives Not Designatedrecorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as Hedging Instrumentsof May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, was $9.0 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes.instruments. The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months endedNovember 30, 2017, May 31, 2020, and 2016.

2019.
 For the Three Months Ended November 30, Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
Location of
Gain (Loss)
 2017 2016Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019
 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivativesCost of goods sold $27,752
 $18,410
Commodity derivativesCost of goods sold $85,259
 $(23,749) $228,201
 $41,814
Foreign exchange derivativesCost of goods sold 6,766
 6,024
Cost of goods sold (129,699) (13,040) (177,008) 14,941
Foreign exchange derivativesMarketing, general and administrative (495) 145
Marketing, general and administrative expenses (2,553) (7) (615) (1,421)
Interest rate derivativesInterest expense (1) 2
Embedded derivativeOther income 1,738
 29,106
Other income 355
 399
 2,272
 2,362
TotalTotal $35,760
 $53,687
Total $(46,638) $(36,397) $52,850
 $57,696

Commodity and Freight Contracts
    
As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017,2019, we had outstanding commodity futures options and freightoptions 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 and freight contracts accounted for as derivative instruments.
 November 30, 2017 August 31, 2017
 Long Short Long Short
 (Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels588,263
 805,041
 570,673
 768,540
Energy products - barrels16,254
 19,300
 15,072
 18,252
Processed grain and oilseed - tons196
 1,700
 299
 2,347
Crop nutrients - tons25
 4
 9
 15
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons4,785
 3,144
 2,777
 1,766
Rail freight - rail cars151
 68
 176
 75
Natural gas - MMBtu1,500
 
 500
 
 May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019
 Long Short Long Short
 (Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed (bushels)673,234
 788,434
 547,096
 717,522
Energy products (barrels)18,970
 9,168
 13,895
 4,663
Processed grain and oilseed (tons)858
 1,686
 597
 2,454
Crop nutrients (tons)144
 
 76
 23
Ocean freight (metric tons)435
 250
 295
 85
Natural gas (MMBtu)
 
 130
 

Foreign Exchange Contracts

We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S. dollars, but we are exposed to risk regardingrisks relating to foreign currency fluctuations even though a substantial amountprimarily due to global grain marketing transactions in South America, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, and purchases of international sales are denominated in U.S. dollars. In addition to specific transactional exposure,products from Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Although we have some risk exposure related to foreign currency transactions, a larger impact with exchange rate fluctuations can impactis 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 $646.3 million$1.5 billion and $776.7$894.7 million as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 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 in November of each yearIndustries. These payments will continue on an annual basis until the date that the 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 three months ended November 30, 2016, CF Industries'Industries credit rating was reduced below the specified levels andduring fiscal 2017, we have received aan annual payment of $5.0 million payment from CF Industries, which was recorded as a gainIndustries. Gains totaling $2.3 million and $2.4 million were recognized in other income in our Condensed Consolidated Statement

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of Operations. We also recorded an embedded derivative asset of $24.1 million on our Consolidated Balance Sheet and a corresponding gain in our Consolidated StatementStatements of Operations for the fair value of the embedded derivative asset during the threenine months ended November 30, 2016. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, we received a second $5.0 million payment from CF Industries.May 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. The fair value of the embedded derivative asset recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, was equal to $22.3$18.6 million. The current and long-term portions of the embedded derivative asset are included in derivative

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other current assets and other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. See Note 11,12, Fair Value Measurements, for moreadditional information on theregarding valuation of the embedded derivative asset.

Derivatives Designated as Fair Value or Cash Flow Hedging Strategies

Fair Value Hedges

During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we unwound 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 November 30, 2017, and August 31, 2017,2019, we havehad 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. 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 received fixed-rate interest payments and made interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR. Offsetting changes in the 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. During
The following table presents the fair value of our derivative interest rate swap instruments designated as fair value hedges and the line item on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded.
Balance Sheet Location May 31,
2020
 August 31, 2019
  (Dollars in thousands)
Other assets $
 $9,841

The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019.
    Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Relationships Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019
    (Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate swaps Interest expense $(4,705) $(8,122) $(1,897) $(15,129)
Hedged item Interest expense 4,705
 8,122
 1,897
 15,129
Total $
 $
 $
 $

The following table provides the location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019.
  May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019
Balance Sheet Location Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities
  (Dollars in thousands)
Long-term debt $
 $
 $334,389
 $30,611

Cash Flow Hedges

In fiscal 2018, our Energy segment began designating certain pay-fixed, receive-variable, cash-settled swaps as cash flow hedges of future crude oil purchases. We also began designating certain pay-variable, receive-fixed, cash-settled swaps 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 recorded offsetting fair value adjustmentslook to hedge a portion of $8.3our 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 May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2019, the aggregate notional amount of cash flow hedges was 10.0 million and $13.37.7 million respectively, with no ineffectiveness recorded in earnings.barrels, respectively.


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The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the line items on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded.
  Derivative Assets   Derivative Liabilities
Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019
  (Dollars in thousands)   (Dollars in thousands)
Other current assets $39,620
 $33,179
 Other current liabilities $15,945
 $5,351

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019:
  Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
  2020 2019 2020 2019
  (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivatives $11,081
 $(21,029) $(4,153) $(9,323)

The following table presents the pretax gains relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019:
   Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 Location of Gain 2020 2019 2020 2019
   (Dollars in thousands)
Commodity derivativesCost of goods sold $884
 $1,810
 $7,862
 $9,812

Note 1112        Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, 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. The standard also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, 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 or market data that a market participant would obtain from independent sources to value the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based uponon the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels.levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include 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, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.


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Recurring fair value measurements at November 30, 2017,as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 2017,2019, are as follows:
 November 30, 2017
 
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 and freight derivatives$29,637
 $295,230
 $
 $324,867
Foreign currency derivatives
 4,297
 
 4,297
Interest rate swap derivatives
 3,596
 
 3,596
Deferred compensation assets53,348
 
 
 53,348
Deferred purchase price receivable
 
 521,502
 521,502
Embedded derivative asset
 22,271
 
 22,271
Other assets17,784
 
 
 17,784
Total$100,769
 $325,394
 $521,502
 $947,665
Liabilities: 
  
    
Commodity and freight derivatives$25,299
 $199,357
 $
 $224,656
Foreign currency derivatives
 7,556
 
 7,556
Interest rate swap derivatives
 2,641
 
 2,641
Total$25,299
 $209,554
 $
 $234,853

 May 31, 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$43,785
 $373,033
 $
 $416,818
Foreign exchange derivatives
 13,733
 
 13,733
Deferred compensation assets44,668
 
 
 44,668
Embedded derivative asset
 18,636
 
 18,636
Segregated investments94,233
 
 
 94,233
Other assets5,478
 
 
 5,478
Total$188,164
 $405,402
 $
 $593,566
Liabilities 
  
    
Commodity derivatives$89,891
 $208,559
 $
 $298,450
Foreign exchange derivatives
 92,962
 
 92,962
Total$89,891
 $301,521
 $
 $391,412
August 31, 2017August 31, 2019
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 Total
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)(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:       
Commodity and freight derivatives$48,491
 $336,157
 $
 $384,648
Foreign currency derivatives
 8,771
 
 8,771
Assets       
Commodity derivatives$67,817
 $180,392
 $
 $248,209
Foreign exchange derivatives
 10,339
 
 10,339
Interest rate swap derivatives
 9,978
 
 9,978

 9,841
 
 9,841
Deferred compensation assets52,414
 
 
 52,414
40,368
 
 
 40,368
Deferred purchase price receivable
 
 548,602
 548,602
Embedded derivative asset
 25,533
 
 25,533

 21,364
 
 21,364
Segregated investments77,777
 
 
 77,777
Other assets14,846
 
 
 14,846
6,519
 
 
 6,519
Total$115,751
 $380,439
 $548,602
 $1,044,792
$192,481
 $221,936
 $
 $414,417
Liabilities:       
Commodity and freight derivatives$31,189
 $278,573
 $
 $309,762
Foreign currency derivatives
 19,931
 
 19,931
Interest rate swap derivatives
 707
 
 707
Liabilities       
Commodity derivatives$40,305
 $188,455
 $
 $228,760
Foreign exchange derivatives
 20,701
 
 20,701
Total$31,189
 $299,211
 $
 $330,400
$40,305
 $209,156
 $
 $249,461

Commodity freight and foreign currencyexchange derivatives. 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 over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location specificlocation-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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold.

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Interest rate swap derivatives. Fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives are determined utilizingusing valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value these OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contracts, as well as market observable inputs, such as interest rates and credit risk assumptions, are factored into the models. As all significant

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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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest expense. See Note 10,11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information about interest ratesrate swaps designated as fair value and cash flow hedges.
        
Deferred compensation and other assets. 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses.

Deferred purchase price receivable — The fair value of the DPP receivable included in receivables, net and other assets, is determined by discounting the expected cash flows to be received. The expected cash flows are primarily based on unobservable inputs consisting of the face amount of the Receivables adjusted for anticipated credit losses. Significant changes in the anticipated credit losses could result in a significantly higher (or lower) fair value measurement. Due to the use of significant unobservable inputs in the pricing model, including management's assumptions related to anticipated credit losses, the DPP receivable is classified as a Level 3 fair value measurement. The reconciliation of the DPP receivable for the period ended November 30, 2017, is included in Note 2, Receivables.
Embedded derivative asset. The embedded derivative asset relates to contingent payments inherent into our investment in CF Nitrogen. The inputs intoused 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 to be 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 10,11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information.

Segregated investments. Our segregated investments are composed primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are valued using quoted market prices and classified within Level 1.

There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three or nine months ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.

Note 1213        Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental

We are required to comply with various environmental laws and regulations incidental to our normal business operations. In order toTo meet our compliance requirements, we establish reserves for the probable future costs of remediation of identified issues, which are included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. 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 condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flowsstatements 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 condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flowsstatements during any fiscal year.

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Guarantees

We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, non-consolidatednonconsolidated companies. As of November 30, 2017, ourOur bank covenants allowedallow maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $101.4$163.8 million were outstanding.outstanding on May 31, 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 were current as of November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.

Lease Commitments
Note 14        Leases

On November 30, 2017,We adopted ASC Topic 842 on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we completedused 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 a result of using the additional optional transition method and following a modified retrospective approach, prior periods have not been restated, and a $33.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment 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 transaction forof our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. SimultaneousOur accounting for finance leases (previously referred to as capital leases) remains substantially unchanged; however, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in recognition of operating

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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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or Condensed 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 right 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 closingright to use an identified asset; however, most of these arrangements are not considered to represent a lease as we do 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 sale,right of use asset and liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the Company enteredrenewal 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 20-year operatingsingle lease arrangement with base annual rentcomponent for all asset classes. Variable lease payments are excluded from measurement of approximately $3.4 million duringright 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 first year, followed by annual increases of 2% throughrate implicit in the remainder oflease. 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 period.term. The components of lease expense recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows:
 Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
 (Dollars in thousands)
Operating lease expense$17,057
 $53,155
Finance lease expense:   
Amortization of assets1,908
 5,170
Interest on lease liabilities257
 742
Short-term lease expense3,108
 12,768
Variable lease expense1,176
 2,089
Total net lease expense*$23,506
 $73,924
*Income related to sub-lease activity is not material and has been excluded from the table above.


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Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and finance leases is as follows:
 Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020
   (Dollars in thousands)
Operating leases   
Assets   
Operating lease right of use assetsOther assets $261,125
Liabilities   
Current operating lease liabilitiesAccrued expenses 57,470
Long-term operating lease liabilitiesOther liabilities 206,299
Total operating lease liabilities $263,769
    
Finance leases   
Assets   
Finance lease assetsProperty, plant and equipment $42,854
Liabilities   
Current finance lease liabilitiesCurrent portion of long-term debt 6,710
Long-term finance lease liabilitiesLong-term debt 22,443
Total finance lease liabilities $29,153
    
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)   
Operating leases 8.5
Finance leases 6.2
    
Weighted average discount rate   
Operating leases 3.13%
Finance leases 3.31%

Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows:
 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$45,718
Operating cash flows from finance leases742
Financing cash flows from finance leases5,239
Supplemental noncash information: 
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities32,567
Right of use asset modifications6,507


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Maturities of lease liabilities as of May 31, 2020, were as follows:
 May 31, 2020
 Finance Leases Operating Leases
 (Dollars in thousands)
Remainder of fiscal 2020$1,689
 $17,401
Fiscal 20217,297
 61,134
Fiscal 20226,141
 47,348
Fiscal 20235,472
 37,260
Fiscal 20243,067
 29,368
After fiscal 20249,339
 174,940
Total maturities of lease liabilities33,005
 367,451
Less amounts representing interest3,852
 103,682
Present value of future minimum lease payments29,153
 263,769
Less current obligations6,710
 57,470
Long-term obligations$22,443
 $206,299

Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption of New Lease Standard

The following pertains to previously disclosed information from Note 6, Property, Plant and Equipment, and Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies, contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019, which incorporates information about leases now in the scope of ASC Topic 842 discussed above. 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
 Capital Leases Operating 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
  

Note 13        Subsequent Events15        Acquisitions

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 United 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 which 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 pro rata basis. 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 Tax Reformand 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 price we paid for the remaining 75% interest. The acquisition-date fair value of the previous equity interest was $37.8 million

On December 22, 2017,
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and is included in measurement of the Tax Cutsconsideration transferred. We recognized a gain of approximately $19.1 million as a result of remeasuring our prior equity interest in WCD held before acquisition of the remaining 75% interest. The gain was included in other income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2019.

Allocation of the purchase price for this transaction resulted in goodwill of $61.4 million, which is nondeductible for tax purposes, and Jobs Act was signed into law.definite-lived intangible assets of $47.2 million. As this acquisition is not considered to have a material impact on our financial statements, pro forma results of operations are not presented. The law includes significant changesacquisition resulted in fair value measurements that are not on a recurring basis and did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Purchase accounting has been finalized and the fair values assigned to the U.S. corporate tax system, including a Federal corporate rate reduction from 35% to 21%, repeal of the Section 199 Domestic Production Activities Deduction and enactment of the Deductionnet assets acquired are as follows:
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cash$8,033
Current assets708,764
Property, plant and equipment44,064
Goodwill61,358
Intangible assets47,200
Other assets55
Liabilities(718,262)
Total net assets acquired$151,212

Operating results for Qualified Business Income of Pass-Thru Entities. WeWCD are in the process of analyzing the legislation and determining an estimate of the financial impact. Currently, we expect to record a material tax benefit due to the revaluation of our net deferred tax liability position included in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.Statements of Operations from the day of the acquisition on March 1, 2019. WCD revenues and income before income taxes were $410.0 million and $14.2 million, respectively, for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and $255.6 million and $10.5 million, respectively, for the nine months ended May 31, 2019. Due to the timing of the acquisition during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, WCD's results prior to acquisition were not included in the comparable year-to-date period of the prior year.


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ITEM 2.    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 our 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:

Overview
Business Strategy
Fiscal 2018 First2020 Third Quarter Highlights
Fiscal 2018 Priorities2020 Trends Update
Fiscal 2018 Trends UpdateOperating Metrics
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off BalanceOff-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements
Contractual Obligations
Critical Accounting Policies
Effect of Inflation and Foreign Currency Transactions
Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Our MD&A should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 20172019 (including the information presented therein under Risk Factors), as well as the condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Item 1 of Part I, and the risk factor included in Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


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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. We operate in the following fourthree reportable segments:

Energy Segment - produces. Produces and provides primarily for the wholesale distribution of petroleum products and transportation of thosepetroleum products.
Ag Segment - purchases. 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 Segment - consists. Consists solely of our equity method investment in CF Industries Nitrogen LLC ("CF Nitrogen") and produces and distributes nitrogen fertilizer, a commodity chemical.
Foods Segment - consists solely of our equity method investment in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods") and is a processor and distributor of edible oils used in food preparation and a packager of food products.fertilizer.

In addition, other operating activities, primarily our non-consolidatedfinancing and hedging businesses, along with our nonconsolidated wheat milling and food production and distribution joint venture, as well as our financing, hedging and insurance operations,ventures, have been aggregated within Corporate and Other.
    
The condensed 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.

Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each reporting 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 before income taxes.taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and costs. As such,global trade volumes. 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, workingleverage, capital capital deployment, capital resourcesallocation and overall leverage.cash flow optimization.

Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and income are generally lowesttrend lower during the second and fourth fiscal quarters and highesthigher during the first and third fiscal quarters.quarters; however, weather or other events may impact this trend, particularly for IBIT. For example, in our Ag

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segment, our crop nutrients and country operations businessesbusiness generally experienceexperiences higher volumes and income during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters, respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and in the fall, which corresponds to harvest.season. Our global grain marketing operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and earningsincome based on producer harvests, world grain prices, demand and demand.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, maygenerally experience higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and crop dryingfall crop-drying seasons. The graphs below depict the seasonality inherent in our business.businesses.

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revenuechartq1fy18.jpg

ibitchartq1fy18.jpgchart-e1104a434552525c8c8.jpg
* It should be noted the third quarter of fiscal 2017 was impacted by material charges that caused incomeIncome (loss) before income taxes for that period to deviateexperienced deviations from historical trends.trends during fiscal 2020, fiscal 2019 and fiscal 2018 as a result of gains on sales of noncore assets, recoveries of previously recorded losses and a combination of other factors, including the impact of COVID-19 that negatively impacted our Energy segment earnings and poor weather conditions that negatively impacted our Ag segment earnings.

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 eventsglobal trade disputes and general political/economic conditions.

Business Strategy

Our business strategy is to help our owners grow by maximizing returns and optimizing our various operations to ensure that our core businesses are strategically positioned today and for the future. We are focusing on improving efficiency and, when necessary, disposing of assets that that are not strategic and/or do not meet our internal measurement expectations. We are also focused on maintaining financial flexibility by optimizing debt levels and ensuring adequate financial liquidity so we can effectively operate throughout the agriculture and energy economic cycles.


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Foreign Corrupt Practices Act Update. As previously reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018, we contacted the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") to voluntarily self-disclose potential violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977 ("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 its review of this matter, we have cooperated with the DOJ’s and SEC’s evaluation of other areas of potential interest relating to the FCPA. On February 25, 2020, 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.

Business Strategy

Our business strategies focus on an enterprise-wide effort to create an experience that empowers customers to make CHS their first choice, expands market access to add value for our owners, and transforms and evolves our core businesses by capitalizing on changing market dynamics. To execute on these strategies, we are 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 a strong balance sheet.

Fiscal 2018 First2020 Third Quarter Highlights

Margins were lower inImproved weather conditions during the spring planting season compared to the prior year drove increased volumes and margin across much of our Ag segment compared to prior year results; however, we did see improvementsduring the third quarter of fiscal 2020.
Less advantageous market conditions in our Energyrefined fuels business, driven primarily by the recent outbreak and pandemic of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and other factors, resulted in volume and price declines and significantly reduced earnings compared to the prior year.
Long-term debt (including the current portion) was reduced by $172.0 million by monetizing certain assets
As more fully described in Note 1, Basis of Presentation and actively managing cash flow.
Continued our active managementSignificant Accounting Policies, of the balance sheet whichnotes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, due to the macroeconomic and industry conditions in the early months of the third quarter of fiscal 2020, a goodwill impairment test of a reporting unit and long-lived asset tests in our Ag segment were deemed necessary. As a result of these tests, the estimated fair value of the reporting unit and undiscounted cash flows of the asset groups exceeded the carrying values, and thus no impairments were recorded. We will continue to monitor financial results and projected cash flows to assess whether any impairments may be necessary in the future.
Similar to other energy producers, price declines and volatility associated with the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 pandemic, impacted our refined fuels business and resulted in a $42.0 million noncash charge to reduce inventories to their market value at the decisionend of the period. This charge may increase or decrease in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, based on market prices observed at our fiscal year-end. Any adjustments that no cash patronageexist as of year-end would be issuedconsidered permanent and incorporated into the LIFO carrying value of the inventories.
As more fully described in fiscal 2018Item 4 of Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we continued dedicating significant internal and external resources, as well as executive and board focus, to improving our control environment.
We responded to the COVID-19 pandemic by implementing significant remote working arrangements for fiscal 2017 results,approximately half our global employees, increased hygiene and equity retirements wouldinfection control processes at all of our facilities and developed risk mitigation and exposure policies applicable to our enterprise. The costs of these activities were not and are not expected to be limitedmaterial. In addition, our operations were deemed to $10 million for estates.be essential infrastructure industries by federal and state governments, which allowed us to continue operating all of our facilities and operations.

Fiscal 2018 Priorities Update

During the three months ended November 30, 2017, we continue to make improvements in our management of risk and the granting of credit through enhancements in the related policies, practices and operations. We finalized decisions to dispose of certain assets within our Ag segment that were determined to not be strategic and were not meeting our performance expectations. We also continued our focus on restoring financial flexibility by monetizing certain assets and paying down long-term debt.

Fiscal 20182020 Trends Update

Our business is cyclicalAs with virtually all other companies in the United States, we are dealing with COVID-19. We continue to mobilize our resources (operational, people and the Ag and Energy industries are currentlyfinancial) to be in a challenging environment characterized by reduced commodity prices, lower margins, reduced liquidityposition to best serve our customers, owners and increased leverage. Weother stakeholders as the social, economic and financial impacts of COVID-19 continue to unfold. Most of our operations are unableconsidered to predict how long this current environmentbe essential and we believe our operations will last or how severe it will ultimately be;continue to not be significantly impacted; however, at this time, although there was an increase in Energy margins inperiods of depressed demand and pricing within the firstU.S. ethanol production and refined fuels industries during the third quarter of fiscal 2018,2020 resulted in decreased profitability and the need to assess for potential impairments. As a result, we do not foresee significant changesrecorded a noncash charge to reduce our refined fuels inventory to its market value at the end of the period. Like all energy producers, we are impacted by fluctuations in energy commodity prices by the requirement to reduce our inventory values to the core economic environment during the remainderlower of fiscal 2018. During this period, we expect our revenues, marginscost or market and cash flows from our core operations toshould energy commodity prices continue to decline, we may be under pressure.

subject to additional noncash lower of cost or market adjustments, which

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Results of Operations

Consolidated Statements of Operations
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 2017 2016
 
(Dollars in thousands)

Revenues$8,048,889
 $8,048,250
Cost of goods sold7,735,627
 7,695,553
Gross profit313,262
 352,697
Marketing, general and administrative140,168
 147,849
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net(3,787) 18,357
Operating earnings (loss)176,881
 186,491
(Gain) loss on investments(2,819) 7,401
Interest expense40,702
 38,265
Other (income) loss(22,195) (44,401)
Equity (income) loss from investments(38,362) (40,328)
Income (loss) before income taxes199,555
 225,554
Income tax expense (benefit)19,936
 16,612
Net income (loss)179,619
 208,942
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests(464) (208)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc. $180,083
 $209,150

The charts below detail revenues and income (loss) before income taxes by reportable segment for the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Our Nitrogen Production and Foods reportable segments represent equity methods investments, and as such record earnings and allocated expenses but not revenue.
segmentrevenuechartq1fy18.jpg
segmentibitq1fy18.jpg

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could be significant. To the extent that market prices recover, we may be able to recover prior net realizable value adjustments. Refer to Item 1A of Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, for additional considerations of the risks that COVID-19 may continue to have on our business, liquidity, capital resources and financial results.

Our Energy and Ag segments operate in cyclical environments. Unforeseen market conditions can positively or negatively impact the energy industry, including the significant volume and price decreases that negatively impacted the energy industry during March and April 2020. We are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the severity of the financial and operational impacts; however, we expect the uncertain and volatile market conditions in the energy industry to remain through the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020.

Income (Loss) Before Income TaxesThe agricultural industry continues to operate in a challenging environment that has been characterized by Segmentgenerally lower margins, reduced liquidity and increased leverage that have resulted from a period of reduced commodity prices. More favorable weather conditions during the fiscal 2020 spring planting season compared to the prior year provided an opportunity for increased volumes and improved earnings across much of our Ag segment. However, trade relations between the United States and foreign trade partners, particularly those that purchase large quantities of agricultural commodities, while improving, are still not normalized as of the end of the third quarter ended May 31, 2020, resulting in unpredictable impacts to agricultural commodity prices and volumes sold. We are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or how severe the effects will ultimately be on our pricing and volumes. In addition to global supply and demand impacts, regional factors such as unpredictable weather conditions could continue to impact our operations. As a result, we expect revenues, margins and cash flows from core operations in our Ag segment to remain under pressure through the remainder of fiscal 2020, which will continue to put pressure on associated asset valuations.

Operating Metrics

Energy
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes$113,083
 $69,983
 $43,100
 61.6%

Our Energy segment operations primarily include our Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, refineries, which process crude oil to produce refined products, including gasolines, distillates and other products. The following table and commentary present the primary reasons for the changes in income (loss) before income taxes ("IBIT") for the Energy segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to the prior year:provides information about our consolidated refinery operations.
  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(1)
Price 37
Other* 2
Non-gross profit related activity+
 5
Total change in Energy IBIT $43
* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.
+ See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, (gain) loss on investments, interest expense, other income (loss) and equity (income) loss from investments sections of this Results of Operations.
 Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Refinery throughput volumes(Barrels per day)
Heavy, high-sulfur crude oil90,118
 73,344
 90,976
 90,261
All other crude oil61,328
 31,043
 71,730
 53,733
Other feedstocks and blendstocks6,657
 1,402
 12,184
 9,859
Total refinery throughput volumes158,103
 105,789
 174,890
 153,853
Refined fuel yields       
Gasolines73,196
 46,457
 84,837
 71,269
Distillates68,920
 45,508
 73,172
 64,930

Comparison of Energy segment IBIT for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The $43.1 million increase in the Energy segment IBIT reflects the following:
Primarily driven by improved margins within refined fuels, caused by lower market inventories in the energy industry due to an active hurricane season in the Gulf of Mexico which resulted in oil production and refining operations being temporarily suspended in major centers of production along a critical portion of the Gulf coast of the United States, driving prices higher.
This increase was partially offset by a 3% decrease in volumes in Refined Fuels.
We are subject to the Renewable Fuels Standard, program ("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 ("EPA") 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 and through our blending activities, at our terminals. However,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. On November 30, 2017, the EPA released the final mandate for year 2018.volatile and can impact profitability.

Ag

 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income (loss) before income taxes$74,519
 $109,213
 $(34,694) (31.8)%







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The following tableIn addition to our internal operational reliability, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (e.g., the price differential between refined products and commentary presentinputs such as crude oil) and WCS crude oil differentials (e.g., the primary reasons forprice differential between West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil and WCS crude oil), which are driven by the changessupply and demand of refined product markets. Crack spreads decreased during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same periods during the prior year, contributing to a significant decline in IBIT for the Energy segment. The WCS crude oil differential also declined during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, contributing to the decline in IBIT; however, the WCS crude oil differential increased during the three months ended May 31, 2020, partially offsetting the overall IBIT decrease. The table below provides information about average market reference prices and differentials that impact our Energy segment.    
 Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 2019 2020 2019
Market indicators       
WTI crude oil (dollars per barrel)$25.22
 $61.00
 $45.76
 $59.55
WTI - WCS crude oil differential (dollars per barrel)$15.89
 $9.67
 $16.81
 $22.80
Group 3 2:1:1 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$9.38
 $21.65
 $13.69
 $18.88
Group 3 5:3:2 crack spread (dollars per barrel)*$8.26
 $21.18
 $12.69
 $17.61
D6 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.3414
 $0.1586
 $0.2342
 $0.1653
D4 ethanol RIN (dollars per RIN)$0.5131
 $0.3748
 $0.5112
 $0.4237
*Group 3 refers to the oil refining and distribution system serving the Midwest markets from the Gulf Coast through the Plains States.

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 three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019.
   Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31,
 Market Source* 2020 2019 2020 2019
Commodity prices         
Corn (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade $3.26
 $3.79
 $3.63
 $3.71
Soybeans (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade $8.59
 $8.68
 $8.86
 $8.75
Wheat (dollars per bushel)Chicago Board of Trade $5.22
 $5.32
 $5.26
 $5.56
Urea (dollars per ton)Green Markets NOLA $239.00
 $254.00
 $228.00
 $268.00
UAN (dollars per ton)Green Markets NOLA $145.00
 $166.00
 $145.00
 $193.00
Ethanol (dollars per gallon)Chicago Platts $1.03
 $1.35
 $1.29
 $1.29
          
Volumes         
Grain and oilseed (thousands of bushels) 761,645
 562,314
 1,839,432
 1,780,330
North American grain and oilseed port throughput (thousands of bushels) 145,789
 149,036
 409,739
 463,440
Crop nutrients (thousands of tons) 2,319
 2,351
 5,645
 5,300
Ethanol (thousands of gallons) 171,034
 231,656
 618,834
 703,739
*Market source information represents the average month-end price during the period.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended May 31, 2020, and 2019
 Three Months Ended May 31,
 2020 % of Revenues 2019 % of Revenues
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$7,241,031
 100.0 % $8,497,941
 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold7,022,672
 97.0
 8,274,170
 97.4
Gross profit218,359
 3.0
 223,771
 2.6
Marketing, general and administrative expenses180,439
 2.5
 217,527
 2.6
Operating earnings37,920
 0.5
 6,244
 0.1
Interest expense26,661
 0.4
 42,773
 0.5
Other income(8,076) (0.1) (32,938) (0.4)
Equity income from investments(51,114) (0.7) (65,170) (0.8)
Income before income taxes70,449
 1.0
 61,579
 0.7
Income tax (benefit) expense(27,052) (0.4) 6,866
 0.1
Net income97,501
 1.3
 54,713
 0.6
Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interests(147) 
 93
 
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $97,648
 1.3 % $54,620
 0.6 %

The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by reportable segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020. Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.
chart-54833e44640b5850903.jpg
chart-64989c37389f5981846.jpg




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Income Before Income Taxes by Segment

Energy
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income (loss) before income taxes$(54,764) $1,259
 $(56,023) (4,449.8)%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Energy segment IBIT for the three months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year:year.
  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(7)
Price (41)
Other* (18)
Impairment+
 22
Non-gross profit related activity+
 9
Total change in Ag IBIT $(35)
* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.chart-a02ec34c6d825c25bc1.jpg
+See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net, (gain) loss on investments, interest expense, other income (loss) and equity (income) lossincome from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

ComparisonThe $56.0 million decrease in Energy segment IBIT reflects the following:
A $42.0 million noncash charge to reduce our refined fuels inventories to their market value at the end of the period.
Lower refined fuels margins due to less advantageous market conditions compared to the same period of the prior year as a result of decreased crack spreads, which were partially offset by improved WCS crude oil differentials experienced on heavy Canadian crude oil processed by our refineries.
Improved propane margins due to hedging gains.




















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Ag
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income before income taxes$95,360
 $21,112
 $74,248
 351.7%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Ag segment IBIT for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-80ed8eeeaff65d18a75.jpg
+See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and 2016administrative expenses, interest expense, other income and equity income from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

The $34.7$74.2 million decreaseincrease in Ag segment IBIT reflects the following:
Grain marketing IBIT decreased primarily due to lower grainImproved margins and volumes and associated margins.
Country operations IBIT increased due to improved margins along withacross much of the Ag segment as a gainresult of approximately $7.1 million duemore favorable weather conditions for spring planting compared to the sale of a non-strategic North American location, a gain onsame period during the sale of a domestic investment of $2.2 million,prior year as well as improved, but not normalized, trade relations between the United States and recognition of approximately $5.3 millionforeign trade partners.
The improved volume and margins associated with the recovery of a loan that was written offspring planting season were partially offset by decreased margins and volumes in the prior fiscal year.
Processingour renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients businesses attributable to COVID-19 related demand shocks in food service and transportation sectors.
A combination of lower nongross profit-related expenses contributed to a $29.9 million IBIT decreasedincrease, primarily caused by lower margins along with one-time severance charges and other costs associated with held for sale assets.
Crop nutrients IBIT increased, driven by higher associated margins.
Renewable fuels marketing and production operations IBIT decreased primarily resulting from lower margins.related to a $29.5 million loan loss reserve recorded during the three months ended May 31, 2019, that did not reoccur during the three months ended May 31, 2020.

All Other Segments
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Nitrogen Production IBIT$5,666
 $27,037
 $(21,371) (79.0)%
Foods IBIT$973
 $10,572
 $(9,599) (90.8)%
Corporate and Other IBIT$5,314
 $8,749
 $(3,435) (39.3)%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Nitrogen Production IBIT*$23,507
 $20,178
 $3,329
 16.5 %
Corporate and Other IBIT$6,346
 $19,030
 $(12,684) (66.7)%

Comparison of All Other Segments IBIT for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

Our Nitrogen Production segment IBIT decreased due to a gain in the prior year of $29.1 million 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 current fiscal year. This was partially offset by higher equity method income in the current year driven by improved prices on urea and urea ammonium nitrate, which are produced and sold by CF Nitrogen. *See Note 4, 5, Investments,, of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

Our FoodsNitrogen Production segment IBIT increased as a result of decreased ininterest expense associated with our CF Nitrogen investment during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 duethree months ended May 31, 2020, attributable to lower margins earned by Ventura Foods, as its customers put significant pressure on pricing and it experienced acquisition integration challenges.interest rates. Corporate and Other IBIT decreased due to lowerprimarily as a result of decreased earnings from our wheat milling joint venture and reduced interest revenue from our financing group resulting fromequity investment in Ventura Foods, which experienced a significant reduction in demand due to COVID-19 related demand shocks in the sale of loans receivable.

food service sector.

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Revenues by Segment

Energy
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenue$1,950,499
 $1,590,093
 $360,406
 22.7%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Revenues$890,919
 $1,738,045
 $(847,126) (48.7)%

The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons forpresents the changes in revenue for theour Energy segment revenues for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year:
year.
  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(36)
Price 377
Other* 19
Total change in Energy revenue $360
chart-2ed259bc099e55e498c.jpg
* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.

Comparison ofThe $847.1 million decrease in Energy segment revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The $360.4 million increase in Energy revenuerevenues reflects the following:
RefinedDecreased selling prices and volumes for refined fuels revenues rose $257.7 million (20%),driven by global market conditions, including the impact of which approximately $298.0 million related to an increaseCOVID-19 demand shock in the net averagetransportation sector and product mix, contributed to $713.4 million and $80.4 million decreases in revenues, respectively.
Decreased selling price, partially offsetprices for propane driven by $40.3 million related to lower sales volumes, compared to the prior year. The selling price of refined fuels products increased an average of $0.36 (24%) per gallon,global market and sales volumes decreased 3%, compared to the previous year.
Propane revenues increased $87.9 million (57%), of which $78.0 million was attributableweather conditions contributed to a rise$33.3 million decrease in the net average selling price and $9.9 million was attributable to higher volumes. Propane sales volume increased 6% and the average selling price of propane increased $0.31 (47%) per gallon, when compared to the previous year.revenues.

Ag
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenue$6,082,647
 $6,432,229
 $(349,582) (5.4)%


The following table and commentary present the primary reasons for the changes in revenue for the Ag segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to the prior year:

  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(360)
Price 4
Other* 6
Total change in Ag revenue $(350)

* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.














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Comparison ofAg
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Revenues$6,337,901
 $6,745,115
 $(407,214) (6.0)%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Ag segment revenuerevenues for the three months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.

chart-2ebd4cebbe2f5684a98.jpg
The $349.6$407.2 million decrease in Ag segment revenuerevenues reflects the following:
GrainDecreased prices across most of the Ag segment were driven by global market conditions and oilseed revenues attributable to country operations and grain marketing totaled $4.4 billion and $4.7 billionproduct mix. Lower pricing for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The grain and oilseed revenue decrease of $338.1 million (7%) was attributablecontributed to a decline in volumes of $368.6$484.6 million partially offset by $30.5 million in higher average grain selling prices. The average sales price of all grain and oilseed commodities sold increased $0.04 per bushel. Wheat, corn and soybean volumes decreased by approximately 8% compared to the prior year. The decrease in volumesrevenues and the remaining price decrease was dueattributed to lower export activityselling prices for agronomy products, feed and farm supplies and renewable fuels.
Volume increases across most of the Ag segment resulted from improved, but not normalized, trade relations between the United States and foreign trade partners and more favorable weather conditions for spring planting compared to the same period inof the prior year causedyear. Stronger grain and oilseed movement contributed to a $298.2 million increase in revenues with the remaining increase being composed primarily of improved sales volumes of agronomy products and feed and farm supplies used for spring planting. These increased volumes were partially offset by increased global competition.
Ourlower volumes of renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients, revenue decreased $26.8 million, primarily due towhich experienced lower demand as a $11.7 million decline resulting from the prior-year sale of an international location, along with a decline in volumes of $24.5 million (7%). These declines were partially offset by an average sales price increase of $0.39 (3%) per bushel or $9.4 million related to our oilseed commodities.
Wholesale crop nutrient revenues attributable to crop nutrients and grain marketing decreased $3.9 million due to lower average fertilizer selling prices of $21.2 million, partially offset by higher volumes of $17.3 million. Our wholesale crop nutrient volumes increased 4% and the average sales price of all fertilizers sold reflected a decrease of $12.72 (5%) per ton compared to the prior year. The increase in volumes was due to improved market conditions from the prior year as well as supply chain management improvements.
Our renewable fuels revenues from our marketing and production operations decreased $13.7 million primarily the result of a lower average sales price of $0.11 (7%) per gallon or $24.1 million, partially offset by 3% higher volumes or $10.3 million. Market supplydemand shock in the food service and demand forces decreased average sales prices.
The remaining Ag segment product revenues related primarily to feed and farm supplies increased $26.5 million mainly due to increases in diesel sold and a rise in propane sold for home heating due to colder temperatures.transportation sectors that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Other Segments
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Corporate and Other revenue$15,743
 $25,928
 $(10,185) (39.3)%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Corporate and Other revenues*$12,211
 $14,781
 $(2,570) (17.4)%

Comparison of All Other Segments revenue for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

Corporate and Other revenue decreased due to the sale of loans receivable upon which interest was previously being recognized. *Our Nitrogen Production and Foods reportable segments representsegment represents an equity method investments, and as such recordinvestment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenue.revenues.
Corporate and Other revenues decreased during the three months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year as a result of lower revenues in our financing business due to market-driven interest rate reductions.


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Cost of Goods Sold by Segment

Energy
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$1,800,404
 $1,478,610
 $321,794
 21.8%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Cost of goods sold$893,922
 $1,693,613
 $(799,691) (47.2)%
The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Energy segment COGS for the three months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-35314f03fb915f8b9a3.jpg
The $799.7 million decrease in Energy segment COGS reflects the following:
Decreased costs and volumes for refined fuels driven by global market conditions, including the demand shock in the transportation sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and product mix, contributed to $635.6 million and $78.5 million decreases in COGS, respectively.
Decreased costs for propane driven by global market conditions contributed to a $63.8 million decrease of COGS.
The decreases were partially offset by a $42.0 million noncash charge to reflect the lower market value of our refined fuels inventories at the end of the period.




















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Ag
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Cost of goods sold$6,129,293
 $6,580,901
 $(451,608) (6.9)%
The following tablewaterfall analysis and commentary present the primary reasons forpresents the changes in cost of goods sold ("COGS") for the Energy segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to the prior year:
  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(35)
Price 340
Other* 17
Total change in Energy cost of goods sold $322
* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.

Comparison of Energy segment COGS for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The $321.8 million increase in Energy segment COGS reflects the following:
Refined fuels cost of goods sold increased $196.1 million (16%), which reflects a $0.28 (19%) per gallon or $234.6 million rise in the average cost of refined fuels, partially offset by a decrease of 3% in volume or $38.5 million.
The increase in propane cost of goods sold of $112.1 million was attributable to a 6% rise in volumes or $7.8 million and an increase in average cost of $0.32 (62%) per gallon or $79.7 million. In addition, there were certain manufacturing changes that reduced cost of goods sold by $24.6 million in fiscal 2017 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.

Ag
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Cost of goods sold$5,936,062
 $6,220,190
 $(284,128) (4.6)%

The following table and commentary present the primary reasons for the changes in COGS for the Ag segment for the three months ended November 30, 2017, compared to the prior year:
  Change
  Three Months Ended November 30
  (Dollars in millions)
Volume $(353)
Price 45
Other* 24
Total change in Ag cost of goods sold $(284)
* Other includes retail and non-commodity type activities.

Comparison ofour Ag segment COGS for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.

chart-ec9aa3e96f4f5c07b83.jpg
The $284.1$451.6 million decrease in Ag segment COGS reflects the following:
GrainDecreased prices across most of the Ag segment were driven by global market conditions and product mix. Lower prices for grain and oilseed costcontributed to a $492.3 million decrease of goods sold attributableCOGS and the remaining price decrease was attributed to country operationslower prices for agronomy products, feed and grain marketing totaled $4.3 billionfarm supplies and $4.6 billion forrenewable fuels.
Volume increases across most of the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, respectively. The costs of grains and oilseed procured through our Ag segment decreased $299.2 million. The majority ofresulted from improved, but not normalized, trade relations between the decline was driven by an 8% decrease in volumes of $360.9 million, partially offset by a higher average cost per bushel of $0.08 (1%) or $61.7 million. The decrease in volumes was due to lower export activityUnited States and foreign trade partners and more favorable weather conditions for spring planting compared to the same period of the prior year. Stronger grain and oilseed movement contributed to a $298.9 million increase of COGS with the remaining increase being composed primarily of improved sales volumes of agronomy products and feed and farm supplies used for spring planting. These increased volumes were partially offset by lower volumes of renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients, which experienced lower demand as a result of demand shock in the food service and transportation sectors that followed the COVID-19 pandemic.

All Other Segments
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Nitrogen Production COGS$430
 $1,076
 $(646) NM*
Corporate and Other COGS$(973) $(1,420) $447
 NM*
*NM - not meaningful

There were no significant changes to COGS in our Nitrogen Production segment or Corporate and Other during the three months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
Processing and food ingredients cost of goods sold increased $5.5 million (2%) and is comprised of $47.4 million from a higher average cost of oilseeds purchased for further processing, partially offset by $22.2 million in lower volumes, plus a $19.7 million decline due to the sale of an international location in the prior year. Changes in cost are typically driven by the market price of soybeans purchased.






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Wholesale crop nutrients cost of goods sold attributable to crop nutrients and grain marketing increased by $1.2 million (less than 1%), caused primarily by an increase of 4%, or $16.5 million, in tons sold. The increase was partially offset by a decline of 4%, or $15.3 million, in average cost per ton of product. The increase in volumes and decrease in the prices paid for goods were due to better market conditions compared to the prior year, as well as beneficial changes in supply chain management.
Renewable fuels cost of goods sold decreased $3.6 million (1%) resulting from a decrease in the average cost per gallon of $0.06 (4%) or $13.2 million, which was mostly offset by an increase in volume of 3% or $9.7 million.
The remaining Ag segment product cost of goods sold, primarily feed and farm supplies, decreased $11.7 million due to lower costs incurred related to crop protection services and sunflower processing.
Total Ag cost of goods sold include "Other" cost of goods sold, which are generated from our country operations elevators and agri-service centers that incur costs from activities related to production agriculture. These cost of goods sold activities include grain storage, grain cleaning, fertilizer spreading, crop protection spraying and other associated services of this nature. In addition, our grain marketing operations incur "Other" costs at our export terminals from activities related to loading vessels.

All Other Segments
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Nitrogen Production COGS$219
 $(884) $1,103
 124.8%
Corporate and Other COGS$(1,058) $(2,363) $1,305
 55.2%

Comparison of All Other Segments COGS for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The increase in COGS for our Nitrogen Production segment for fiscal 2018 was due to an unfavorable variance on our natural gas hedges. The increase in COGS for Corporate and Other for fiscal 2018 was due to increased commission expense as a result of higher volumes of transactions in our financing, hedging and insurance operations. Our Foods reportable segment represents an equity method investment, and as such records earnings and allocated expenses but not COGS.

Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Marketing, general and administrative expenses$140,168
 $147,849
 $(7,681) (5.2)%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Marketing, general and administrative expenses$180,439
 $217,527
 $(37,088) (17.0)%

Comparison ofDecreased marketing, general and administrative expenses forwere primarily due to a $29.5 million loan loss reserve recorded during the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The $7.7 million decrease in marketing, general and administrative expenses is primarily due to lower compensation expenses and lower brokerage commissions.

Reserve and Impairment Charges (Recoveries), net
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net$(3,787) $18,357
 $(22,144) (120.6)%

Comparison of reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net forMay 31, 2019, that did not reoccur during the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020. The remaining decrease resulted primarily from decreased consulting expenses and 2016

The $22.1 million decrease in reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net reflectsincentive-based compensation compared to the following:
During fiscal 2017, an allowance for doubtful accountssame period of $18.4 million was recorded, including loan loss reserves related to a single producer borrower.

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In fiscal 2018, we recovered approximately $5.3 million associated with a loan that was previously written off in the prior fiscal year, partially offset by increases in bad debt expense of approximately $1.5 million. As a result, the current fiscal year to date reflects a net recovery.

Gain (Loss) on Investments
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Gain (loss) on investments$2,819
 $(7,401) $10,220
 138.1%

Comparison of gain (loss) on investments for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

The increase in gain (loss) on investments is mainly attributable to a gain on the sale of a domestic investment of $2.2 million in fiscal 2018, compared to a $7.4 million loss on the sale of an international investment during fiscal 2017 which did not reoccur in fiscal 2018.year.

Interest Expense
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Interest expense$40,702
 $38,265
 $2,437
 6.4%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Interest expense$26,661
 $42,773
 $(16,112) (37.7)%

Comparison of interestInterest expense fordecreased during the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, as a result of lower interest rates and 2016

The $2.4 million increase in interest expense for fiscal 2018 was primarily duedecreased average outstanding debt balances compared to higher interest expense associated with higher interest rates.the same period of the prior year.

Other Income (Loss)
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Other income (loss)$22,195
 $44,401
 $(22,206) (50.0)%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Other income$8,076
 $32,938
 $(24,862) (75.5)%

ComparisonOther income decreased primarily as a result of other income (loss) fornonoperating gains recognized during the prior year, which did not reoccur during the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016May 31, 2020, including a $19.1 million gain recognized in connection with the acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership in WCD during the three months ended May 31, 2019.

The $22.2 million decrease in other income (loss) reflects the following:Equity Income from Investments
During fiscal 2017, we recorded a gain of $29.1 million associated with an embedded derivative within the contract relating to our strategic investment in CF Nitrogen that did not reoccur during fiscal 2018.
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Equity income from investments*$51,114
 $65,170
 $(14,056) (21.6)%
*See Note 10, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities,5, Investments, of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.
In fiscal year 2018, we sold a non-strategic North American location in our Ag segment that resulted in a gain of approximately $7.1 million.


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Equity Income (Loss) from Investments
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Equity income (loss) from investments$38,362
 $40,328
 $(1,966) (4.9)%

Comparison of equity income (loss) from investments for the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016

Equity income (loss) from investments primarily decreased due to lower equity income recognized from our equity method investments in Ventura Foods, TEMCO, LLC, and Ardent Mills, LLC caused by lower margins, which was partially offset by higher equity income recognized from our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen. See Note 4, Investments, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information. We record equity income or loss from thefor investments in which we have an ownership interest of 50% or less and have significant influence, but not control, for our proportionate share of income or loss reported by the entity, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of the entity in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Equity income from investments decreased during the three months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year, primarily due to $17.4 million of lower equity income associated with our equity method investment in Ventura Foods, which experienced a significant reduction in demand due to COVID-19.











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Income TaxesTax Expense
 For the Three Months Ended November 30
 Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Income taxes$(19,936) $(16,612) $(3,324) (20.0)%
 Three Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income tax (benefit) expense$(27,052) $6,866
 $(33,918) (494.0)%

ComparisonDecreased income tax expense during the three months ended May 31, 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. Effective tax rates for the three months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016

During the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we had an increase in income tax expense when compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2017, resulting in effective tax rates of 10.0%2019, were (38.4)% and 7.4%11.1%, respectively. The federalFederal and state statutory raterates applied to nonpatronage business activity was 38.4%were 24.7% and 38.3%24.6% for the periodsthree months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019, respectively. The incomeIncome taxes and effective tax rate vary each year based uponon profitability and nonpatronage business activity during each of the comparable years.














































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Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020, and 2019
 Nine Months Ended May 31,
 2020 % of Revenues 2019 % of Revenues
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenues$21,460,742
 100.0 % $23,465,769
 100.0 %
Cost of goods sold20,601,785
 96.0
 22,343,944
 95.2
Gross profit858,957
 4.0
 1,121,825
 4.8
Marketing, general and administrative expenses548,340
 2.6
 551,438
 2.3
Operating earnings310,617
 1.4
 570,387
 2.4
Interest expense95,043
 0.4
 122,950
 0.5
Other income(32,926) (0.2) (69,835) (0.3)
Equity income from investments(135,174) (0.6) (173,394) (0.7)
Income before income taxes383,674
 1.8
 690,666
 2.9
Income tax (benefit) expense(18,258) (0.1) 40,534
 0.2
Net income401,932
 1.9
 650,132
 2.8
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests955
 
 (758) 
Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $400,977
 1.9 % $650,890
 2.8 %

The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by reportable segment for the nine months ended May 31, 2020. Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.
chart-1116b9fde8445ed580c.jpg
chart-b5ec3833e92f5eb1b45.jpg






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Income Before Income Taxes by Segment

Energy
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income before income taxes$246,309
 $540,305
 $(293,996) (54.4)%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Energy segment IBIT for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-fec77b9439175450a2c.jpg
+See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, other income and equity income from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

The $294.0 million decrease in Energy segment IBIT reflects the following:
Recognition of an $80.8 million gain associated with certain federal excise tax credits as a reduction of COGS during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur during the current year.
A $42.0 million noncash charge during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 to reduce our refined fuels inventories to their market value at the end of the period.
Significantly less advantageous market conditions in our refined fuels business compared to the same period of the prior year drove lower margins. These market conditions were driven by a combination of decreased WCS crude oil differentials experienced on heavy Canadian crude oil, which is processed by our refineries, and decreased crack spreads.
The decreased IBIT was partially offset by increased volumes and improved propane margins due to hedging gains and significant propane demand for crop drying and home heating, particularly during the first quarter of fiscal 2020.















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Ag
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income (loss) before income taxes$60,653
 $39,031
 $21,622
 55.4%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Ag segment IBIT for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-91d73be8a88654188b4.jpg
+See commentary related to these changes in the marketing, general and administrative expenses, interest expense, other income and equity income from investments sections of this Results of Operations.

The $21.6 million increase in Ag segment IBIT reflects the following:
Improved margins across much of the Ag segment as a result of more favorable weather conditions for spring planting compared to the same period during the prior year.
Decreased volumes across much of the Ag segment due to poor weather conditions and a smaller crop to harvest in the fall of 2019 across much of the agricultural region of the United States in which we operate and global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly during the first half of fiscal 2020. These volume decreases were partially offset by increased volumes associated with agronomy products that were primarily attributable to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD on March 1, 2019, the results of which were not included in the entire comparable period of the prior year.

All Other Segments
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Nitrogen Production IBIT*$45,698
 $54,569
 $(8,871) (16.3)%
Corporate and Other IBIT$31,014
 $56,761
 $(25,747) (45.4)%
*See Note 5, Investments, of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

Our Nitrogen Production segment IBIT decreased as a result of lower equity method income from our investment in CF Nitrogen during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, attributable to decreased market pricing of urea and UAN, which are produced and sold by CF Nitrogen. Corporate and Other IBIT decreased primarily as a result of lower earnings from our investment in Ventura Foods, which experienced a significant reduction in demand due to COVID-19, and decreased interest income from our financing businesses due to lower interest rates during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.


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Revenues by Segment

Energy
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Revenues$4,247,392
 $5,374,110
 $(1,126,718) (21.0)%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Energy segment revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-57a31de0a7c95ef2879.jpg
The $1.1 billion decrease in Energy segment revenues reflects the following:
Decreased selling prices for refined fuels and propane were driven by global market conditions, including the impact of COVID-19 and product mix, which contributed to $873.6 million and $162.5 million decreases in revenues, respectively.
A 3% decrease of refined fuels volumes contributed to a $126.3 million decrease in revenues, which was partially offset by a 9% increase of propane volumes that contributed to a $52.5 million increase in revenues. Decreased volumes of refined fuels were attributable primarily to lower demand resulting from demand shock in the transportation sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and during the fall harvest as a result of poor weather conditions and a smaller crop to harvest in the fall of 2019 across much of the agricultural region of the United States in which we operate. Increased volumes of propane resulted from significant propane demand for crop drying and home heating, particularly during the first half of fiscal 2020.














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Ag
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Revenues$17,173,958
 $18,045,057
 $(871,099) (4.8)%

The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Ag segment revenues for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-f268b09f97f350799f1.jpg
The $871.1 million decrease in Ag segment revenues reflects the following:
Volume decreases were primarily driven by lower feed and farm supply and grain and oilseed volumes that contributed to $456.4 million and $366.3 million decreases in revenues, respectively. The decreased volumes resulted from a combination of challenges experienced recently in the agricultural commodity market, including poor weather conditions during fiscal 2019 in the agricultural region of the United States that contributed to lower crop yields and fewer acres planted/harvested, and the impact of global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly during the first half of fiscal 2020. These volume decreases were partially offset by increased volumes associated with agronomy products due to heightened spring 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 $345.8 million and $327.5 million decreases in revenues for grain and oilseed and agronomy, respectively. However, these price decreases were partially offset by market-driven price increases for other products, including feed and farm supplies that increased revenues by $413.5 million.

All Other Segments
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Corporate and Other revenues*$39,392
 $46,602
 $(7,210) (15.5)%
*Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.
Corporate and Other revenues decreased during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year, primarily due to lower revenues in our financing business due to market-driven interest rate reductions.


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Cost of Goods Sold by Segment

Energy
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Cost of goods sold$3,850,176
 $4,692,910
 $(842,734) (18.0)%
The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Energy segment COGS for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-6824ffdd67ec57cc9a4.jpg
The $842.7 million decrease in Energy segment COGS reflects the following:
Decreased costs and a 3% volume decrease for refined fuels driven by global market conditions, including the demand shock in the transportation sector that followed the COVID-19 pandemic and product mix, contributed to $527.8 million and $109.8 million decreases in COGS, respectively.
Decreased costs for propane driven by global market and weather conditions and hedging gains contributed to a $153.5 million decrease of COGS, which was partially offset by a $48.0 million increase driven by a 9% volume increase that resulted from significant propane demand for crop drying and home heating during the first half of fiscal 2020.
The decrease was partially offset by a $42.0 million noncash charge to reduce our refined fuels inventories to their market value at the end of the period and recognition of an $80.8 million gain associated with certain federal excise tax credits as a reduction of COGS during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 that did not reoccur during the current year.














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Ag
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Cost of goods sold$16,752,073
 $17,653,970
 $(901,897) (5.1)%
The following waterfall analysis and commentary presents the changes in our Ag segment COGS for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.
chart-447292ea4a3b5a28837.jpg
The $901.9 million decrease in Ag segment COGS reflects the following:
Volume decreases were primarily driven by lower feed and farm supply and grain and oilseed volumes that contributed to $413.5 million and $364.2 million decreases of COGS, respectively. The decreased volumes resulted from a combination of challenges experienced recently in the agricultural commodity market, including poor weather conditions during fiscal 2019 in the agricultural region of the United States that contributed to lower crop yields and fewer acres planted/harvested, and the impact of global trade tensions between the United States and foreign trading partners, particularly the first half of fiscal 2020. These volume decreases were partially offset by increased volumes associated with agronomy products due to heightened spring demand and the increase of COGS 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 $401.3 million and $301.8 million decreases of COGS for grain and oilseed and agronomy, respectively. However, these price decreases were partially offset by market-driven price increases for other products, including feed and farm supplies that increased COGS by $360.8 million.

All Other Segments
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Nitrogen Production COGS$1,964
 $1,537
 $427
 NM*
Corporate and Other COGS$(2,428) $(4,473) $2,045
 NM*
*NM - not meaningful

There were no significant changes to COGS in our Nitrogen Production segment or Corporate and Other during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year.




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Marketing, General and Administrative Expenses
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Marketing, general and administrative expenses$548,340
 $551,438
 $(3,098) (0.6)%
Decreased marketing, general and administrative expenses were primarily due to the impact of a $25.5 million loan loss reserve recorded during the nine months ended May 31, 2019, that did not reoccur during the nine months ended May 31, 2020. The decrease was mostly offset by increased maintenance expenses associated with our information technology platforms and increased expenses related to the implementation of our new enterprise resource planning software. In addition, we had decreased compensation expenses associated with a reduced accrual for potential incentive-based compensation during the current year which was mostly offset by increased payroll expenses due to the employees who joined CHS following our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD, which were not included in the entire comparable period of the prior year.

Interest Expense
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Interest expense$95,043
 $122,950
 $(27,907) (22.7)%

Interest expense decreased during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, as a result of lower interest rates during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and decreased average outstanding debt balances compared to the same period of the prior year.

Other Income
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Other income$32,926
 $69,835
 $(36,909) (52.9)%

Other income decreased primarily as a result of nonoperating gains recognized during the nine months ended May 31, 2019, that did not reoccur during the current year, including a $19.1 million gain recognized in connection with the acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership in WCD during the nine months ended May 31, 2019.

Equity Income from Investments
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Equity income from investments*$135,174
 $173,394
 $(38,220) (22.0)%
*See Note 5, Investments, of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements that are included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

Equity income from investments decreased during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, compared to the same period during the prior year, primarily due to lower equity income associated with our equity method investments in CF Nitrogen, Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills, which together decreased by a total of $35.0 million. The decreased equity method income for these investments was driven by reduced urea and UAN pricing for CF Nitrogen, negative impacts of COVID-19 for Ventura Foods and lower product margins and volumes as a result of customer consolidation for Ardent Mills.



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Income Tax Expense
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Income tax (benefit) expense$(18,258) $40,534
 $(58,792) (145.0)%

Decreased income tax expense during the nine months ended May 31, 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 taxes. Effective tax rates for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, were (4.8)% and 5.9%, respectively. Federal and state statutory rates applied to nonpatronage business activity were 24.7% and 24.6% for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, respectively. Income taxes and effective tax rate vary each year based on profitability and nonpatronage business activity during each of the comparable years.

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 andsupplemented with borrowings under our revolving credit facilities.facility. We fund our capital expenditures and growth primarily through cash, operating cash flow and long-term debt financing.

On November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, we had working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $435.9 million$1.4 billion, and a current ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, of 1.3 compared to working capital of $1.1 billion and a current ratio of 1.2 on August 31, 2019. On May 31, 2019, we had working capital of $828.4 million and a current ratio of 1.1 compared to working capital of $181.9 million and a current ratio of 1.0 on August 31, 2017. On November 30, 2016, we had working capital of $378.6 million and a current ratio of 1.0 compared to working capital of $414.4$759.0 million and a current ratio of 1.1 on August 31, 2016.2018.

As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, we had cash and cash equivalents of $252.1$408.1 million, total equities of $7.9$8.8 billion, long-term debt (including current maturities) of $2.0$1.8 billion and notes payable of $2.5$2.2 billion. Our capital allocation priorities include maintaining the safety and compliance of our operations, paying interest on debt and preferred stock dividends, returning cash to our dividends, reducing funded debtmember-owners in the form of cash patronage and equity redemptions and taking advantage of strategic opportunities that benefit our owners. We expect the down cycle in the Ag industry to continue and while we maintain appropriate levels of liquidity, 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,facility, 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, reprioritizing capital expenditures and increasing cash on the balance sheet by drawing on our revolving lines of credit. We are actively managing our short-term and long-term liquidity needs, which we expect will include entering into an agreement to raise up to $300 million of debt in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. The funding of these notes is anticipated to take place during the first half of fiscal 2021 and will be used to refinance upcoming debt maturities in fiscal 2021 and add liquidity. We also continue to actively monitor counterparty risk.
34
Fiscal 2020 and 2019 Activity

During fiscal 2019, we completed our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own by paying $106.7 million, of which net cash flows were reduced by $8.0 million of cash acquired. WCD is now included in our Ag segment and deepens our presence in the agronomy products market. See Note 15, Acquisitions, of the notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

We also completed planned major maintenance activities during fiscal 2019, which contributed to cash outflows of $232.1 million for the year ended August 31, 2019.

We have a receivables and loans securitization facility ("Securitization Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Purchasers"), which is accounted for as a secured borrowing. Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell trade accounts and notes receivable ("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC ("Cofina"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the Receivables to the Purchasers. The

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Fiscal 2018 and 2017 Activity
On July 18, 2017, we amended an existing receivables and loans securitization facility (“Securitization Facility” or the "Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions (the "Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, CHS Capital and CHS both sell eligible trade accounts and notes receivable (“Receivables”) they have originated to Cofina Funding, LLC (“Cofina Funding”), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina Funding in turn sells the purchased Receivables in their entirety to the Purchasers. Prior to amending the Securitization Facility in July 2017, the transfer of Receivables was accounted for as a secured borrowing. Under the terms of the amended Securitization Facility, CHS accounts for Receivables sold under the facility as a sale of financial assets and derecognizes the sold Receivables from its Consolidated Balance Sheets. 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 November 30, 2017, theMay 31, 2020, total availability under the Securitization Facility was $700.0$383.0 million, all of which had been utilized.
The Facility agreement contains certain customary representations and warranties and affirmative covenants, including as
We also have a repurchase facility ("Repurchase Facility") related to the eligibilitySecuritization 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 being sold by the Originators to Cofina under the Securitization Facility. As of May 31, 2020, and contains customary program termination events and non-reinvestment events. We were in compliance with all covenants associated withAugust 31, 2019, the outstanding balance under the Repurchase Facility was $150.0 million.

On June 26, 2020, we amended our existing Securitization Facility asand Repurchase Facility. As a result of November 30, 2017.the amendment, the maximum availability of the Securitization Facility was decreased from $700.0 million to $500.0 million and the termination date of the Securitization Facility was extended to September 24, 2020, which may be further extended.

Cash Flows

The following table presents summarized cash flow data for the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016:2019:
   Change
 2017 2016 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities$(140,454) $238,417
 $(378,871) (158.9)%
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities(62,770) (327,022) 264,252
 80.8 %
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities271,738
 327,472
 (55,734) (17.0)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents2,236
 (2,696) 4,932
 182.9 %
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$70,750
 $236,171
 $(165,421) (70.0)%
 Nine Months Ended May 31, Change
 2020 2019 Dollars Percent
 (Dollars in thousands)    
Net cash provided by operating activities$525,843
 $129,911
 $395,932
 304.8 %
Net cash used in investing activities(48,533) (592,490) 543,957
 91.8 %
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(292,207) 174,343
 (466,550) (267.6)%
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(786) (382) (404) (105.8)%
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash$184,317
 $(288,618) $472,935
 163.9 %

ComparisonCash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $395.9 million increase in cash flow for the three months ended November 30, 2017,provided by operating activities reflects a combination of working capital decreases, primarily associated with decreased receivables and 2016inventories, which were partially offset by other changes, including decreased net income.

The $378.9$544.0 million decrease in cash from operatingused in investing activities primarily reflects increased collections of $331.8 million associated with CHS Capital notes receivable, decreased expenditures for major repairs and the following:
Reduced seasonal purchasesacquisition of inventory offset by decreased accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Increased supplier advances due to timing of payments madethe remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD during the firstthird quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to payments made in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.
Decreased customer advance payments in the Ag segment due to lower sales volumes and drought conditions in the upper midwest.2019.

The $264.3$466.6 million decrease in cash provided by financing activities primarily reflects increased net cash outflows associated with our notes payable and long-term debt facilities, a $14.4 million increase in cash from investing activities reflects the following:
Decreased CHS Capital notes receivable activitypatronage paid and an increase in equity redemption payments of $149.1$9.9 million.
Proceeds of $54.7 million due to sale of our primary corporate office building in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota which was subsequently leased back to us. The proceeds received were used to pay down long-term debt.
Reduced acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and other business acquisitions primarily related to our plan to reduce our capital investments to allow us to actively reduce our funded debt obligations.

Cash from financing activities decreased $55.7 million, primarily due to changes in checks and drafts outstanding compared to the three months ended November 30, 2016.

Future Uses of Cash

We expect to utilize cash and cash equivalents, along with cash generated by operating activities to fund capital expenditures, major repairs, debt and interest payments, for debt, interest,preferred stock dividends, patronage, equity redemptions and guarantees.business continuity efforts amid the COVID-19 outbreak and pandemic. The following is a summary of our primary cash requirements for fiscal 2018:2020:

Capital expenditures.We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 20182020 to be approximately $602.0$457.0 million, compared to capital expenditures of $446.7$443.2 million in fiscal 2017. Included in that amount for fiscal 2018 is

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approximately $221.0 million for2019. During the acquisition ofnine months ended May 31, 2020, we acquired property, plant and equipment at our Laurel, Montana and McPherson, Kansas refineries. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, we acquired plant, property and equipment of $85.8 million.
Major repairs. Refineries have planned major maintenance to overhaul, repair, inspect and replace process materials and equipment (referred to as a "turnaround") which typically occur for a five- to six-week period every 2-5 years. Our Laurel, Montana refinery has planned maintenance scheduled for fiscal 2018 for approximately $92.0$316.5 million.
Debt and interest. We expect to repay the remaining $25.0approximately $39.2 million of current maturitieslong-term debt and finance lease obligations and incur interest payments related to long-term debt of long term debtapproximately $76.2 million during fiscal 2018.2020. During the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, we repaid $160.0$20.0 million of long termscheduled long-term debt consisting of scheduled debt maturities and optional prepayments.maturities.
Preferred stock dividends. We had approximately $2.3 billion of preferred stock outstanding at November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020. We expect to pay dividends on our preferred stock of approximately $168.7 million during fiscal 2018.2020.

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Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $90.0 million of our fiscal 2019 patronage sourced earnings to be paid to our member owners during fiscal 2020.
GuaranteesEquity redemptions. We intend to fund aOur Board of Directors authorized and we expect total redemptions of approximately $170.0$100.0 million to be distributed in loan guarantees to our Brazilian operationsfiscal 2020 in the firstform of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer members and association members. During the nine months ended May 31, 2020, we redeemed $86.3 million of fiscal 2018 as a result of losses in the prior fiscal year caused by a trading partner of ours in Brazil entering into bankruptcy-like proceedings under Brazilian law. During the three months ended November 30, 2017, we funded $25.0 million in guarantees.member equity.

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, with cash flows from operations and by issuing privately placed long-term debt and term loans. We intend to enter into an agreement to raise up to $300.0 million of debt in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, the funding of which is anticipated to take place during the first half of fiscal 2021. 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 Capital 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 November 30, 2017:May 31, 2020:
Revolving Credit Facilities Maturities Total Capacity Borrowings Outstanding Interest Rates
    November 30, 2017  
    (Dollars in thousands) 
Committed Five-Year Unsecured Facility 2020 $3,000,000
 $1,080,000
 LIBOR+0.00% to 1.45%
Uncommitted Bilateral Facilities 2018 250,000
 250,000
 LIBOR+0.00% to 1.05%
Primary Revolving
Credit Facilities
 Maturities Total Capacity Borrowings Outstanding Interest Rates: Based on All Tier Levels for Revolver and Capacity of Uncommitted
  (Fiscal Year) (Dollars in thousands) 
Committed five-year unsecured facility 2024 $2,750,000
 $800,000
 LIBOR or Base Rate + 0.00% to 1.55%
Uncommitted bilateral facilities 2020 330,000
 200,000
 LIBOR or Base Rate + 0.00% to 1.375%
In addition
Subsequent to ourMay 31, 2020, an additional $250.0 million of capacity became available through the uncommitted bilateral facilities. We also intend to renew $80.0 million of existing capacity on the uncommitted bilateral facilities during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 that expired subsequent to May 31, 2020.

Our primary revolving linesline of credit we haveis a three-year $325.0 million committedfive-year unsecured revolving pre-export credit facility for CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda ("CHS Agronegocio"), our wholly-owned subsidiary in Brazil. CHS Agronegocio uses thewith a syndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility whichprovides a committed amount of $2.75 billion that expires in April 2019, to finance its working capital needs related to its purchases and sales of grains, fertilizers and other agricultural products. As of November 30, 2017, the outstanding balance under the facility was $260.0 million.on July 16, 2024.

In addition to our uncommitted bilateral facilityfacilities above, as of November 30, 2017, 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 $420.0$380.8 million outstanding.outstanding as of May 31, 2020. In addition, our other international subsidiaries had lines of credit with a totaloutstanding of $167.3$141.7 million outstanding as of November 30, 2017, of which $38.7 million was collateralized.May 31, 2020.
Long-term Debt Financing

On November 30, 2017,The following table presents summarized long-term debt data (including current maturities) as of May 31, 2020, and August 31, 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 $2.2 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.2019:
 May 31,
2020
 August 31,
2019
 (Dollars in thousands)
Private placement debt$1,365,316
 $1,379,840
Bank financing366,000
 366,000
Finance lease obligations29,153
 28,239
Other notes and contract payable35,241
 18,601
Deferred financing costs(3,143) (3,569)
 $1,792,567
 $1,789,111


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Long-term Debt Financing
The following table presents summarized long-term debt data as of November 30, 2017, and August 31, 2017:
 November 30,
2017
 August 31,
2017
 (Dollars in thousands)
Private placement debt$1,530,955
 $1,643,886
Bank financing391,000
 445,000
Capital lease obligations28,917
 33,075
Other notes and contract payable61,542
 62,652
Deferred financing costs(4,648) (4,820)
 $2,007,766
 $2,179,793
CHS Capital Financing
For a description of the Securitization Facility, see above in Fiscal 20182020 and 20172019 Activity activity.
CHS Capital has available credit under master participation agreements with numerous counterparties. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, all borrowings under these agreements were accounted for as secured borrowings. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017, certain of these agreements were amended resulting in the Company accounting for the participations as the sale of financial assets. As of November 30, 2017, the remaining participations accounted for as secured borrowings bear interest at variable rates ranging from 2.94% to 4.45%.    As of November 30, 2017, the total funding commitment under these agreements was $93.6 million, of which $58.5 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 total capacity for commitments under the ProPartners program is $265.0 million. The totalTotal outstanding commitments under the program totaled $192.1were $150.0 million as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, of which $135.2$80.2 million was borrowed under these commitments with an interest rate of 2.42%1.49%.

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 0.90%1.4% as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and are due upon demand. Borrowings under these notes totaled $104.2$78.6 million as of NovemberMay 31, 2020.

On September 30, 2017.2019, CHS Capital entered into a credit agreement with a revolving note. Under this agreement, CHS Capital has available capacity of $100.0 million of which no amount was outstanding as of May 31, 2020.

Covenants    

Our long-term debt is mostly unsecured; however, restrictive covenants under various debt agreements have requirements forrequire maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all debt covenants and restrictions as of November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020. Based on our current 20182020 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance in the near term.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 flowflows is greater than a ratio of 3.0 to 1.0, the interest rate on all outstanding notes will be increased by 0.25% until the ratio becomes 3.0 or less. During the threenine months ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, and 2016,2019, our ratio of funded debt to consolidated cash flowflows remained below 3.0 to 1.0.

Patronage and Equity Redemptions

In accordance with our bylaws and upon approval ofby our Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources are distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each fiscal year. Foryear and are based on amounts using financial statement earnings. Patronage earnings for the year ended August 31, 2017,2019, were distributed during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, including the $90.1 million cash portion of this distribution. During the nine months ended May 31, 2019, we distributed cash patronage of $75.7 million.

In accordance with authorization from our Board of Directors, authorized only non-qualified distributions, with nowe expect total cash patronage.
As authorized by our Board of Directors in September 2017, we intendredemptions related to redeem individual member owned equitythe year ended August 31, 2019, that will be distributed in fiscal 2018, in an amount not2020, to exceed $10 million.be approximately $100.0 million and to include redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer members and associations. During the threenine months ended November 30, 2017, $1.6May 31, 2020, $86.3 million of that amount was redeemed in cash, compared to $9.5$76.4 million redeemed in cash during the threenine months ended NovemberMay 31, 2016. In addition, $2.1 million of equities related to the Board of Director authorized fiscal 2017 redemption were redeemed during the three months ended November 30, 2017, due to the administrative timing of the payments.2019.


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Preferred Stock    
    
Dividends paid on our preferred stock during the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019, were $126.5 million. The following is a summary of our outstanding preferred stock as of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, all shares of which are listed on the Global Select Market of Nasdaq:
 Nasdaq symbol Issuance date Shares outstanding Redemption value Net proceeds (a) 
Dividend rate
 (b) (c)
 Dividend payment frequency Redeemable beginning (d) Nasdaq Symbol Issuance Date Shares Outstanding Redemption Value Net Proceeds (a) 
Dividend Rate
 (b) (c)
 Dividend Payment Frequency Redeemable Beginning (d)
   (Dollars in millions)      (Dollars in millions)   
8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP (e) 12,272,003
 $306.8
 $311.2
 8.00% Quarterly 7/18/2023 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 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 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 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 CHSCL 1/21/2015 20,700,000
 $517.5
 $501.0
 7.50% Quarterly 1/21/2025
(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 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,
(a) Includes patron equities redeemed with preferred stock.
(b) 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) 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.
Dividends paid on our preferred stock during the three months ended November 30, 2017, and 2016, were $42.2 million and $41.8 million, respectively.

Off BalanceOff-Balance Sheet Financing Arrangements

Operating Leases

Minimum future lease payments required under noncancelable operating leases as of November 30, 2017, were $317.1 million.

Guarantees

We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related companies. As of November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, our bank covenants allowed maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $101.4$163.8 million were outstanding. 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 November 30, 2017.


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May 31, 2020.

Debt

We have no material off balanceoff-balance sheet debt.

Receivables Securitization Facility and Loan Participations

In fiscal 2017, weWe engaged in off-balance sheet arrangements through our Securitization Facility and certain loan participation agreements. 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 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017, for additional information.2019.


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Contractual Obligations

Our contractual obligations presented in Management’sManagement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017,2019, have not materially changed during the threenine months ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.

Critical Accounting Policies

OurOther than as described within the Significant Accounting Policies section of Note 1, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, our critical accounting policies as presented in Management’sManagement's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017,2019, have not materially changed during the threenine months ended November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020.

Effect of Inflation and Foreign Currency Transactions

We believe that inflation and foreign currency fluctuations have not had a material effect on our operations, since we conduct an insignificant portion of our business in foreign currencies.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
    
See Note 1, Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description of the recent accounting pronouncements that are applicableapply to us.

ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We did not experience any material changes in market risk exposures for the period ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, that would affect the quantitative and qualitative disclosures presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.2019.

ITEM 4.    CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
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 (the "Exchange Act")), as of November 30, 2017.May 31, 2020. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

On December 1, 2015, we began implementation of a new enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) system. The new 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 implementationnot effective because of the new ERP system will affect the processes that constitutematerial weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting (as defineddisclosed within Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting in Rule 13a-15(f) underItem 9A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Exchange Act)year ended August 31, 2019.

Status of Remediation of Material Weaknesses in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Remediation Actions Taken During the Quarter Ended May 31, 2020

The following remediation efforts were taken during the quarter ended May 31, 2020:

Held bi-weekly steering committee meetings consisting of senior finance, legal, information technology ("IT"), operational and human resources leaders to oversee the design and implementation of remediation plans.

Continued developing, executing and monitoring detailed remediation plans in response to each of the remaining previously identified material weaknesses.







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Ongoing Remediation Efforts

We continue to enhance our management has taken stepsoverall financial control environment through the following:

Continued execution of our plans designed to remediate the two remaining previously identified material weaknesses, including (1) implementing and reinforcing an adequate process for monitoring proper functioning of internal controls to verify that our accounting policies and procedures are consistently and adequately being performed as relevant by a sufficient number of resources with appropriate knowledge and training and (2) designing and maintaining effective controls over certain IT general controls for information systems that are relevant to the preparation of our financial statements and testing the effectiveness of remediated controls.

Continued hiring for our teams in functional areas as necessary to ensure that appropriatethe size and skill set of those teams is adequate given the size, scale and complexity of our organization, industry and required internal controls are designed and implemented as each functional area of the new ERP system is enacted.over financial reporting.

Other than as described above, there wereChanges in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.    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 condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flowsstatements during any fiscal year.

Laurel

On May 17, 2016, and October 12, 2016, the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”) issued violation letters to us, alleging that certain specified air emissions at our Laurel, Montana refinery exceeded amounts allowable under the refinery’s permits and applicable law. On June 1, 2016, and November 3, 2016, we responded to MDEQ and described the actions that we had taken in connection with those allegations. On August 30, 2017, MDEQ sent us a letter requesting that we execute an administrative order on consent, and pay an administrative penalty of $184,550. On September 27, 2017, we sent MDEQ a letter providing additional information and requesting that MDEQ reconsider the alleged violations and reduce the proposed penalty with respect to four of the alleged violations described in the violation letters. We also requested changes to the administrative order on consent to remove references to the Administrative Rules of the State of Montana. We are currently awaiting MDEQ’s response to the September 2017 letter.

For information regarding our other reportable legal proceedings, see Item 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.
    
ITEM 1A.     RISK FACTORS

There werehave been no material changes to ourfrom the risk factors during the period covered by this report. See the discussion of risk factorsdisclosed in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017.2019, except as set forth below. The risk factor below updates the risk factor first included in Part II, Item 1A of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 29, 2020.

Our business and operations have been and may continue to be adversely affected by the recent COVID-19 outbreak or other similar outbreaks.
Outbreaks of contagious diseases, including the recent outbreak and pandemic of the novel coronavirus that was first detected in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, known as COVID-19, 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 the facilities of our members, business partners, customers, suppliers, third-party service providers or other vendors; and the interruption of domestic and global supply chains, distribution channels, liquidity and capital or financial markets. 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. 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 demand for our products and services, such as the declines in demand in our refined fuels, renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients businesses and Ventura Foods experienced during the three months ended May 31, 2020, and our ability to obtain financing for our business. The declines in demand experienced by our refined fuels, renewable fuels and processing and food ingredients businesses and Ventura Foods have adversely affected, and may continue to, and any of these other events could, adversely affect, our business and our financial results. 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 geographic spread of the virus, the severity of the disease, the duration of the outbreak, the extent of any reoccurrence of the coronavirus, 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.


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ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS
ExhibitDescription
Omnibus Amendment No. 6, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 20022002.
The following financial information from the CHS Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2017,May 31, 2020, formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii)(iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii)(iv) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) theCondensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.




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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

CHS Inc.
(Registrant)

Date:January 10, 2018July 7, 2020 By: /s/ Timothy SkidmoreOlivia Nelligan
     Timothy SkidmoreOlivia Nelligan
     Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer





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