Lake Area Corn Processors (LKCRU) 10-Q 14 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	14-May-15
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS LLC
Entity Central Index Key	1156174
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,620,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,978,731	$6,104,383
Accounts receivable	3,073,411	1,025,685
Other receivables	11,353	1,381,468
Inventory	5,334,582	6,106,646
Derivative financial instruments	1,055,180	1,457,459
Prepaid expenses	261,441	306,351
Total current assets	14,714,698	16,381,992
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	676,097	676,097
Land improvements	2,739,818	2,739,818
Buildings	9,655,192	9,655,192
Equipment	46,156,560	46,138,840
Construction in progress	1,507,205	626,085
Gross Property and Equipment	60,734,872	59,836,032
Less accumulated depreciation	-32,261,545	-31,486,760
Net property and equipment	28,473,327	28,349,272
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766	10,395,766
Investments	16,758,164	23,214,456
Other	202,639	233,489
Total other assets	27,356,569	33,843,711
TOTAL ASSETS	70,544,594	78,574,975
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	382,013	246,847
Accounts payable	3,102,705	7,407,491
Accrued liabilities	420,390	511,613
Derivative financial instruments	514,729	1,447,513
Current maturities of notes payable	5,517	13,708
Other	120,635	120,635
Total current liabilities	4,545,989	9,747,807
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable, net of current maturities	1,000	1,000
Other	223,940	225,940
Total long-term liabilities	224,940	226,940
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)	65,773,665	68,600,228
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$70,544,594	$78,574,975

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
MEMBERS' EQUITY, units issued and outstanding	29,620,000	29,620,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
REVENUES	$20,715,145	$38,291,090
COSTS OF REVENUES	20,006,014	27,423,861
GROSS PROFIT	709,131	10,867,229
OPERATING EXPENSES	1,076,933	1,033,381
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	-367,802	9,833,848
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	65,212	8,070
Equity in net income of investments	543,708	2,216,087
Interest expense	-2,169	-83,702
Total other income	606,751	2,140,455
NET INCOME	$238,949	$11,974,303
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	$0.01	$0.40
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	29,620,000	29,620,000
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT	$0.10	$0.20

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$238,949	$11,974,303
Changes to net income affecting cash and cash equivalents
Depreciation and amortization	805,635	709,438
Distributions in excess of earnings (earnings in excess of distributions) from investments	6,456,292	-2,216,087
(Increase) decrease in
Receivables	-677,611	-5,649,006
Inventory	772,064	-2,404,651
Prepaid expenses	44,910	21,665
Derivative financial instruments	-530,505	-226,351
Accounts payable	-4,439,905	-7,379,380
Accrued and other liabilities	-93,223	-8,787
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	2,576,606	-5,178,856
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment	-763,721	-1,568,005
Purchase of investments	0	-15,000
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	-763,721	-1,583,005
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	135,166	2,222,561
Principal payments on long-term notes payable	-8,191	-320,292
Distributions paid to members	-3,065,512	-5,966,273
NET CASH (USED FOR) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	-2,938,537	-4,064,004
NET (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-1,125,652	-10,825,865
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	6,104,383	20,706,458
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	4,978,731	9,880,593
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest	2,848	92,085
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$135,119	$0

Nature_of_Operations

Nature of Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Nature of Operations [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	NATURE OF OPERATIONS
	Principal Business Activity
	Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC and subsidiary (the Company) is a South Dakota limited liability company.
	The Company owns and manages Dakota Ethanol, LLC (Dakota Ethanol), a 40 million-gallon (annual nameplate capacity) ethanol plant, located near Wentworth, South Dakota. Dakota Ethanol sells ethanol and related products to customers located in North America.
	In addition, the Company has investment interests in five companies in ethanol-related industries. See note 4 for further details.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
	The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading.
	In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.
	These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014, contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for 2014.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue from the production of ethanol and related products is recorded when title transfers to customers. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point, based on written contract terms between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Collectability of revenue is reasonably assured based on historical evidence of collectability between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Interest income is recognized as earned.
	Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distiller's grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.
	Cost of Revenues
	The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.
	Shipping costs on modified and wet distiller’s grains are included in cost of revenues.
	Inventory Valuation
	Ethanol inventory, raw materials, work-in-process, and parts inventory are valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Distillers grains and related products are stated at net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase and sale commitments, market is based on current replacement values except that it does not exceed net realizable values and is not less than net realizable values reduced by allowances for approximate normal profit margin.
	Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities
	The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that the Company manages by using forward or derivative instruments are price risk on anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil.
	The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow the Company to pass along increased corn costs to its customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.
	Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting as normal purchases or normal sales.  Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.
	The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to purchasing 4.1 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.56 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 20% of the annual plant corn usage.
	The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with some of our natural gas suppliers under which we agree to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of that natural gas.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time this price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 420,000 MMBtu’s of natural gas with an average price of $3.02 per MMBtu.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 32% of the projected annual plant requirements.
	The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of the distillers grains.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time this price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to selling approximately 31,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $131 per ton.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 19% of the projected annual plant production.
	The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of the distillers corn oil.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time this price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to selling approximately 1,411,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.28 per pound.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 11% of the projected annual plant production.
	The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.
	As part of its trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk and we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories. To reduce that risk, the Company generally take positions using forward and futures contracts and options.
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Balance Sheet Classification	31-Mar-15			December 31, 2014*
	Forward contracts in gain position	Current Assets	$	23,822		$	105,813
	Futures contracts in gain position	Current Assets	253,213			9,112
	Futures contracts in loss position	Current Assets	—			(109,200		)
	Total forward and futures contracts		277,035			5,725
	Cash held by broker		778,145			1,451,734
		Current Assets	$	1,055,180		$	1,457,459
	Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(514,729	)	$	(1,447,513	)
	*Derived from audited financial statements.
	Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.
	Forward contracts are with multiple parties and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.
	Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and derivative contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.
		Statement of Operations	Three Months Ended March 31,
		Classification	2015			2014
	Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
	Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	679,752		$	(2,713,674	)
	Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(110,138		)	14,151
	Investments
	The Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are flow-through entities and are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of income and added to the investment account.  Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income from investments based on the most recent reliable data.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or market accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.
	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The guidance eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items but does not change the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual or infrequent in nature. Eliminating the concept of extraordinary items will allow the entity to no longer have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. This update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Inventory

Inventory	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory [Abstract]
Inventory	INVENTORY
	Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15		December 31, 2014*
	Raw materials	$	3,130,487	$	3,815,780
	Finished goods	641,826		689,276
	Work in process	527,316		571,521
	Parts inventory	1,034,953		1,030,069
		$	5,334,582	$	6,106,646
	*Derived from audited financial statements.

Investments_Notes

Investments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	INVESTMENTS
	Dakota Ethanol has a 7% investment interest in the company’s ethanol marketer, Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG).  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for RPMG is based on RPMG’s December 31, 2014 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,850,000 and $1,748,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Dakota Ethanol has a 9% investment interest in Prairie Gold Venture Partnership, LLC (PGVP), a venture capital fund investing in cellulosic ethanol production.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for PGVP is based on PGVP’s December 31, 2014 unaudited interim financials. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,174,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Dakota Ethanol has a 10% investment interest in Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC (LT), a partnership which owns and operates an ethanol storage terminal in Georgia.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for LT is based on LT’s March 31, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $578,000 and $540,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Lake Area Corn Processors has a 10% investment interest in Guardian Hankinson, LLC (GH), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in North Dakota.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GH is based on GH’s March 31, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $13,123,000 and $19,720,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
	Lake Area Corn Processors has a 17% investment interest in Guardian Energy Management, LLC (GEM), a partnership to provide management services to ethanol plants.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GEM is based on GEM’s March 31, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $33,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
	Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company’s investments in RPMG, PGVP, LT, GH and GEM is as follows:
	Balance Sheet	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Current Assets	$	165,247,407	$	209,600,962
	Other Assets	172,864,598		176,468,346
	Current Liabilities	116,755,263		95,234,540
	Long-term Debt	28,762,695		34,280,219
	Members' Equity	192,594,045		256,554,549
		Three Months Ended
	Income Statement	31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Revenue	$	63,853,873	$	87,414,233
	Gross Profit	12,013,364		26,927,292
	Net Income	5,913,421		20,363,978
	The following table shows the condensed financial information of Guardian Hankinson, which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income as of March 31, 2015
	Balance Sheet	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Current Assets	$	17,755,377	$	90,121,911
	Other Assets	153,508,295		157,660,672
	Current Liabilities	11,270,853		16,384,133
	Long-term Debt	28,762,695		34,264,219
	Members' Equity	131,230,124		197,134,231
		Three Months Ended
	Income Statement	31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Revenue	$	59,727,104	$	84,966,199
	Gross Profit	9,038,746		24,883,705
	Net Income	4,095,892		19,300,522
	The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $410,000 and $2,136,000 from GH for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $134,000 and $80,000 from its other investments for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The Company has undistributed net earnings in investees of approximately $2,414,000 and $8,880,000 as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Short_Term_Note_Payable

Short Term Note Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Short Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Short Term Note Payable	On November 11, 2014, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in on amount up to $10,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation. Interest on the outstanding principal balances will accrue at 300 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 3.15% at March 31, 2015. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory. The note expires on November 1, 2016. On March 31, 2015, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $5,118,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

Long_Term_Notes_Payable

Long Term Notes Payable	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Long Term Notes Payable	LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE
	Dakota Ethanol has a long-term note payable with FCSA. As part of the note payable agreements, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits, debt service coverage ratios and minimum working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory.
	On November 11, 2014, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount of $15,000,000. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $750,000 semi-annually starting on April 1, 2015 until the maximum balance reaches $7.5 million on October 1, 2019. The note matures on October 1, 2024. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 3.40% at March 31, 2015. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2015, Dakota Ethanol had $1,000 outstanding and $14,999,000 available to be drawn on the note.
	The balances of the notes payable are as follows:
		15-Mar-15			December 31, 2014*
	Notes payable - FCSA	$	1,000		$	1,000
	Note payable - Other	5,517			13,708
		6,517			14,708
	Less current portion	(5,517		)	(13,708		)
		$	1,000		$	1,000
	*Derived from audited financial statements
	Minimum principal payments for the next five years are estimated as follows:
	Years Ending March 31,	Amount
	2016	$	5,517
	2017	—
	2018	—
	2019	—
	2020	—
	Thereafter	1,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Notes

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	The Company complies with the fair value measurements and disclosures standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for those assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet on a fair value basis.
	The Company’s balance sheet contains derivative financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements and disclosures require that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.
	Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2 uses observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.
	Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.
	A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.
	Derivative financial instruments. Commodity futures and options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the CBOT and NYMEX markets. Over-the-counter commodity options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the over-the-counter markets. Forward purchase contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from local grain terminal bid values. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include live trading bids from local elevators and processing plants which are based off the CBOT markets.
	The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	31-Mar-15
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	253,213		$	253,213		$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	23,822			—			23,822			—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments, forward contracts	$	(514,729	)	$	—		$	(514,729	)	$	—
	December 31, 2014*
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	9,112		$	9,112		$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	105,813			—			105,813			—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	(109,200	)	$	(109,200	)	$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	(1,447,513		)	—			(1,447,513		)	—
	*Derived from audited financial statements.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Dakota Ethanol has a 7% interest in RPMG, and Dakota Ethanol has entered into marketing agreements with RPMG for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol, dried distiller's grains and corn oil inventories produced by Dakota Ethanol.  The marketing fees are included in net revenues.
	Sales and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows:
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2015		2014
	Revenues ethanol	$	15,535,649	$	30,921,477
	Revenues distiller's grains and corn oil	1,705,629		2,589,760
	Marketing fees ethanol	42,246		32,903
	Marketing fees distiller's grains and corn oil	15,100		14,667
		31-Mar-15		December 31, 2014*
	Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$	2,558,934	$	246,560
	*Derived from audited financial statements.

Commitments_Notes

Commitments (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments [Abstract]
Commitments	COMMITMENTS
	Tank farm project - Dakota Ethanol has committed to contracts to expand the ethanol tank farm and shipping equipment. The total value of the contracts is approximately $4 million. The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2015. Dakota Ethanol will pay for the upgrades with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt currently in place.

Accounting_Policies

Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation
	The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	Revenue from the production of ethanol and related products is recorded when title transfers to customers. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point, based on written contract terms between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Collectability of revenue is reasonably assured based on historical evidence of collectability between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Interest income is recognized as earned.
	Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distiller's grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.
Cost of Revenues	Cost of Revenues
	The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.
	Shipping costs on modified and wet distiller’s grains are included in cost of revenues.
Inventory Valuation	Inventory Valuation
	Ethanol inventory, raw materials, work-in-process, and parts inventory are valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Distillers grains and related products are stated at net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase and sale commitments, market is based on current replacement values except that it does not exceed net realizable values and is not less than net realizable values reduced by allowances for approximate normal profit margin.
Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities	Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities
	The Company is exposed to certain risks related to its ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that the Company manages by using forward or derivative instruments are price risk on anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil.
	The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow the Company to pass along increased corn costs to its customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.
	Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting as normal purchases or normal sales.  Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.
	The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to purchasing 4.1 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.56 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 20% of the annual plant corn usage.
	The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with some of our natural gas suppliers under which we agree to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of that natural gas.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time this price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 420,000 MMBtu’s of natural gas with an average price of $3.02 per MMBtu.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 32% of the projected annual plant requirements.
	The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of the distillers grains.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time this price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to selling approximately 31,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $131 per ton.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 19% of the projected annual plant production.
	The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery of the distillers corn oil.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time this price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered.  At March 31, 2015, the Company is committed to selling approximately 1,411,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.28 per pound.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 11% of the projected annual plant production.
	The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.
	As part of its trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk and we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories. To reduce that risk, the Company generally take positions using forward and futures contracts and options.
	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Balance Sheet Classification	31-Mar-15			December 31, 2014*
	Forward contracts in gain position	Current Assets	$	23,822		$	105,813
	Futures contracts in gain position	Current Assets	253,213			9,112
	Futures contracts in loss position	Current Assets	—			(109,200		)
	Total forward and futures contracts		277,035			5,725
	Cash held by broker		778,145			1,451,734
		Current Assets	$	1,055,180		$	1,457,459
	Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(514,729	)	$	(1,447,513	)
	*Derived from audited financial statements.
	Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.
	Forward contracts are with multiple parties and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.
	Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and derivative contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.
		Statement of Operations	Three Months Ended March 31,
		Classification	2015			2014
	Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
	Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	679,752		$	(2,713,674	)
	Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(110,138		)	14,151
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or market accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
	In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), requiring an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The updated standard will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is not permitted. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on the consolidated financial statements.
	In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement-Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The guidance eliminates from GAAP the concept of extraordinary items. ASU 2015-01 eliminates the separate presentation of extraordinary items but does not change the requirement to disclose material items that are unusual or infrequent in nature. Eliminating the concept of extraordinary items will allow the entity to no longer have to assess whether a particular event or transaction is both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence. This update will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company is currently assessing the impact that this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, but does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows:
		Balance Sheet Classification	31-Mar-15			December 31, 2014*
	Forward contracts in gain position	Current Assets	$	23,822		$	105,813
	Futures contracts in gain position	Current Assets	253,213			9,112
	Futures contracts in loss position	Current Assets	—			(109,200		)
	Total forward and futures contracts		277,035			5,725
	Cash held by broker		778,145			1,451,734
		Current Assets	$	1,055,180		$	1,457,459
	Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(514,729	)	$	(1,447,513	)
	*Derived from audited financial statements.
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts
		Statement of Operations	Three Months Ended March 31,
		Classification	2015			2014
	Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
	Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	679,752		$	(2,713,674	)
	Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(110,138		)	14,151

Inventory_Tables

Inventory (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Inventory [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		31-Mar-15		December 31, 2014*
	Raw materials	$	3,130,487	$	3,815,780
	Finished goods	641,826		689,276
	Work in process	527,316		571,521
	Parts inventory	1,034,953		1,030,069
		$	5,334,582	$	6,106,646
	*Derived from audited financial statements.

Investments_Investments_Tables

Investments Investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments
	Balance Sheet	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Current Assets	$	165,247,407	$	209,600,962
	Other Assets	172,864,598		176,468,346
	Current Liabilities	116,755,263		95,234,540
	Long-term Debt	28,762,695		34,280,219
	Members' Equity	192,594,045		256,554,549
		Three Months Ended
	Income Statement	31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Revenue	$	63,853,873	$	87,414,233
	Gross Profit	12,013,364		26,927,292
	Net Income	5,913,421		20,363,978
	The following table shows the condensed financial information of Guardian Hankinson, which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income as of March 31, 2015
	Balance Sheet	31-Mar-15		31-Dec-14
	Current Assets	$	17,755,377	$	90,121,911
	Other Assets	153,508,295		157,660,672
	Current Liabilities	11,270,853		16,384,133
	Long-term Debt	28,762,695		34,264,219
	Members' Equity	131,230,124		197,134,231
		Three Months Ended
	Income Statement	31-Mar-15		31-Mar-14
	Revenue	$	59,727,104	$	84,966,199
	Gross Profit	9,038,746		24,883,705
	Net Income	4,095,892		19,300,522

Long_Term_Notes_Payable_Tables

Long Term Notes Payable (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt
		15-Mar-15			December 31, 2014*
	Notes payable - FCSA	$	1,000		$	1,000
	Note payable - Other	5,517			13,708
		6,517			14,708
	Less current portion	(5,517		)	(13,708		)
		$	1,000		$	1,000
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt
	Years Ending March 31,	Amount
	2016	$	5,517
	2017	—
	2018	—
	2019	—
	2020	—
	Thereafter	1,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping
		Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
	31-Mar-15
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	253,213		$	253,213		$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	23,822			—			23,822			—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments, forward contracts	$	(514,729	)	$	—		$	(514,729	)	$	—
	December 31, 2014*
	Assets:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	9,112		$	9,112		$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	105,813			—			105,813			—
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts	$	(109,200	)	$	(109,200	)	$	—		$	—
	forward contracts	(1,447,513		)	—			(1,447,513		)	—

Related_Party_Transactions_Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions
		Three Months Ended March 31
		2015		2014
	Revenues ethanol	$	15,535,649	$	30,921,477
	Revenues distiller's grains and corn oil	1,705,629		2,589,760
	Marketing fees ethanol	42,246		32,903
	Marketing fees distiller's grains and corn oil	15,100		14,667
		31-Mar-15		December 31, 2014*
	Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$	2,558,934	$	246,560

Nature_of_Operations_Details

Nature of Operations (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	gal
Product Information [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5
Ethanol [Member] | Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Annual production capacity	40,000,000

Derivative_Instruments_Balance

Derivative Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
	bu
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Other Receivables from Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations	$778,145	$1,451,734
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	1,055,180	1,457,459
Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	277,035	5,725
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	1,055,180	1,457,459
Forward Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	20.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	4,100,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit	3.56
Forward Contracts [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	32.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	420,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit	3.02
Forward Contracts [Member] | Distillers Grain [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	19.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	31,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit	131
Forward Contracts [Member] | Corn Oil [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	11.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	1,411,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit	0.28
Forward Contracts [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	23,822	105,813
Forward Contracts [Member] | Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Current	514,729	1,447,513
Futures contracts in gain position [Member] | Future [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	253,213	9,112
Futures Contracts held in loss position [Member] | Future [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	$0	$109,200

Derivative_Instruments_Income_

Derivative Instruments - Income Statement (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], Cost of Sales [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	($110,138)	$14,151
Future [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$679,752	($2,713,674)

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investments (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5

Inventory_Details

Inventory (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$3,130,487	$3,815,780
Finished Goods	641,826	689,276
Work in Process	527,316	571,521
Parts Inventory	1,034,953	1,030,069
Inventory	$5,334,582	$6,106,646

Investments_Details

Investments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$16,758,164		$23,214,456
Equity in net income of investments	543,708	2,216,087
Retained Earnings, Undistributed Earnings from Equity Method Investees	2,414,000		8,880,000
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%
Investments	1,850,000		1,748,000
Prairie Gold Venture Partnership, LLC (PGVP) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	9.00%
Investments	1,174,000		1,174,000
Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Investments	578,000		540,000
Guardian Hankinson, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Investments	13,123,000		19,720,000
Equity in net income of investments	410,000	2,136,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	17,755,377		90,121,911
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	153,508,295		157,660,672
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	11,270,853		16,384,133
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	28,762,695		34,264,219
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	131,230,124		197,134,231
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	59,727,104	84,966,199
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	9,038,746	24,883,705
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	4,095,892	19,300,522
Guardian Energy Management [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	17.00%
Investments	33,000		33,000
Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in net income of investments	134,000	80,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	165,247,407		209,600,962
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	172,864,598		176,468,346
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	116,755,263		95,234,540
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	28,762,695		34,280,219
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	192,594,045		256,554,549
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	63,853,873	87,414,233
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	12,013,364	26,927,292
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	$5,913,421	$20,363,978

Short_Term_Note_Payable_Detail

Short Term Note Payable (Details) (Farm Credit Services of America [Member], Line of Credit [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Line of Credit [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.00%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$10,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	3.15%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	0
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$5,118,000

Long_Term_Note_Payable_Details

Long Term Note Payable (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$6,517	$14,708
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	-5,517	-13,708
Notes payable, net of current maturities	1,000	1,000
Farm Credit Services of America [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable	1,000	1,000
Notes Payable, Other Payables [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes Payable	5,517	13,708
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	15,000,000
Periodic decrease in line of credit availability	750,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	7,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	3.40%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	1,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity	$14,999,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%

Long_Term_Notes_Payable_Maturi

Long Term Notes Payable Maturities of Long Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
Long-term Debt, Repayments, 2015	$5,517
Long-term Debt, Repayments, 2016	0
Long-term Debt, Repayments, 2017	0
Long-term Debt, Repayments, 2018	0
Long-term Debt, Repayments, 2019	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$1,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$253,213	$9,112
Derivative Liability	0	-109,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	-514,729	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability		0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	23,822	105,813
Derivative Liability		-1,447,513
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability		0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Future [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	253,213	9,112
Derivative Liability	-514,729	-109,200
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	23,822	105,813
Derivative Liability		($1,447,513)

Related_Party_Transactions_Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from Related Parties, Current	$2,558,934		$246,560
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%
Ethanol [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	15,535,649	30,921,477
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	42,246	32,903
Dstiller's Grains and Corn Oil [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	1,705,629	2,589,760
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$15,100	$14,667

Commitments_Details

Commitments (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments [Abstract]
Construction in Progress Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	$4