Lake Area Corn Processors (LKCRU) 10-Q 13 Nov 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Nov. 13, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS LLC
Entity Central Index Key	1,156,174
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,620,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 9,569,321	$ 6,104,383
Accounts receivable	2,946,752	1,025,685
Other receivables	21,197	1,381,468
Inventory	4,103,611	6,106,646
Derivative financial instruments	1,004,878	1,457,459
Prepaid expenses	115,227	306,351
Total current assets	17,760,986	16,381,992
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	874,473	676,097
Land improvements	3,829,656	2,739,818
Buildings	8,881,297	9,655,192
Equipment	49,987,541	46,138,840
Construction in progress	3,602,612	626,085
Gross Property and Equipment	67,175,579	59,836,032
Less accumulated depreciation	(33,131,771)	(31,486,760)
Net property and equipment	34,043,808	28,349,272
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766	10,395,766
Investments	16,106,941	23,214,456
Other	148,097	233,489
Total other assets	26,650,804	33,843,711
TOTAL ASSETS	78,455,598	78,574,975
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	4,410,088	246,847
Accounts payable	3,537,420	7,407,491
Accrued liabilities	519,806	511,613
Derivative financial instruments	407,771	1,447,513
Current maturities of notes payable	0	13,708
Other	120,635	120,635
Total current liabilities	8,995,720	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)	$ 69,234,938	$ 68,600,228
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$ 78,455,598	$ 78,574,975

Consolidated Balance Sheets Par

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - shares	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
MEMBERS' EQUITY, units issued and outstanding	29,620,000	29,620,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
REVENUES	$ 22,038,423	$ 28,961,413	$ 66,433,906	$ 97,721,057
COSTS OF REVENUES	19,817,321	21,309,028	60,642,843	70,069,939
GROSS PROFIT	2,221,102	7,652,385	5,791,063	27,651,118
OPERATING EXPENSES	772,964	843,870	1,894,522	2,760,821
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	1,448,138	6,808,515	3,896,541	24,890,297
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	12,014	14,532	94,284	41,410
Business interruption claims recovery	0	0	500,000	0
Equity in net income of investments	392,686	2,213,776	2,177,486	6,501,663
Interest expense	(1,954)	(77,133)	(6,089)	(247,017)
Total other income	402,746	2,151,175	2,765,681	6,296,056
NET INCOME	$ 1,850,884	$ 8,959,690	$ 6,662,222	$ 31,186,353
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	$ 0.06	$ 0.30	$ 0.22	$ 1.05
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	29,620,000	29,620,000	29,620,000	29,620,000
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT	$ 0.10	$ 0.35	$ 0.20	$ 0.80

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 6,662,222	$ 31,186,353
Changes to net income affecting cash and cash equivalents
Depreciation and amortization	2,440,041	2,111,759
Distributions in excess of earnings (earnings in excess of distributions) from investments	7,127,600	(6,501,663)
Gain on involuntary conversion property and equipment	(825,709)	0
(Increase) decrease in
Receivables	(560,796)	237,982
Inventory	2,003,035	4,020,229
Prepaid expenses	191,124	66,270
Derivative financial instruments	(587,161)	1,508,959
Accounts payable	(4,494,851)	(9,161,420)
Accrued and other liabilities	6,193	(67,515)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	11,961,698	23,400,954
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Insurance proceeds	1,500,000	0
Purchase of property and equipment	(8,103,781)	(5,322,208)
Purchase of investments	(15,000)	(455,000)
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(6,618,781)	(5,777,208)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	4,163,241	1,436,470
Principal payments on long-term notes payable	(13,708)	(2,461,171)
Distributions paid to members	(6,027,512)	(23,738,272)
NET CASH (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	(1,877,979)	(24,762,973)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	3,464,938	(7,139,227)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	6,104,383	20,706,458
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	9,569,321	13,567,231
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest	6,790	249,937
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$ 624,780	$ 1,832,762

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 and nine months ended September 30, 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 inventories and anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil. As part of its trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and forward contracts. 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1.3 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.70 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 7% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 60,000 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 commitments to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 5% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 43,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $119 per ton. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these commitments to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 28% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 768,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.23 per pound. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these commitments to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 7% of the projected annual plant production. The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of September 30, 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. Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Forward contracts in gain position $ 19,661 $ 105,813 Futures contracts in gain position 85,688 9,112 Futures contracts in loss position (450 ) (109,200 ) Total forward and futures contracts 104,899 5,725 Cash held by broker 899,979 1,451,734 Current Assets $ 1,004,878 $ 1,457,459 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (407,771 ) $ (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 September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,067,934 $ 2,413,385 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (826,316 ) (2,551,374 ) Statement of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,133,731 $ 2,243,407 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (524,216 ) (4,539,397 ) 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 2018. 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. Reclassification Certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income have been reclassified to conform to the current classification. The changes have no effect to net income, but were changed to agree with the classifications used in the September 30, 2015 financial statements.

Inventory

Inventory	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory [Abstract]
Inventory	INVENTORY Inventory consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Raw materials $ 1,689,130 $ 3,815,780 Finished goods 820,148 689,276 Work in process 483,088 571,521 Parts inventory 1,111,245 1,030,069 $ 4,103,611 $ 6,106,646 *Derived from audited financial statements.

Investments (Notes)

Investments (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 June 30, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $2,022,000 and $1,748,000 as of September 30, 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 June 30, 2015 unaudited interim financials. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,174,000 as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $636,000 and $540,000 as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $12,233,000 and $19,720,000 as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $42,000 and $33,000 as of September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current Assets $ 144,382,173 $ 209,600,962 Other Assets 163,655,976 176,468,346 Current Liabilities 109,657,877 95,234,540 Long-term Liabilities 23,509,649 34,280,219 Members' Equity 174,870,626 256,554,549 Three Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 57,924,872 $ 79,417,635 Gross Profit 10,058,230 28,467,567 Net Income 4,118,713 22,526,056 Nine Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 192,106,193 $ 249,195,600 Gross Profit 40,502,166 82,863,893 Net Income 22,989,997 63,860,622 The following table shows the condensed financial information of GH, which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income as of September 30, 2015 : Balance Sheet September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current Assets $ 17,416,053 $ 90,121,911 Other Assets 144,781,780 157,660,672 Current Liabilities 16,359,962 16,384,133 Long-term Liabilities 23,509,649 34,264,219 Members' Equity 122,328,222 197,134,231 Three Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 54,012,760 $ 77,084,462 Gross Profit 7,230,931 26,460,442 Net Income 2,847,066 21,211,509 Nine Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 180,069,527 $ 241,880,650 Gross Profit 31,794,870 76,563,381 Net Income 18,193,991 60,388,125 The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $285,000 and $1,819,000 from GH for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $2,121,000 and $6,244,000 from GH for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $108,000 and $358,000 from its other investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $93,000 and $257,000 from our other investments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 respectively. The Company has undistributed net earnings in investees of approximately $1,762,000 and $8,880,000 as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Short Term Note Payable

Short Term Note Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Short Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Short Term Note Payable	REVOLVING OPERATING NOTE 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 3.20% at September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 , Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $3,587,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

Long Term Notes Payable

Long Term Notes Payable	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 agreement, 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 3.45% at September 30, 2015 . The note contains a non-use fee of 0.5% on the unused portion of the note. On September 30, 2015 , Dakota Ethanol had $1,000 outstanding and $14,249,000 available to be drawn on the note. The balances of the notes payable are as follows: September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Notes payable - FCSA $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Note payable - Other — 13,708 1,000 14,708 Less current portion — (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 September 30, Amount 2016 $ — 2017 — 2018 — 2019 — 2020 — Thereafter 1,000

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)

Fair Value Measurements (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30, 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 September 30, 2015 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 85,688 $ 85,688 $ — $ — forward contracts 19,661 — 19,661 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (450 ) $ (450 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (407,771 ) — (407,771 ) — 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2015 , the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 , the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues ethanol $ 17,023,820 $ 23,770,949 $ 50,642,929 $ 78,478,697 Revenues distiller's dried grains and corn oil 2,801,540 3,196,584 7,026,972 8,780,414 Marketing fees ethanol 42,246 32,903 126,739 98,708 Marketing fees distiller's dried grains and corn oil 19,977 22,374 52,182 53,248 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Amounts due included in accounts receivable $ 2,417,617 $ 246,560 *Derived from audited financial statements.

Commitments (Notes)

Commitments (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Commitments [Abstract]
Commitments	COMMITMENTS Dakota Ethanol has started a project to expand the railroad track siding. The estimated cost of the total project is approximately $7 million . The total value of the contracts to date is approximately $4.5 million . There is approximately $3.5 million remaining on the contracts as of September 30, 2015. The project is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2016. Dakota Ethanol will pay for the upgrades with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt currently in place.

Insurance Claims (Notes)

Insurance Claims (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Extraordinary Item [Line Items]
Business Insurance Recoveries [Text Block]	INSURANCE CLAIMS Dakota Ethanol experienced property damage to grain handling equipment in June 2014. The damages were covered by property and business interruption insurance policies. The Company continued to use the equipment through May 2015, at which time the equipment was disposed of resulting in a loss of approximately $674,000 . Insurance proceeds of $2,000,000 , consisting of $1,500,000 from the property insurance claim and $500,000 from the business interruption claim, were received in the second quarter of 2015. The loss on disposal of damaged assets and property insurance proceeds are both recorded in operating expenses in the statements of income.

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 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 inventories and anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil. As part of its trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and forward contracts. 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1.3 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.70 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 7% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 60,000 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 commitments to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 5% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 43,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $119 per ton. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these commitments to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 28% 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 September 30, 2015 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 768,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.23 per pound. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these commitments to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 7% of the projected annual plant production. The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of September 30, 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. Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Forward contracts in gain position $ 19,661 $ 105,813 Futures contracts in gain position 85,688 9,112 Futures contracts in loss position (450 ) (109,200 ) Total forward and futures contracts 104,899 5,725 Cash held by broker 899,979 1,451,734 Current Assets $ 1,004,878 $ 1,457,459 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (407,771 ) $ (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 September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,067,934 $ 2,413,385 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (826,316 ) (2,551,374 ) Statement of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,133,731 $ 2,243,407 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (524,216 ) (4,539,397 )
Investments	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	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 2018. 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.
Reclassifications [Text Block]	Reclassification Certain items in the Consolidated Statements of Income have been reclassified to conform to the current classification. The changes have no effect to net income, but were changed to agree with the classifications used in the September 30, 2015 financial statements.

Summary of Significant Accoun17

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were as follows: Balance Sheet Classification September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Forward contracts in gain position $ 19,661 $ 105,813 Futures contracts in gain position 85,688 9,112 Futures contracts in loss position (450 ) (109,200 ) Total forward and futures contracts 104,899 5,725 Cash held by broker 899,979 1,451,734 Current Assets $ 1,004,878 $ 1,457,459 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (407,771 ) $ (1,447,513 ) *Derived from audited financial statements.
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts	Statement of Operations Three Months Ended September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,067,934 $ 2,413,385 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (826,316 ) (2,551,374 ) Statement of Operations Nine Months Ended September 30, Classification 2015 2014 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 1,133,731 $ 2,243,407 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (524,216 ) (4,539,397 )

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Inventory [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	Inventory consisted of the following as of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 : September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Raw materials $ 1,689,130 $ 3,815,780 Finished goods 820,148 689,276 Work in process 483,088 571,521 Parts inventory 1,111,245 1,030,069 $ 4,103,611 $ 6,106,646 *Derived from audited financial statements.

Investments Investments (Tables

Investments Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	Balance Sheet September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current Assets $ 144,382,173 $ 209,600,962 Other Assets 163,655,976 176,468,346 Current Liabilities 109,657,877 95,234,540 Long-term Liabilities 23,509,649 34,280,219 Members' Equity 174,870,626 256,554,549 Three Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 57,924,872 $ 79,417,635 Gross Profit 10,058,230 28,467,567 Net Income 4,118,713 22,526,056 Nine Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 192,106,193 $ 249,195,600 Gross Profit 40,502,166 82,863,893 Net Income 22,989,997 63,860,622 The following table shows the condensed financial information of GH, which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income as of September 30, 2015 : Balance Sheet September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014 Current Assets $ 17,416,053 $ 90,121,911 Other Assets 144,781,780 157,660,672 Current Liabilities 16,359,962 16,384,133 Long-term Liabilities 23,509,649 34,264,219 Members' Equity 122,328,222 197,134,231 Three Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 54,012,760 $ 77,084,462 Gross Profit 7,230,931 26,460,442 Net Income 2,847,066 21,211,509 Nine Months Ended Income Statement September 30, 2015 September 30, 2014 Revenue $ 180,069,527 $ 241,880,650 Gross Profit 31,794,870 76,563,381 Net Income 18,193,991 60,388,125

Long Term Notes Payable (Tables

Long Term Notes Payable (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt	September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Notes payable - FCSA $ 1,000 $ 1,000 Note payable - Other — 13,708 1,000 14,708 Less current portion — (13,708 ) $ 1,000 $ 1,000
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Years Ending September 30, Amount 2016 $ — 2017 — 2018 — 2019 — 2020 — Thereafter 1,000

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 September 30, 2015 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 85,688 $ 85,688 $ — $ — forward contracts 19,661 — 19,661 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (450 ) $ (450 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (407,771 ) — (407,771 ) — 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)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Three Months Ended September 30 Nine Months Ended September 30 2015 2014 2015 2014 Revenues ethanol $ 17,023,820 $ 23,770,949 $ 50,642,929 $ 78,478,697 Revenues distiller's dried grains and corn oil 2,801,540 3,196,584 7,026,972 8,780,414 Marketing fees ethanol 42,246 32,903 126,739 98,708 Marketing fees distiller's dried grains and corn oil 19,977 22,374 52,182 53,248 September 30, 2015 December 31, 2014* Amounts due included in accounts receivable $ 2,417,617 $ 246,560

Nature of Operations (Details)

Nature of Operations (Details) gal in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015gal
Product Information [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5
Ethanol [Member] | Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Annual production capacity	40

Derivative Instruments - Balanc

Derivative Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details) bu in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)buMMBTUT$ / T$ / bu	Dec. 31, 2014USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	$ 1,004,878	$ 1,457,459
Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash held by broker	899,979	1,451,734
Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	104,899	5,725
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	1,004,878	1,457,459
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	$ 407,771	1,447,513
Forward Contracts [Member] | Corn [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	7.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | bu	1.3
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / bu	3.70
Forward Contracts [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	5.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | MMBTU	60,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / bu	3.02
Forward Contracts [Member] | Distillers Grain [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	28.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | T	43,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / T	119
Forward Contracts [Member] | Corn Oil [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Product usage, percentage	7.00%
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held	768,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / bu	0.23
Forward Contracts [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	$ 19,661	105,813
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	85,688	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 Liability, Current	$ 450	$ 109,200

Derivative Instruments - Income

Derivative Instruments - Income Statement (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Cost of Sales [Member] - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ (826,316)	$ (2,551,374)	$ (524,216)	$ (4,539,397)
Future [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 1,067,934	$ 2,413,385	$ 1,133,731	$ 2,243,407

Summary of Significant Accoun26

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investments (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventory [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$ 1,689,130	$ 3,815,780
Finished Goods	820,148	689,276
Work in Process	483,088	571,521
Parts Inventory	1,111,245	1,030,069
Inventory	$ 4,103,611	$ 6,106,646

Investments (Details)

Investments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 16,106,941		$ 16,106,941		$ 23,214,456
Equity in net income of investments	392,686	$ 2,213,776	2,177,486	$ 6,501,663
Retained Earnings, Undistributed Earnings from Equity Method Investees	$ 1,762,000		$ 1,762,000		8,880,000
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%		7.00%
Investments	$ 2,022,000		$ 2,022,000		1,748,000
Prairie Gold Venture Partnership, LLC (PGVP) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	9.00%		9.00%
Investments	$ 1,174,000		$ 1,174,000		1,174,000
Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%		10.00%
Investments	$ 636,000		$ 636,000		540,000
Guardian Hankinson, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%		10.00%
Investments	$ 12,233,000		$ 12,233,000		19,720,000
Equity in net income of investments	285,000	2,121,000	1,819,000	6,244,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	17,416,053		17,416,053		90,121,911
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	144,781,780		144,781,780		157,660,672
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	16,359,962		16,359,962		16,384,133
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	23,509,649		23,509,649		34,264,219
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	122,328,222		122,328,222		197,134,231
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	54,012,760	77,084,462	180,069,527	241,880,650
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	7,230,931	26,460,442	31,794,870	76,563,381
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	$ 2,847,066	21,211,509	$ 18,193,991	60,388,125
Guardian Energy Management [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	17.00%		17.00%
Investments	$ 42,000		$ 42,000		33,000
Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in net income of investments	108,000	93,000	358,000	257,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	144,382,173		144,382,173		209,600,962
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Assets	163,655,976		163,655,976		176,468,346
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	109,657,877		109,657,877		95,234,540
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Noncurrent Liabilities	23,509,649		23,509,649		34,280,219
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	174,870,626		174,870,626		$ 256,554,549
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	57,924,872	79,417,635	192,106,193	249,195,600
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	10,058,230	28,467,567	40,502,166	82,863,893
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	$ 4,118,713	$ 22,526,056	$ 22,989,997	$ 63,860,622

Short Term Note Payable (Detail

Short Term Note Payable (Details) - Farm Credit Services of America [Member] - Line of Credit [Member]	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
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	3.20%
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	$ 3,587,000

Long Term Note Payable (Details

Long Term Note Payable (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 1,000	$ 14,708
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	0	(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	0	$ 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	3.45%
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	$ 14,249,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%

Long Term Notes Payable Maturit

Long Term Notes Payable Maturities of Long Term Debt (Details)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
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, Repayments, 2020	0
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$ 1,000

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Future [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 85,688	$ 9,112
Derivative Liability	450	109,200
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	85,688	9,112
Derivative Liability	450	109,200
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
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
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	19,661	105,813
Derivative Liability	407,771	1,447,513
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	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	19,661	105,813
Derivative Liability	407,771	1,447,513
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	$ 0

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from Related Parties, Current	$ 2,417,617		$ 2,417,617		$ 246,560
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%		7.00%
Ethanol [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	$ 17,023,820	$ 23,770,949	$ 50,642,929	$ 78,478,697
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	42,246	32,903	126,739	98,708
Distiller's dried grains and corn oil [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	2,801,540	3,196,584	7,026,972	8,780,414
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 19,977	$ 22,374	$ 52,182	$ 53,248

Commitments (Details)

Commitments (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Construction in progress, estimated cost	$ 7
Construction in Progress Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	3.5
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Amount	$ 5

Insurance Claims Extraordinary

Insurance Claims Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Unusual or Infrequent Item [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Disposals			$ 674,000
Business interruption claims recovery	$ 0	$ 0	500,000	$ 0
Unusual or Infrequent Item, Loss, Gross			2,000,000
Insurance proceeds			$ 1,500,000