Lake Area Corn Processors (LKCRU) 10-K 2 Mar 18 2017 FY Annual report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Mar. 02, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
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-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,620,000
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float			$ 0

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,102,959	$ 9,993,335
Accounts receivable	3,186,530	4,054,667
Other receivables	38,704	25,216
Inventory	5,526,094	6,212,619
Derivative financial instruments	862,840	1,057,465
Prepaid expenses	219,741	237,823
Total current assets	14,936,868	21,581,125
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	874,473	874,473
Land improvements	8,558,720	9,449,920
Buildings	8,955,206	8,955,206
Equipment	53,060,482	52,614,358
Construction in progress	8,475,840	0
Gross Property and Equipment	79,924,721	71,893,957
Less accumulated depreciation	(39,955,791)	(37,069,755)
Net property and equipment	39,968,930	34,824,202
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766	10,395,766
Investments	18,739,259	11,192,032
Other	31,417	122,964
Total other assets	29,166,442	21,710,762
TOTAL ASSETS	84,072,240	78,116,089
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	674,936	1,035,671
Accounts payable	6,123,995	7,670,550
Accrued liabilities	582,487	592,749
Derivative financial instruments	410,785	827,786
Current portion of notes payable	1,000,000	0
Other	13,556	141,323
Total current liabilities	8,805,759	10,268,079
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable	6,971,944	1,000
Other	12,000	25,556
Total long-term liabilities	6,983,944	26,556
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)	68,282,537	67,821,454
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$ 84,072,240	$ 78,116,089

Consolidated Balance Sheets Par

Consolidated Balance Sheets Parenthetical - shares	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
MEMBERS' EQUITY, units issued and outstanding	29,620,000	29,620,000

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
REVENUES	$ 84,821,788	$ 88,812,550	$ 88,997,947
COSTS OF REVENUES	76,253,945	76,097,861	81,445,770
GROSS PROFIT	8,567,843	12,714,689	7,552,177
OPERATING EXPENSES	3,717,291	3,642,087	1,827,789
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	4,850,552	9,072,602	5,724,388
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	77,033	40,367	117,471
Business interruption claims recovery	0	0	617,771
Equity in net income of investments	1,459,806	2,293,928	2,195,535
Interest expense	(2,308)	(1,689)	(1,635)
Total other income (expense)	1,534,531	2,332,606	2,929,142
NET INCOME	$ 6,385,083	$ 11,405,208	$ 8,653,530
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	$ 0.22	$ 0.39	$ 0.29
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	29,620,000	29,620,000	29,620,000

Consolidated Statement of Chang

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members' Equity	USD ($)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2014	$ 68,600,228
Net Income	8,653,530
Distributions to members	(8,989,512)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2015	68,264,246
Net Income	11,405,208
Distributions to members	(11,848,000)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2016	67,821,454
Net Income	6,385,083
Distributions to members	(5,924,000)
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 68,282,537

Consolidated Statement of Chan6

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Members' Equity Parenthetical - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Distribution Made to Limited Partner, Distributions Paid, Per Unit	$ 0.20	$ 0.40	$ 0.30

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net Income	$ 6,385,083	$ 11,405,208	$ 8,653,530
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	2,977,582	3,375,012	3,373,935
Distributions in excess of earnings from investments	2,598,644	4,032,960	8,004,464
(Gain) on insurance proceeds for damage to equipment	0	0	(2,818,955)
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	0	0	849,734
(Increase) decrease in
Receivables	816,730	(2,432,676)	759,945
Inventory	686,526	1,352,871	(1,458,844)
Prepaid expenses	18,080	43,732	24,796
Derivative financial instruments	(222,375)	(160,259)	(59,474)
Accounts payable	(1,550,377)	(2,017,964)	2,211,376
Accrued and other liabilities	(142,029)	80,872	(64,878)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	11,567,864	15,679,756	19,475,629
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Insurance proceeds received for damage to equipment	0	1,318,955	1,500,000
Purchase of property and equipment	(7,989,022)	(3,999,128)	(9,894,309)
Purchase of investments	(10,145,871)	0	(15,000)
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(18,134,893)	(2,680,173)	(8,409,309)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	(360,736)	558,505	230,319
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	8,000,000	0	0
Payments for long-term debt	(38,611)	(45,919)	(82,344)
Distributions to members	(5,924,000)	(11,848,000)	(8,989,512)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES	1,676,653	(11,335,414)	(8,841,537)
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	(4,890,376)	1,664,169	2,224,783
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	9,993,335	8,329,166	6,104,383
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	5,102,959	9,993,335	8,329,166
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of capitalized interest of $116,650, $2,940, and $6,715 in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively	2,317	1,687	1,689
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$ 111,390	$ 69,647	$ 52,989

Consolidated Statements of Cas8

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Parenthetical - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest Paid, Capitalized	$ 116,650	$ 2,940	$ 6,175

Nature of Operations

Nature of Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 primarily in North America. In addition, the Company has investment interests in six companies in related industries. See note 4 for further details.

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 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 distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer. 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 distillers grains are included in cost of revenues. Inventory Valuation Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand accounts and other accounts with original maturities of three months or less that provide withdrawal privileges. Receivables and Credit Policies Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices. The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The valuation allowance was $2,131 and $51,791 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively. Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities The Company is exposed to certain risks related to our 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 us to pass along increased corn costs to our 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 December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 2.5 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.30 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 14% of the projected annual plant corn usage. The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 40,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of $3.10 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 3% 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. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 38,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $101 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 26% of the projected annual plant production. The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 770,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.24 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 7% of the projected annual plant production. The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of December 31, 2017 . The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for ethanol, corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments. As part of our trading activity, The Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments. To reduce that risk, the Company generally takes positions using forward and futures contracts and options. Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows: Balance Sheet Classification December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Forward contracts in gain position $ 3,856 $ 6,491 Futures contracts in gain position 119,825 246,900 Futures contracts in loss position (1,363 ) (12,575 ) Total forward and futures contracts 122,318 240,816 Cash held by broker 740,522 816,649 Current Assets $ 862,840 $ 1,057,465 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (410,785 ) $ (827,786 ) 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 Years Ended December 31, Classification 2017 2016 2015 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 608,250 $ 1,874,523 $ 1,325,265 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (1,423,330 ) (1,707,414 ) (994,242 ) Investments The Company has investment interests in six companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are flow-through entities. Per ASC 323-30-S99-1, they are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account. Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data. 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 net realizable value accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation. Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s cash balances are maintained in bank depositories and regularly exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in connection with these balances. Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost. Significant additions and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to operations when incurred. Depreciation on assets placed in service is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows: Minimum Maximum Land improvements 20 years 40 years Equipment 5 years 20 years Buildings 15 years 40 years Equipment relates to two general categories: mechanical equipment and administrative and maintenance equipment. Mechanical equipment generally relates to equipment for handling inventories and the production of ethanol and related products, with useful lives of 15 to 20 years, including boilers, cooling towers, grain bins, centrifuges, conveyors, fermentation tanks, pumps and drying equipment. Administrative and maintenance equipment is equipment with useful lives of 5 to 15 years, including vehicles, computer systems, security equipment, testing devices and shop equipment. The Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. No indicators of impairment were identified at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Goodwill Annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred, the Company performs an impairment test on goodwill. The Company performs a quantitative analysis that tests for impairment. The second step, if necessary, measures the impairment. The Company performs the annual analysis on December 31 of each fiscal year. The Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Earnings Per Unit For purposes of calculating basic earnings per unit, units issued are considered outstanding on the effective date of issuance. Diluted earnings per unit are calculated by including dilutive potential equity units in the denominator. There were no dilutive equity units for the years ending December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 . Income Taxes The Company is taxed as a limited liability company under the Internal Revenue Code. The income of the Company flows through to the members to be taxed at the member level rather than the corporate level. Accordingly, the Company has no tax liability. Management has evaluated the Company’s tax positions under the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes and concluded that the Company had taken no uncertain tax positions that require adjustment to the financial statements to comply with the provisions of this guidance. Generally, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by the U.S. federal, state or local authorities for the years before 2014. Environmental Liabilities The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws require the Company to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at its locations. Accordingly, the Company has adopted policies, practices and procedures in the areas of pollution control, occupational health and the production, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability which could result from such events. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Operating Segment The Company uses the “management approach” for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the “management approach” model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of a single operating segment. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 requires 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. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company has completed a comparison of the current revenue recognition policies to the ASU 2014-09 requirements for each of the Company’s major revenue categories. Results indicate that the guidance will not materially change the amount or timing of revenues recognized by the Company. The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 using the retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. The Company expects to have enhanced disclosures but does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)” (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2107-04 simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. It eliminates the two-step process of assessing goodwill impairment and replaces it with one step which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. Risks and Uncertainties The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it will experience during volatile market conditions, which can have a severe impact on operations. The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol and distiller grains to customers primarily located in the United States. Corn for the production process is supplied to the plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, ethanol sales averaged approximately 79% of total revenues, while approximately 17% of revenues were generated from the sale of distiller grains and 4% of revenues were generated from the sale of corn oil. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, corn costs averaged approximately 71% of cost of goods sold. The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by the prices at which it sells ethanol and the net expense of corn. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, weather, government policies and programs, and unleaded gasoline and the petroleum markets. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol. The Company's largest cost of production is corn. The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, weather, and government policies and programs. The Company's risk management program is used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities.

Inventory

Inventory	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory [Abstract]
Inventory	INVENTORY Inventory consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Raw materials $ 2,466,493 $ 3,217,822 Finished goods 1,193,552 1,124,660 Work in process 516,362 593,197 Parts inventory 1,349,687 1,276,940 $ 5,526,094 $ 6,212,619

Investments

Investments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 September 30, 2017, 2016 and 2015 audited results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,206,000 and $1,283,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Dakota Ethanol has a 6% 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, 2017, 2016 and 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $0 and $308,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. During 2017, Dakota Ethanol determined an other than temporary decline in value had occurred and wrote off the remaining $308,000 balance of the investment as it was considered impaired and worthless. This charge in included in the equity in net income of investments on the consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2017. Dakota Ethanol has a 10% investment interest in Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC (LT), a partnership to construct and operate 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 December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 unaudited results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $327,000 and $460,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 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 December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 audited results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $7,151,000 and $9,108,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 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 December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $33,000 and $33,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Lake Area Corn Processors has an 11% investment interest in Ring-neck Energy & Feed, LLC (REF), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in South Dakota. The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for REF is based on REF’s December 31, 2017 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $10,023,000 as of December 31, 2017 . 2017 is the initial year for the investment in REF and the ethanol plant is currently under construction. The carrying amount of the investment exceeds the underlying equity in net assets by approximately $619,000 . The excess will be amortized over 10 years when the plant becomes operational. The amortization will be recorded in equity in net income of investments. Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company's investments in RPMG, PGVP, LT, GH, GEM and REF are as follows: Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 Current assets $ 212,154,680 $ 178,539,108 $ 157,550,341 Other assets 164,254,183 151,378,628 163,122,840 Current liabilities 131,152,747 140,898,148 115,222,336 Long-term liabilities 54,754,437 49,924,355 37,502,031 Member's equity 190,501,679 139,095,233 167,948,814 Revenue 255,154,945 255,245,069 259,096,005 Gross Profit 33,033,635 42,635,837 35,135,377 Net Income 19,482,340 29,555,855 25,650,869 The following table shows the condensed financial information of Guardian Hankinson; the earnings in which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 Current assets $ 22,771,808 $ 31,337,860 $ 30,957,066 Other assets 117,344,930 133,415,881 144,336,737 Current liabilities 17,619,748 23,822,812 21,819,143 Long-term liabilities 51,352,566 49,856,355 37,502,031 Members' equity 71,144,424 91,074,574 115,972,629 Revenue 239,421,949 237,885,377 240,928,085 Gross Profit 22,456,677 30,731,135 21,352,587 Net Income 17,422,533 25,601,946 19,838,398 The following table shows the condensed financial information of Ring-neck Energy & Feed; the investment in which represents greater than 10% of the Company's assets as of December 31, 2017 . Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 Current assets $ 50,000,088 Other assets 42,640,650 Current liabilities 4,716,781 Long-term liabilities 3,230,871 Members' equity 84,693,086 Revenue — Gross Profit — Net Income (253,522 ) The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $1,742,000 , $2,561,000 and $1,984,000 from GH for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 respectively. The Company recorded equity in net (loss) of approximately ($123,000) from REF for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recorded equity in net income (loss) of approximately $(160,000) , $267,000 and $212,000 from our other investments for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 respectively. The Company has undistributed net earnings in investees of approximately $627,000 and $680,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Revolving Operating Note

Revolving Operating Note	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Short Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Short Term Note Payable	REVOLVING OPERATING NOTE On November 1, 2016, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note with Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the 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 4.35% at December 31, 2017 . There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2019. On December 31, 2017 , Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and approximately $2,047,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

Long Term Notes Payable

Long Term Notes Payable	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Long Term Notes Payable	LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE On November 11, 2014, Dakota Ethanol executed a reducing 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 4.60% at December 31, 2017 . The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. On December 31, 2017 , Dakota Ethanol had $1,000 outstanding and $10,499,000 available to be drawn on the note. On August 1, 2017, Dakota Ethanol executed a term note from FCSA in the amount of $8,000,000 . Dakota Ethanol agreed to make monthly interest payments starting September 1, 2017 and annual principal payments of $1,000,000 starting on August 1, 2018. The notes matures on August 1, 2025. 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 4.60% at December 31, 2017 . On December 31, 2017 , Dakota Ethanol had $8,000,000 outstanding on the note. As part of the note payable agreement, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits, minimum debt service coverage ratios, net worth and working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The balances of the notes payable are as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016* Note Payable - FCSA $ 8,001,000 $ 1,000 Less unamortized debt issuance costs (29,056 ) — 7,971,944 1,000 Less current portion (1,000,000 ) — $ 6,971,944 $ 1,000 *Derived from audited financial statements Principal maturities for the next five years are estimated as follows: Years Ending December 31, Principal 2018 $ 1,000,000 2019 1,000,000 2020 1,000,000 2021 1,000,000 2022 1,000,000 thereafter 3,001,000

Employee Benefit Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS Dakota Ethanol maintains a 401(k) plan for the employees who meet the eligibility requirements set forth in the plan documents. Dakota Ethanol matches a percentage of the employees' contributed earnings. Employer contributions to the plan totaled approximately $104,000 , $103,000 and $103,000 for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Measurements [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 December 31, 2017 and 2016 , 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 December 31, 2017 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 119,825 $ 119,825 $ — $ — forward contracts 3,856 — 3,856 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (1,363 ) $ (1,363 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (410,785 ) — (410,785 ) — December 31, 2016 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 246,900 $ 246,900 $ — $ — forward contracts 6,491 — 6,491 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (12,575 ) $ (12,575 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (827,786 ) — (827,786 ) — During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities. Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were not significant at December 31, 2017 and 2016 . Disclosure requirements for fair value of financial instruments require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non recurring basis are discussed above. The methodologies for other financial assets and financial liabilities are discussed below. The Company believes the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents (level 1), accounts receivable (level 2), other receivables (level 2), accounts payable and accruals (level 2) and short-term debt (level 3) approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments. The carrying amount of long-term obligations (level 3) at December 31, 2017 of $8,001,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $8,001,000 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt. The carrying amount of long-term obligations at December 31, 2016 of $1,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $1,000 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt.

Commitments, Contingencies and

Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements [Abstract]
Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements	COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES AND AGREEMENTS Dakota Ethanol has entered into contracts and agreements regarding the operation of the ethanol plant as follows: Natural Gas - The agreement provides Dakota Ethanol with a fixed transportation rate for natural gas for a ten -year term through August 2021, and is renewable annually thereafter. The agreement does not require minimum purchases of natural gas during their initial term. Electricity - The agreement provides Dakota Ethanol with electric service for a term of one year . The contract automatically renews unless prior notice of cancellation is given. The agreement sets rates for energy usage based on market rates and requires a minimum purchase of electricity each month during the term of the agreement. Expenses related to the agreement for the purchase of electricity and natural gas were approximately $7,259,000 , $6,510,000 , and $7,013,000 , for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Minimum annual payments during the term of the electricity agreement are as follows: Years Ending December 31, Amount 2018 $584,280 Ethanol Fuel Marketing Agreement - Dakota Ethanol has an agreement with RPMG (a related party, see note 10), a joint venture of ethanol producers, for the sale, marketing, billing and receipt of payment and other administrative services for all ethanol produced by the plant. The agreement continues indefinitely unless terminated under terms set forth in the agreement. Distillers Grain Marketing Agreement - Dakota Ethanol has an agreement with RPMG (a related party, see note 10), for the marketing of all distillers dried grains produced by the plant. The agreement expires on July 15, 2018 and is automatically renewed for successive one year terms unless terminated 180 days prior to expiration. Corn Oil Marketing Agreement - Dakota Ethanol has an agreement with RPMG (a related party, see note 10), for the marketing of all corn oil produced by the plant. The agreement expires on August 11, 2018 and is automatically renewed for successive one year terms unless terminated 180 days prior to expiration. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, Dakota Ethanol received an incentive payment from the State of South Dakota to produce ethanol. In accordance with the terms of this arrangement, revenue is recorded based on gallons of ethanol sold. Incentive revenue of $0 , $378,307 and $416,667 , was recorded for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 , respectively. Dakota Ethanol reached the lifetime maximum under the program during 2016 and will no longer receive funds under the program. From time to time in the normal course of business, the Company can be subject to litigation based on its operations. There is no current litigation nor any litigation that is considered probable at this time.

Related Party Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol, dried distillers grains, and corn oil inventories produced by Dakota Ethanol. The marketing fees are included in net revenues. Revenues and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows: Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues ethanol $ 67,186,350 $ 69,398,350 $ 67,581,517 Revenues distillers grains 4,225,707 5,254,492 6,205,391 Revenues corn oil 3,088,510 2,860,912 2,979,581 Marketing fees ethanol 249,645 187,431 168,796 Marketing fees distillers grains 31,993 32,979 35,289 Marketing fees corn oil 19,481 18,239 29,724 Accounts receivable balance at period end 2,749,502 3,695,561 939,705 The Company purchased corn and services from members of its Board of Directors that farm and operate local businesses. The Company also purchased ingredients from RPMG. Purchases from these related parties during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled approximately $1,099,000 , $1,890,000 and $1,694,000 , respectively. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the amount we owed to related parties was approximately $45,000 and $40,000 , respectively.

TIF Bond Guarantee

TIF Bond Guarantee	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
TIF Bond Guarantee [Abstract]
TIF Bond Guarantee	TIF BOND GUARANTEE During December 2003, Dakota Ethanol entered into an agreement to guarantee a bond issued by Lake County, South Dakota. The bond issue was in conjunction with the refunding of the tax increment financing (TIF) bond issued by Lake County in 2001, of which Dakota Ethanol was the recipient of the proceeds. During 2003, Lake County became aware that the taxes collected based on the incremental tax would not be sufficient to cover the debt service of the 2001 bond issue. Based on the aforementioned deficiency and changes in interest rate during December of 2003, Lake County refunded the 2001 bond issue replacing it with two separate bonds. A tax-exempt bond in the amount of $824,599 and a taxable bond in the amount of $1,323,024 were issued. As a part of the refunding, Dakota Ethanol entered into the agreement to guarantee the taxable bond issue. The taxes levied on Dakota Ethanol's property will first go towards the semiannual debt service of the tax-exempt bonds and any remaining taxes will be used for the debt service of the taxable bonds. Dakota Ethanol guarantees any shortfall in debt service for the taxable bonds. The guarantee expires in December 2018. The maximum amount of estimated future payments on the taxable bond debt service is $152,217 as of December 31, 2017 . The carrying amount of the guarantee liability on Dakota Ethanol's balance sheet at December 31, 2017 is $9,555 , which represents the estimated shortfall between the taxable bond amount and the amount of taxes estimated to be collected on Dakota Ethanol's property. Estimated maturities of the guarantee are as follows: Years Ending December 31, Amount 2018 $ 9,555 Dakota Ethanol has no recourse to third parties or collateral held by third parties related to the guarantee.

Captive Insurance

Captive Insurance	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Captive Insurance [Abstract]
Captive Insurance	CAPTIVE INSURANCE The Company participates, along with other plants in the industry, in a group captive insurance company (Captive). The Captive insures losses related to workman's compensation, commercial property and general liability. The Captive reinsures catastrophic losses for all participants, including the Company, in excess of predetermined amounts. The Company's premiums are accrued by a charge to income for the period to which the premium relates and is remitted by the Company's insurer to the captive reinsurer. These premiums are structured such that the Company has made a prepaid collateral deposit estimated for losses related to the above coverage. The Captive insurer has estimated and collected an amount in excess of the estimated losses but less than the catastrophic loss limit insured by the Captive. The Company cannot be assessed over the amount in the collateral fund.

Insurance Claims (Notes)

Insurance Claims (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]
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 $3,436,727 , consisting of $2,818,955 from the property insurance claim and $617,771 from the business interruption claim were paid. The loss on disposal of damaged assets and property insurance proceeds are both recorded in operating expenses in the statements of operations.

Property Plant and Equipment Co

Property Plant and Equipment Commitments (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	COMMITMENTS Dakota Ethanol has committed to a contract for the design and construction of a new regenerative thermal oxidizer (RTO) to replace its existing RTO. The value of the contract is approximately $4.6 million . There is approximately $1.7 million remaining as of December 31, 2017 . The project is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2018. The Company will pay for the project with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt currently in place. Dakota Ethanol entered into a design-build agreement with Nelson Engineering Co. for the design and construction of the plant expansion to increase its production capacity to approximately 90 million gallons of ethanol per year. The cost of the expansion is expected to be approximately $33 million . The Company has commenced engineering work with the contractor and has secured financing with its lender for the expansion project. The Company anticipates that the expansion will be complete during the Company's second quarter of 2019. The Company will pay for the project with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt as amended on February 6, 2018.

Quarterly Financial Reporting

Quarterly Financial Reporting	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Reporting	QUARTERLY FINANCIAL REPORTING (UNAUDITED) Summary quarterly results are as follows: First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Year ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 22,713,628 $ 21,612,598 $ 19,479,798 $ 21,015,764 Gross profit 2,220,455 2,015,355 1,968,680 2,363,353 Income from operations 1,213,883 1,151,750 1,134,221 1,350,698 Net income 1,610,424 1,314,299 1,815,347 1,645,013 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.07 Year ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 21,623,796 $ 21,944,230 $ 20,983,806 $ 24,260,718 Gross profit 1,254,612 2,839,644 2,806,148 5,814,285 Income from operations 319,378 1,979,265 1,927,830 4,846,129 Net income 659,621 2,529,919 2,610,395 5,605,273 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.02 0.09 0.09 0.19 Year ended December 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 20,715,145 $ 23,680,338 $ 22,038,423 $ 22,564,041 Gross profit 709,131 2,860,830 2,221,102 1,761,114 Income (loss) from operations (367,802 ) 2,816,205 1,448,138 1,827,847 Net income 238,949 4,572,389 1,850,884 1,991,308 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.01 0.15 0.06 0.07

Subsequent Event Subsequent Eve

Subsequent Event Subsequent Event (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events [Text Block]	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") with FCSA. Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, Dakota Ethanol increased the total credit availability to $40 million . Further, the maturity date of this increased credit availability under the Credit Agreement was extended to January 1, 2026. Until February 1, 2023, interest will accrue pursuant to the Credit Agreement on the increased credit availability at the one month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 3.25% per year. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. During February 2018, the Company declared a distribution to its members of $2,962,000 , or $0.10 per capital unit, to unit holders of record as of January 1, 2018.

Accounting Policies

Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
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 distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.
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 distillers grains are included in cost of revenues.
Inventory Valuation	Inventory Valuation Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist of demand accounts and other accounts with original maturities of three months or less that provide withdrawal privileges.
Receivables and Credit Policies	Receivables and Credit Policies Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices. The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The valuation allowance was $2,131 and $51,791 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively.
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 our 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 us to pass along increased corn costs to our 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 December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 2.5 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.30 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 14% of the projected annual plant corn usage. The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 40,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of $3.10 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 3% 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. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 38,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $101 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 26% of the projected annual plant production. The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered. At December 31, 2017 , the Company is committed to selling approximately 770,000 pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.24 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 7% of the projected annual plant production. The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of December 31, 2017 . The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for ethanol, corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments. As part of our trading activity, The Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments. To reduce that risk, the Company generally takes positions using forward and futures contracts and options. Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were as follows: Balance Sheet Classification December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Forward contracts in gain position $ 3,856 $ 6,491 Futures contracts in gain position 119,825 246,900 Futures contracts in loss position (1,363 ) (12,575 ) Total forward and futures contracts 122,318 240,816 Cash held by broker 740,522 816,649 Current Assets $ 862,840 $ 1,057,465 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (410,785 ) $ (827,786 ) 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 Years Ended December 31, Classification 2017 2016 2015 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 608,250 $ 1,874,523 $ 1,325,265 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (1,423,330 ) (1,707,414 ) (994,242 )
Investments	Investments The Company has investment interests in six companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are flow-through entities. Per ASC 323-30-S99-1, they are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account. Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data.
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 net realizable value accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.
Concentrations of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk The Company’s cash balances are maintained in bank depositories and regularly exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in connection with these balances.
Property and Equipment	Property and Equipment Property and equipment is stated at cost. Significant additions and betterments are capitalized, while expenditures for maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged to operations when incurred. Depreciation on assets placed in service is computed using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives as follows: Minimum Maximum Land improvements 20 years 40 years Equipment 5 years 20 years Buildings 15 years 40 years Equipment relates to two general categories: mechanical equipment and administrative and maintenance equipment. Mechanical equipment generally relates to equipment for handling inventories and the production of ethanol and related products, with useful lives of 15 to 20 years, including boilers, cooling towers, grain bins, centrifuges, conveyors, fermentation tanks, pumps and drying equipment. Administrative and maintenance equipment is equipment with useful lives of 5 to 15 years, including vehicles, computer systems, security equipment, testing devices and shop equipment. The Company reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset group. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. No indicators of impairment were identified at December 31, 2017 and 2016 .
Goodwill	Goodwill Annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred, the Company performs an impairment test on goodwill. The Company performs a quantitative analysis that tests for impairment. The second step, if necessary, measures the impairment. The Company performs the annual analysis on December 31 of each fiscal year. The Company determined that there was no impairment of goodwill at December 31, 2017 and 2016 .
Earnings Per Unit	Earnings Per Unit For purposes of calculating basic earnings per unit, units issued are considered outstanding on the effective date of issuance. Diluted earnings per unit are calculated by including dilutive potential equity units in the denominator. There were no dilutive equity units for the years ending December 31, 2017 , 2016 , and 2015 .
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The Company is taxed as a limited liability company under the Internal Revenue Code. The income of the Company flows through to the members to be taxed at the member level rather than the corporate level. Accordingly, the Company has no tax liability. Management has evaluated the Company’s tax positions under the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued guidance on accounting for uncertainty in income taxes and concluded that the Company had taken no uncertain tax positions that require adjustment to the financial statements to comply with the provisions of this guidance. Generally, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examinations by the U.S. federal, state or local authorities for the years before 2014.
Environmental Liabilities	Environmental Liabilities The Company’s operations are subject to environmental laws and regulations adopted by various governmental authorities in the jurisdictions in which it operates. These laws require the Company to investigate and remediate the effects of the release or disposal of materials at its locations. Accordingly, the Company has adopted policies, practices and procedures in the areas of pollution control, occupational health and the production, handling, storage and use of hazardous materials to prevent material environmental or other damage, and to limit the financial liability which could result from such events. Environmental liabilities are recorded when the Company’s liability is probable and the costs can be reasonably estimated.
Operating Segment	Operating Segment The Company uses the “management approach” for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the “management approach” model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of a single operating segment.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, " Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 requires 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. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) when it becomes effective and permits the use of either a full retrospective or retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. The updated standard becomes effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. The Company has completed a comparison of the current revenue recognition policies to the ASU 2014-09 requirements for each of the Company’s major revenue categories. Results indicate that the guidance will not materially change the amount or timing of revenues recognized by the Company. The Company will adopt ASU 2014-09 using the retrospective with cumulative effect transition method. The Company expects to have enhanced disclosures but does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)” (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements. In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)” (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2107-04 simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. It eliminates the two-step process of assessing goodwill impairment and replaces it with one step which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.
Derivatives, Reporting of Derivative Activity	Risks and Uncertainties The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it will experience during volatile market conditions, which can have a severe impact on operations. The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol and distiller grains to customers primarily located in the United States. Corn for the production process is supplied to the plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, ethanol sales averaged approximately 79% of total revenues, while approximately 17% of revenues were generated from the sale of distiller grains and 4% of revenues were generated from the sale of corn oil. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, corn costs averaged approximately 71% of cost of goods sold. The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by the prices at which it sells ethanol and the net expense of corn. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, weather, government policies and programs, and unleaded gasoline and the petroleum markets. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol. The Company's largest cost of production is corn. The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, weather, and government policies and programs. The Company's risk management program is used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities.

Summary of Significant Accoun26

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Classification December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Forward contracts in gain position $ 3,856 $ 6,491 Futures contracts in gain position 119,825 246,900 Futures contracts in loss position (1,363 ) (12,575 ) Total forward and futures contracts 122,318 240,816 Cash held by broker 740,522 816,649 Current Assets $ 862,840 $ 1,057,465 Forward contracts in loss position (Current Liabilities) $ (410,785 ) $ (827,786 )
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts	Statement of Operations Years Ended December 31, Classification 2017 2016 2015 Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts: Futures contracts Cost of Revenues $ 608,250 $ 1,874,523 $ 1,325,265 Forward contracts Cost of Revenues (1,423,330 ) (1,707,414 ) (994,242 )
Property, Plant and Equipment	Minimum Maximum Land improvements 20 years 40 years Equipment 5 years 20 years Buildings 15 years 40 years

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Inventory [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory	Inventory consisted of the following as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 : December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Raw materials $ 2,466,493 $ 3,217,822 Finished goods 1,193,552 1,124,660 Work in process 516,362 593,197 Parts inventory 1,349,687 1,276,940 $ 5,526,094 $ 6,212,619

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Investments [Abstract]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments	Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company's investments in RPMG, PGVP, LT, GH, GEM and REF are as follows: Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 Current assets $ 212,154,680 $ 178,539,108 $ 157,550,341 Other assets 164,254,183 151,378,628 163,122,840 Current liabilities 131,152,747 140,898,148 115,222,336 Long-term liabilities 54,754,437 49,924,355 37,502,031 Member's equity 190,501,679 139,095,233 167,948,814 Revenue 255,154,945 255,245,069 259,096,005 Gross Profit 33,033,635 42,635,837 35,135,377 Net Income 19,482,340 29,555,855 25,650,869 The following table shows the condensed financial information of Guardian Hankinson; the earnings in which represents greater than 10% of the Company's net income for the year ended December 31, 2017 . Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 12/31/2016 12/31/2015 Current assets $ 22,771,808 $ 31,337,860 $ 30,957,066 Other assets 117,344,930 133,415,881 144,336,737 Current liabilities 17,619,748 23,822,812 21,819,143 Long-term liabilities 51,352,566 49,856,355 37,502,031 Members' equity 71,144,424 91,074,574 115,972,629 Revenue 239,421,949 237,885,377 240,928,085 Gross Profit 22,456,677 30,731,135 21,352,587 Net Income 17,422,533 25,601,946 19,838,398 The following table shows the condensed financial information of Ring-neck Energy & Feed; the investment in which represents greater than 10% of the Company's assets as of December 31, 2017 . Balance Sheet 12/31/2017 Current assets $ 50,000,088 Other assets 42,640,650 Current liabilities 4,716,781 Long-term liabilities 3,230,871 Members' equity 84,693,086 Revenue — Gross Profit — Net Income (253,522 ) The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $1,742,000 , $2,561,000 and $1,984,000 from GH for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 respectively. The Company recorded equity in net (loss) of approximately ($123,000) from REF for the year ended December 31, 2017. The Company recorded equity in net income (loss) of approximately $(160,000) , $267,000 and $212,000 from our other investments for the years ended December 31, 2017 , 2016 and 2015 respectively. The Company has undistributed net earnings in investees of approximately $627,000 and $680,000 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively.

Long Term Notes Payable (Tables

Long Term Notes Payable (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt	The balances of the notes payable are as follows: December 31, 2017 December 31, 2016* Note Payable - FCSA $ 8,001,000 $ 1,000 Less unamortized debt issuance costs (29,056 ) — 7,971,944 1,000 Less current portion (1,000,000 ) — $ 6,971,944 $ 1,000 *Derived from audited financial statements
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt	Principal maturities for the next five years are estimated as follows: Years Ending December 31, Principal 2018 $ 1,000,000 2019 1,000,000 2020 1,000,000 2021 1,000,000 2022 1,000,000 thereafter 3,001,000

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Measurements [Abstract]
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping	Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2017 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 119,825 $ 119,825 $ — $ — forward contracts 3,856 — 3,856 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (1,363 ) $ (1,363 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (410,785 ) — (410,785 ) — December 31, 2016 Assets: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ 246,900 $ 246,900 $ — $ — forward contracts 6,491 — 6,491 — Liabilities: Derivative financial instruments, futures contracts $ (12,575 ) $ (12,575 ) $ — $ — forward contracts (827,786 ) — (827,786 ) —

Commitments, Contingencies an31

Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements [Abstract]
Contractual Obligation, Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule	Years Ending December 31, Amount 2018 $584,280

Related Party Transactions (Tab

Related Party Transactions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Schedule of Related Party Transactions	Years Ended December 31, 2017 2016 2015 Revenues ethanol $ 67,186,350 $ 69,398,350 $ 67,581,517 Revenues distillers grains 4,225,707 5,254,492 6,205,391 Revenues corn oil 3,088,510 2,860,912 2,979,581 Marketing fees ethanol 249,645 187,431 168,796 Marketing fees distillers grains 31,993 32,979 35,289 Marketing fees corn oil 19,481 18,239 29,724 Accounts receivable balance at period end 2,749,502 3,695,561 939,705

TIF Bond Guarantee (Tables)

TIF Bond Guarantee (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
TIF Bond Guarantee [Abstract]
Schedule of Maturities of Guarantee	Years Ending December 31, Amount 2018 $ 9,555

Quarterly Financial Reporting (

Quarterly Financial Reporting (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information	First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Year ended December 31, 2017 Total revenues $ 22,713,628 $ 21,612,598 $ 19,479,798 $ 21,015,764 Gross profit 2,220,455 2,015,355 1,968,680 2,363,353 Income from operations 1,213,883 1,151,750 1,134,221 1,350,698 Net income 1,610,424 1,314,299 1,815,347 1,645,013 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.07 Year ended December 31, 2016 Total revenues $ 21,623,796 $ 21,944,230 $ 20,983,806 $ 24,260,718 Gross profit 1,254,612 2,839,644 2,806,148 5,814,285 Income from operations 319,378 1,979,265 1,927,830 4,846,129 Net income 659,621 2,529,919 2,610,395 5,605,273 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.02 0.09 0.09 0.19 Year ended December 31, 2015 Total revenues $ 20,715,145 $ 23,680,338 $ 22,038,423 $ 22,564,041 Gross profit 709,131 2,860,830 2,221,102 1,761,114 Income (loss) from operations (367,802 ) 2,816,205 1,448,138 1,827,847 Net income 238,949 4,572,389 1,850,884 1,991,308 Basic and diluted earnings per unit 0.01 0.15 0.06 0.07

Nature of Operations Nature of

Nature of Operations Nature of Operations (Details) gal in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017gal
Product Information [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	6
Ethanol [Member] | Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Annual production capacity	40

Summary of Significant Accoun36

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Receivables (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Trade Receivable, Unpaid Balance, Interest Rate	1.50%
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable	$ 2,131	$ 51,791

Derivative Instruments - Balanc

Derivative Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)buMMBTUT$ / MMBTU$ / usd_per_lb$ / bu$ / T	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Other Receivables from Broker-Dealers and Clearing Organizations	$ 740,522	$ 816,649
Derivative financial instruments	$ 862,840	1,057,465
Corn [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | bu	2,500,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / bu	3.30
Product usage, percentage	14.00%
Natural Gas [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | MMBTU	40,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / MMBTU	3.10
Product usage, percentage	3.00%
Distillers Grain [Domain]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | T	38,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / T	101
Product usage, percentage	26.00%
Distillers Corn Oil [Domain]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | bu	770,000
Derivative, Average Price Per Unit | $ / usd_per_lb	0.24
Product usage, percentage	7.00%
Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	$ 122,318	240,816
Derivative financial instruments	862,840	1,057,465
Current Assets [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	3,856	6,491
Current Assets [Member] | Future [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	119,825	246,900
Derivative Liabilities, Current	1,363	(12,575)
Current Liabilities [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Liabilities, Current	$ (410,785)	$ (827,786)

Derivative Instruments - Income

Derivative Instruments - Income Statement (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Cost of Sales [Member] - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Future [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	$ 608,250	$ 1,874,523	$ 1,325,265
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	$ (1,423,330)	$ (1,707,414)	$ (994,242)

Summary Investments (Details)

Summary Investments (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	6

Property and Equipment (Details

Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Land Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Land Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	40 years
Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	5 years
Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	20 years
Building [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	15 years
Building [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	40 years
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	15
Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	20
Other Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	5
Other Machinery and Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Estimated Useful Lives	15

Summary of Significant Accoun41

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Risks and Uncertainties (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member] | Ethanol [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	79.00%
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member] | Distillers Grain [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	17.00%
Sales Revenue, Segment [Member] | Corn Oil [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	4.00%
Cost of Goods, Segment [Member] | Corn [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	71.00%

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Inventory [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$ 2,466,493	$ 3,217,822
Finished Goods	1,193,552	1,124,660
Work in Process	516,362	593,197
Parts Inventory	1,349,687	1,276,940
Inventory	$ 5,526,094	$ 6,212,619

Investments (Details)

Investments (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 18,739,259	$ 11,192,032
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	212,154,680	178,539,108	$ 157,550,341
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Assets	164,254,183	151,378,628	163,122,840
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	131,152,747	140,898,148	115,222,336
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Long-term Liabilities	54,754,437	49,924,355	37,502,031
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	190,501,679	139,095,233	167,948,814
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	255,154,945	255,245,069	259,096,005
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	33,033,635	42,635,837	35,135,377
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	19,482,340	29,555,855	25,650,869
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ 1,459,806	2,293,928	2,195,535
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%
Investments	$ 1,206,000	1,283,000
Prairie Gold Venture Partnership, LLC (PGVP) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	6.00%
Investments	$ 0	308,000
Equity Method Investment, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 308,000
Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Investments	$ 327,000	460,000
Guardian Hankinson, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	10.00%
Investments	$ 7,151,000	9,108,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	22,771,808	31,337,860	30,957,066
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Assets	117,344,930	133,415,881	144,336,737
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	17,619,748	23,822,812	21,819,143
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Long-term Liabilities	51,352,566	49,856,355	37,502,031
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	71,144,424	91,074,574	115,972,629
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	239,421,949	237,885,377	240,928,085
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	22,456,677	30,731,135	21,352,587
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	17,422,533	25,601,946	19,838,398
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	1,742,000	2,561,000	1,984,000
Retained Earnings, Undistributed Earnings from Equity Method Investees	627,000	680,000
Other Investments Combined [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	$ (160,000)	267,000	$ 212,000
Guardian Energy Management [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	17.00%
Investments	$ 33,000	$ 33,000
Ring-neck Energy and Feeds [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	11.00%
Investments	$ 10,023,000
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Assets	50,000,088
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Other Assets	42,640,650
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Current Liabilities	4,716,781
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Long-term Liabilities	3,230,871
Equity Method Investment Summarized Financial Information, Equity	84,693,086
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Revenue	0
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Gross Profit (Loss)	0
Equity Method Investment, Summarized Financial Information, Net Income (Loss)	(253,522)
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments	(123,000)
Amortization of Acquisition Costs	$ 619,000
Amortization period for amortization of investment premium	10 years

Revolving Operating Note (Detai

Revolving Operating Note (Details) - Line of Credit [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Farm Credit Services of America [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 10,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate at Period End	4.35%
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	$ 2,047,000
First National Bank of Omaha [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.00%

Long Term Note Payable (Details

Long Term Note Payable (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 01, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross	$ 8,001,000		$ 1,000
Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	(29,056)		0
Long-term Debt	7,971,944		1,000
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	(1,000,000)		0
Notes payable, net of current maturities	6,971,944		$ 1,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 8,000,000
Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment	$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.60%
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	4.60%
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	$ 10,499,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Term Note [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%

Long Term Notes Payable Schedul

Long Term Notes Payable Schedule of Maturities of Long-term debt (Details)	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Twelve Months	$ 1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Two	1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Three	1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Four	1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Five	1,000,000
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal after Year Five	$ 3,001,000

Employee Benefit Plans (Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Contributions by Employer	$ 104,000	$ 103,000	$ 103,000

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 8,001,000	$ 1,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Obligations, Fair Value Disclosure	8,001,000	1,000
Future [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	119,825	246,900
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(1,363)	(12,575)
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	119,825	246,900
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(1,363)	(12,575)
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Future [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	3,856	6,491
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(410,785)	(827,786)
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	3,856	6,491
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	(410,785)	(827,786)
Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Financial Instruments, Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 0	$ 0

Commitments, Contingencies an49

Commitments, Contingencies and Agreements (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Contract for Purchase of Electric Power, Annual Minimum Debt Service Payment Required	$ 584,280
Revenue from Grants	0	$ 378,307	$ 416,667
Cost of Sales [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Utilities Operating Expense, Purchased Power under Long-term Contracts	$ 7,259,000	$ 6,510,000	$ 7,013,000
Natural Gas [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	10 years
Long-term Contract for Purchase of Electric Power [Domain]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Long-term Purchase Commitment, Period	1 year
Distillers Grain [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Marketing Agreement Termination Notice Required	180 days
Marketing Agreement term	1 year
Corn Oil [Member]
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Marketing Agreement Termination Notice Required	180 days
Marketing Agreement term	1 year

Related Party Transactions (Det

Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Due from Related Parties, Current	$ 2,749,502	$ 3,695,561	$ 939,705
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party	$ 1,099,000	1,890,000	1,694,000
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	7.00%
Due to Related Parties	$ 45,000	40,000
Ethanol [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	67,186,350	69,398,350	67,581,517
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	249,645	187,431	168,796
Distillers Grain [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	4,225,707	5,254,492	6,205,391
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	31,993	32,979	35,289
Corn Oil [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue from Related Parties	3,088,510	2,860,912	2,979,581
Marketing Expenses from Transactions with Related Party	$ 19,481	$ 18,239	$ 29,724

TIF Bond Guarantee (Details)

TIF Bond Guarantee (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017	Aug. 01, 2017
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 8,000,000
Payment Guarantee [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maturities of Guarantee in 2018	$ 9,555
Tax-Exempt Bond [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	824,599
Estimated Payments, Total	152,217
Taxable Bond [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	1,323,024
Guarantee Liability [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Debt, Carrying Amount	$ 9,555

Insurance Claims (Details)

Insurance Claims (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Unusual or Infrequent Items, or Both [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Disposals		$ 674,000
Unusual or Infrequent Item, Gain, Gross		3,436,727
Unusual or Infrequent Item, Insurance Proceeds		2,818,955
Business interruption claims recovery	$ 0	$ 0	$ 617,771

Property Plant and Equipment 53

Property Plant and Equipment Commitments (Details) gal in Millions, $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017USD ($)gal	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Other Commitment		$ 4.6
Purchase Commitment, Remaining Minimum Amount Committed		$ 1.7
Ethanol [Member] | Product [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Annual production capacity after expansion | gal	90
Estimated Expansion Costs	$ 33

Quarterly Financial Reporting54

Quarterly Financial Reporting (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Sep. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2015	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Quarterly Financial Data [Abstract]
Revenue, Net	$ 21,015,764	$ 19,479,798	$ 21,612,598	$ 22,713,628	$ 24,260,718	$ 20,983,806	$ 21,944,230	$ 21,623,796	$ 22,564,041	$ 22,038,423	$ 23,680,338	$ 20,715,145
Gross Profit	2,363,353	1,968,680	2,015,355	2,220,455	5,814,285	2,806,148	2,839,644	1,254,612	1,761,114	2,221,102	2,860,830	709,131	$ 8,567,843	$ 12,714,689	$ 7,552,177
Operating Income (Loss)	1,350,698	1,134,221	1,151,750	1,213,883	4,846,129	1,927,830	1,979,265	319,378	1,827,847	1,448,138	2,816,205	(367,802)	4,850,552	9,072,602	5,724,388
Net Income (Loss)	$ 1,645,013	$ 1,815,347	$ 1,314,299	$ 1,610,424	$ 5,605,273	$ 2,610,395	$ 2,529,919	$ 659,621	$ 1,991,308	$ 1,850,884	$ 4,572,389	$ 238,949	$ 6,385,083	$ 11,405,208	$ 8,653,530
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ 0.07	$ 0.06	$ 0.04	$ 0.05	$ 0.19	$ 0.09	$ 0.09	$ 0.02	$ 0.07	$ 0.06	$ 0.15	$ 0.01	$ 0.22	$ 0.39	$ 0.29

Subsequent Event (Details)

Subsequent Event (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 40,000,000
Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Cash Distributions Declared	$ 2,962,000
Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Declared, Per Unit	$ 0.10
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$ 7,500,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.50%
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	3.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%