Exhibit 99.1
From the CEO’s Desk
Hello again! Spring has finally sprung again in Northwest Kansas and many of you are busily out preparing for and planting next fall’s corn and milo crops. Similarly, Western Plains Energy continues to busily working to continually improve operations. Projects, projects, projects. Beginning with the Enogen grain trials and commercialization work with Syngenta nearly three years ago, WPE has been steadily working to improve both current processes as well as trying out new technologies for the ethanol industry. May is the month that many of these new ideas come on-line.
We have re-routed our CO2 scrubber to send the water to distillation instead of straight back to our process water. By doing so, we were able to capture ethanol we were making and losing to the atmosphere. This minor change is working well. Capturing these lost gallons has resulted in a lower cost per gallon of ethanol production.
Chemical costs are another area of continual focus within the industry. WPE is no different in this regard. As is the case with many others in the ethanol industry, WPE has begun utilizing anhydrous ammonia in fermentation instead of urea. This change has taken longer to implement than we had originally anticipated. The fermentation process is very sensitive to pH. The introduction of the anhydrous ammonia can change pH much more rapidly than usual and that affects the yeast reaction. Although we have had some challenges in getting the system totally on-line, we have ceased introduction on anhydrous ammonia in the cook process and reduced the amount of Sulphuric acid as well. As a result, chemical costs are down significantly.
This winter we began construction of a fifth fermenter. In response to the new construction, I am often asked “is WPE expanding?” Technically, the answer to that question is no. The purpose of the fermenter is to extend fermentation time and increase ethanol yield per bushel. As many of you know, the Enogen grain we have been utilizing allows us to have much higher starch levels in our fermenters than a traditional ethanol facility. As a result, there is more work for the yeast to do. The easiest way to think of the process is that the yeast have a bigger meal to consume and by adding an additional fermenter, we are giving them more time to finish it.
Along with my responsibilities at WPE, I continue to represent you and the ethanol industry at both the state and national level. I am truly blessed to have such a fine staff and workforce at WPE. The challenges for the industry remain pressing. I will continue to fight these battles as the chairman of the Kansas Association of Ethanol Processors and as a board member of Growth Energy, an ethanol industry advocacy group. Without a capable group at WPE, I would not be able to spend the time required to effectively perform these roles. This summer, we anticipate that the EPA will rule on our petition to increase fuel blends to E15. In addition to promoting higher blends, Growth Energy continues to fight back against our critics. If you have not seen the national television advertisements airing on Fox News, CNN, HLN, and MSNBC you can go to www.growthenergy.org and view them. You can also help by signing up to be
a member of Growth Force at the same web site. Eventually, our elected officials need to execute a true energy policy. Ethanol is the ONLY true answer. While wind and solar are great energy sources, neither impact our dependence on foreign oil. The US has not produced electricity in any measurable amount from crude oil in decades. Oil is used for transportation fuel, and so long as we remain dependent upon it to power our vehicles, we will remain dependent upon foreign oil.
As always, I thank you for the opportunity to work for you. Even with all of the challenges facing our industry, it is a pleasure to get up and go to work everyday. Rest assured, we will continue to work hard for you in the future. Be safe and enjoy the rest of the spring and have a great summer!
Sincerely,
/s/ Steven R. McNinch |
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Steven R. McNinch |
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CEO Western Plains Energy, L.L.C. |
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From the Financial Corner
We have just completed our second quarter for fiscal 2010. Below you will find our unaudited income statement comparing the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2010 and 2009. Although we posted a modest increase in net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, thanks to a strong first quarter in fiscal 2010, we recognized nearly a $7.5 million year to date net income in fiscal 2010, as compared to a net loss of approximately $400,000 for fiscal 2009. You will also find our balance sheet comparing our financial position at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the end of our 2009 fiscal year. Although Member’s Equity declined modestly, primarily as a result of distributions paid to our Members, our balance sheet remains financially sound and our lack of debt has benefited our ability to weather the financial challenges the ethanol industry has experienced recently.
As Steve McNinch has stated, we continue to look for ways to improve our plant and all the current projects are proceeding on schedule. I would like to remind you all to visit our website at westernplainsenergy.biz, where you can click on any of several links to access stock, proxy, SEC financial statement filings, and even the local weather. As always, if you have any questions that I can help with, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Curt Sheldon
CAO, Western Plains Energy
WESTERN PLAINS ENERGY, L.L.C.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2010 AND 2009
(UNAUDITED)
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| THREE MONTHS ENDED |
| SIX MONTHS ENDED |
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| MARCH 31, |
| MARCH 31, |
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| 2010 |
| 2009 |
| 2010 |
| 2009 |
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REVENUE |
| $ | 23,156,723 |
| $ | 22,545,319 |
| 49,825,922 |
| $ | 47,045,707 |
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COST OF SALES |
| 19,298,620 |
| 19,129,066 |
| 37,825,356 |
| 43,101,386 |
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GROSS PROFIT |
| 3,858,103 |
| 3,416,253 |
| 12,000,566 |
| 3,944,321 |
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EXPENSES |
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General and administrative expenses |
| 689,718 |
| 603,303 |
| 1,341,246 |
| 1,179,371 |
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Depreciation expense |
| 1,646,773 |
| 1,593,886 |
| 3,273,686 |
| 3,192,999 |
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Amortization expense |
| 10,110 |
| 10,110 |
| 20,220 |
| 20,220 |
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Total expenses |
| 2,346,601 |
| 2,207,299 |
| 4,635,152 |
| 4,392,590 |
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Income from operations |
| 1,511,502 |
| 1,208,954 |
| 7,365,414 |
| (448,269 | ) | ||||
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Other income (expense) |
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Interest expense |
| — |
| (4,932 | ) | — |
| (9,973 | ) | ||||
Interest from Industrial Development Revenue Bonds |
| 280,000 |
| 280,000 |
| 560,000 |
| 560,000 |
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Plant lease expense |
| (280,000 | ) | (280,000 | ) | (560,000 | ) | (560,000 | ) | ||||
Bioenergy incentive program income |
| — |
| — |
| 148,999 |
| — |
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Interest income |
| 16,438 |
| 16,688 |
| 32,762 |
| 43,255 |
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Other income (expense) |
| (87,177 | ) | 6,689 |
| (87,177 | ) | 6,689 |
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Total other income (expense) |
| (70,739 | ) | 18,445 |
| 94,584 |
| 39,971 |
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NET INCOME (LOSS) |
| $ | 1,440,763 |
| $ | 1,227,399 |
| $ | 7,459,998 |
| $ | (408,298 | ) |
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Other comprehensive income |
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Unrealized gains (loss) on grain hedging contracts |
| (208,720 | ) | 168,795 |
| (390,808 | ) | 826,053 |
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COMPREHENSIVE INCOME |
| 1,232,043 |
| 1,396,194 |
| 7,069,190 |
| 417,755 |
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NET INCOME (LOSS) PER UNIT |
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BASIC AND DILUTED |
| $ | 50.70 |
| $ | 43.19 |
| $ | 262.49 |
| $ | (14.37 | ) |
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WEIGHTED AVERAGE UNITS OUTSTANDING |
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BASIC AND DILUTED |
| 28,420 |
| 28,420 |
| 28,420 |
| 28,420 |
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WESTERN PLAINS ENERGY, L.L.C.
BALANCE SHEETS
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| March 31, 2010 |
| SEPTEMBER 30,2009 |
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| (Unaudited) |
| (Audited) |
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ASSETS |
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CURRENT ASSETS |
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Cash |
| $ | 1,801,822 |
| 8,352,894 |
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Accounts receivable |
| 5,220,938 |
| 4,852,593 |
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Accounts receivable - government subsidies |
| — |
| 700,000 |
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Inventory |
| 5,971,543 |
| 2,899,434 |
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Prepaid expense |
| 431,730 |
| 436,674 |
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Commodities trading accounts - futures and options contracts |
| 275,414 |
| 94,771 |
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Total current assets |
| 13,701,447 |
| 17,336,366 |
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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT |
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Land |
| 701,872 |
| 701,872 |
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Land improvements |
| 1,237,029 |
| 1,220,677 |
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Manufacturing equipment |
| 39,218,326 |
| 39,029,728 |
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Buildings |
| 3,011,442 |
| 3,011,442 |
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Vehicles |
| 550,480 |
| 550,480 |
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Grain Handling and other Equipment |
| 4,946,789 |
| 3,742,557 |
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Office equipment, furniture, fixtures |
| 189,468 |
| 184,188 |
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Construction-in-progress |
| 2,032,789 |
| 679,828 |
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Spare parts |
| 842,809 |
| 727,145 |
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|
| 52,731,004 |
| 49,847,917 |
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Less: Accumulated depreciation |
| (37,688,027 | ) | (34,414,342 | ) | ||
|
| 15,042,977 |
| 15,433,575 |
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OTHER ASSETS |
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Investment in Industrial Development Revenue Bonds |
| 32,000,000 |
| 32,000,000 |
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Water rights |
| 340,408 |
| 340,408 |
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Loan origination fees, net |
| 146,093 |
| 162,947 |
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Financing fees, net |
| 157,155 |
| 160,521 |
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Deposits |
| 97,834 |
| 97,834 |
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| 32,741,490 |
| 32,761,710 |
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TOTAL ASSETS |
| $ | 61,485,914 |
| $ | 65,531,651 |
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LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
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CURRENT LIABILITIES |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
| $ | 4,286,845 |
| $ | 3,607,416 |
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Accrued interest |
| 5,000 |
| 5,056 |
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Total current liabilities |
| 4,291,845 |
| 3,612,472 |
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LEASE OBLIGATION |
| 32,000,000 |
| 32,000,000 |
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COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
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MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
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Class A Capital Units, 16,002 issued |
| 10,910,140 |
| 10,910,140 |
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Class B Capital Units, 12,068 issued |
| 7,940,895 |
| 7,940,895 |
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Class C Capital Units, 350 issued |
| 250,000 |
| 250,000 |
| ||
Membership distributions |
| (87,378,600 | ) | (75,584,300 | ) | ||
Accumulated comprehensive income |
| (2,321,954 | ) | (1,931,146 | ) | ||
Retained earnings |
| 95,793,588 |
| 88,333,590 |
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Total members’ equity |
| 25,194,069 |
| 29,919,179 |
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY |
| $ | 61,485,914 |
| $ | 65,531,651 |
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