Granite Falls Energy (GFGY) 10-Q 16 Mar 16 2016 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information Document - shares	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Mar. 16, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	Granite Falls Energy, LLC
Entity Central Index Key	1,181,749
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--10-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jan. 31, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		30,606
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes

Balance Sheets

Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Current Assets
Cash	$ 6,556,314	$ 12,696,536
Restricted cash	411,790
Accounts receivable	5,283,744	9,667,472
Inventory	12,425,999	12,212,025
Commodity derivative instruments	171,813	677,149
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,921,807	259,862
Total current assets	26,771,467	35,513,044
Property, Plant and Equipment
Net property, plant and equipment	83,943,748	84,304,162
Goodwill	1,372,473	1,372,473
Other Assets	809,865	821,402
Total Assets	112,897,553	122,011,081
Current Liabilities
Checks drawn in excess of bank balance	5,341,768	1,836,682
Current maturities of long-term debt	584,674	517,957
Accounts payable	2,976,438	4,643,130
Corn payable to FCE	1,225,656	1,486,247
Commodity derivative instruments		1,114
Accrued expenses	693,685	654,550
Total current liabilities	10,822,221	9,139,680
Long-term Debt, less current portion	$ 7,536,806	$ 6,711,975
Commitments and Contingencies
Members' equity attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC consists of 30,606 units authorized, issued, and outstanding	$ 74,973,246	$ 84,602,607
Non-controlling interest	19,565,280	21,556,819
Total members' equity	94,538,526	106,159,426
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity	$ 112,897,553	$ 122,011,081

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)

Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - shares	Oct. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Condensed Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Common Stock, Shares Authorized		30,606	30,606
Common Stock, Shares, Issued	30,606		30,606
Common stock, shares outstanding		30,606	30,606

Statements of Operations

Statements of Operations - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Condensed Statements of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 51,001,654	$ 58,692,502
Cost of Goods Sold	49,568,777	53,064,397
Gross Profit	1,432,877	5,628,105
Operating Expenses	1,400,846	1,423,387
Operating Income	32,031	4,204,718
Other Income (Expense)
Other income, net	67,679	46,974
Interest income	2,799	3,648
Interest expense	(75,964)	(70,467)
Total other expense, net	(5,486)	(19,845)
Net Income	26,545	4,184,873
Less:Net Income Attributable to Non-controlling Interest	15,019	417,781
Net Income Attributable to Granite Falls Energy, LLC	$ 11,526	$ 3,767,092
Weighted Average Units Outstanding - Basic and Diluted	30,606	30,606
Net Income Per Unit - Basic and Diluted	$ 0.38	$ 123.08
Distributions Per Unit - Basic and Diluted	$ 315	$ 1,050

Statements of Cash Flows

Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net income	$ 26,545	$ 4,184,873
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	2,408,849	2,396,780
Change in fair value of commodity derivative instruments	(306,912)	608,373
Change in operating assets and liabilities
Restricted cash	(411,790)	(552,425)
Commodity derivative instruments	811,134	494,540
Accounts receivable	4,383,728	4,905,034
Inventory	(213,974)	(2,683,440)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(1,661,945)	(291,310)
Accounts payable	(1,669,322)	2,549,228
Accrued expenses	39,135	(13,336)
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	3,405,448	11,598,317
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Payments for capital expenditures	(2,294,859)	(4,168,127)
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(2,294,859)	(4,168,127)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from checks drawn in excess of bank balance	3,505,086	3,425,828
Proceeds from long-term debt	4,613,122	3,354,979
Payments on long-term debt	(3,721,574)	(145,567)
Distributions to non-controlling interest	(2,006,558)	(4,621,340)
Member distributions paid	(9,640,887)	(32,136,300)
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(7,250,811)	(30,122,400)
Net Decrease in Cash	(6,140,222)	(22,692,210)
Cash - Beginning of Period	12,696,536	27,209,010
Cash - End of Period	6,556,314	4,516,800
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest Expense	75,964	70,467
Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing, Operating and Financing Activities
Capital expenditures and construction in process included in accounts payable	$ 164,491	$ 272,954

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Account Policies	1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2015, contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals that we consider necessary to present fairly the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other quarter or for the fiscal year. Nature of Business Granite Falls Energy, LLC (“GFE” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Granite Falls, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States and on the international market. GFE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is currently permitted to produce up to 70 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC (“HLBE”) is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Heron Lake, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States. HLBE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is permitted to produce approximately 72.3 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. Additionally, HLBE, through a majority owned subsidiary, operates a natural gas pipeline that provides natural gas to HLBE's ethanol production facility and other customers. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements consolidate the operating results and financial position of GFE, and its 50.6% owned subsidiary, HLBE (through GFE's 100% ownership of Project Viking, LLC). Given the Company’s control over the operations of HLBE and its majority voting interest, the Company consolidates the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements of HLBE with GFE's condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. The remaining 49.4% ownership of HLBE is included in the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements as a non-controlling interest. HLBE, through its wholly owned subsidiary, HLBE Pipeline Company, LLC, owns 73% of Agrinatural Gas, LLC ("Agrinatural"). Given HLBE’s control over the operations of Agrinatural and its majority voting interest, HLBE consolidates the financial statements of Agrinatural with its consolidated unaudited financial statements, with the equity and earnings attributed to the remaining 27% noncontrolling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. Accounting Estimates Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. The Company uses estimates and assumptions in accounting for the following significant matters, among others: economic lives of property, plant, and equipment, valuation of commodity derivatives, inventory, and inventory purchase and sale commitments, and the assumptions used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. The Company periodically reviews estimates and assumptions, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which the revision is made. Revenue Recognition The Company generally sells ethanol and related products pursuant to marketing agreements. Revenues from the production of ethanol and the related products are recorded when the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and rewards of ownership, prices are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Ethanol and related products are generally shipped free on board (FOB) shipping point. The Company believes there are no ethanol sales, during any given month, which should be considered contingent and recorded as deferred revenue. In accordance with the Company's agreements for the marketing and sale of ethanol and related products, marketing fees and commissions due to the marketers are deducted from the gross sales price as earned. These fees and commissions are recorded net of revenues, as they do not provide an identifiable benefit that is sufficiently separable from the sale of ethanol and related products. Shipping costs paid by the Company to the marketer in the sale of ethanol are not specifically identifiable and, as a result, are recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer. Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of distillers' grains and corn oil are included in cost of goods sold. Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11 issued in July 2015. Cost for all inventories is determined using the first in first out method (FIFO). Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and spare parts. Corn is the primary raw material along with other raw materials. Finished goods consist of ethanol, distillers' grains, and corn oil. Derivative Instruments From time to time the Company enters into derivative transactions to hedge its exposures to commodity price fluctuations. The Company is required to record these derivatives on the balance sheets at fair value. In order for a derivative to qualify as a hedge, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained. Gains and losses from derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, or are undesignated, must be recognized immediately in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative will be either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives are recorded in earnings. Additionally, the Company is required to evaluate its contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted 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 accounting and reporting requirements, and therefore, are not marked to market in our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. In order to reduce the risks caused by market fluctuations, the Company occasionally hedges its anticipated corn, natural gas, and denaturant purchases and ethanol sales by entering into options and futures contracts. These contracts are used with the intention to fix the purchase price of anticipated requirements for corn in the Company's ethanol production activities and the related sales price of ethanol. The fair value of these contracts is based on quoted prices in active exchange-traded or over-the-counter market conditions. Although the Company believes its commodity derivative positions are economic hedges, none have been formally designated as a hedge for accounting purposes and derivative positions are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair market value, with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings or losses. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company has adopted authoritative guidance related to “Derivatives and Hedging,” and has included the required enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosure about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses from derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. See further discussion in Note 4. Correction Of An Immaterial Error The Company revised the condensed consolidated unaudited statement of cash flows for the three months ended January 31, 2015, to correct for a non-cash acquisition of property and equipment resulting in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $3,359,225 and a corresponding decrease in net cash provided by investing activities.

Risks and Uncertainties

Risks and Uncertainties	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Item 2 Risks and Uncertainties [Abstract]
Risks and Uncertainties	2. RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it experiences during volatile market conditions. These volatilities can have a severe impact on operations. The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol, distillers' grains, corn oil, and natural gas to customers primarily located in the United States. Corn for the production process is supplied to our plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market. Ethanol sales typically average 75 - 85% of total revenues and corn costs typically average 65 - 85% of cost of goods sold. The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by the prices at which they sell ethanol and the net expense of corn. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as supply and demand, the weather, government policies and programs, and unleaded gasoline prices and the petroleum markets as a whole. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol. Our largest cost of production is corn. The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, the weather, government policies and programs, and our risk management program used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities.

Inventory

Inventory	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Inventory [Abstract]
Inventory	3. INVENTORY Inventories consist of the following: January 31, 2016 October 31, 2015 (Unaudited) Raw materials $ $ Supplies Work in process Finished goods Totals $ $ The Company performs a lower of cost or net realizable value analysis on inventory to determine if the market values of certain inventories are less than their carrying value, which is attributable primarily to decreases in market prices of corn and ethanol. Based on the lower of cost or net realizable value analysis, the Company recorded a loss on ethanol inventories of approximately $353,000 and $0 for the three month periods ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	4. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS As of January 31, 2016, the total notional amount of the Company's outstanding corn derivative instruments was approximately 3,835,000 bushels, comprised of 880,000 and 2,955,000 bushel equivalent positions held by GFE and HLBE, respectively, that were entered into to hedge forecasted corn purchases through December 2016. There may be offsetting positions that are not shown on a net basis that could lower the notional amount of positions outstanding as disclosed above. As of January 31, 2016, the total notional amount of the Company’s outstanding ethanol derivative instruments was approximately 1,680,000 gallons , comprised of approximately 840,000 and 840,000 gallon equivalent positions held by GFE and HLBE, respectively, that were entered into to hedge forecasted ethanol sales through March 2016. The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at January 31, 2016, none of which were designated as hedging instruments: Balance Sheet location Assets Liabilities Corn contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments $ $ — Corn contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Ethanol contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments — Ethanol contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Totals $ $ — In addition, at January 31, 2016, the Company maintained approximately $412,000 of restricted cash, comprised of approximately $49,000 held by GFE and $363,000 held by HLBE related to margin requirements for the Company’s commodity derivative instrument positions. The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at October 31, 2015, none of which were designated as hedging instruments: Balance Sheet location Assets Liabilities Corn contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments $ — $ Corn contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Totals $ $ At October 31, 2015, the Company did not have any cash collateral (restricted cash) related to commodity derivatives held by a broker. The following tables provide details regarding the gains and losses from Company's derivative instruments in statements of operations, none of which are designated as hedging instruments: Statement of Three Months Ended January 31, Operations Location 2016 2015 Corn contracts Cost of Goods Sold $ $ Ethanol contracts Revenues — Natural gas contracts Cost of Goods Sold — Total gain (loss) $ $

Fair Value

Fair Value	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	5. FAIR VALUE The following table provides information on those derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2016: Fair Value Measurement Using Carrying Amount in Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Unobservable Financial Asset: Balance Sheet Markets (Level 1) Observable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ — The following table provides information on those derivative liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2015: Fair Value Measurement Using Carrying Amount in Balance Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Unobservable Financial Asset: Sheet Markets (Level 1) Observable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ — Financial Liabilities: Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ — The Company determines the fair value of commodity derivative instruments by obtaining 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 Chicago Board of Trade market and New York Mercantile Exchange.

Debt Facilities

Debt Facilities	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	6. DEBT FACILITIES Debt financing consists of the following: January 31, 2016 October 31, 2015 HERON LAKE BIOENERGY: (unaudited) Revolving term loan to lending institution, see terms below $ $ Assessments payable Note payable to electrical company Note payable to noncontrolling interest member of Agrinature Totals Less amounts due within one year Net long-term debt $ $ Granite Falls Energy : GFE has a revolving term loan facility, under which GFE could initially borrow , repay, and re-borrow in an amount up to $18,000,000 . However, the amount available for borrowing under this facility reduces by $2,000,000 se mi-annually, beginning September 1, 201 4 , with final payment due March 1, 2018. The amount available on this facility was $12,000,000 at January 31, 2016 and at October 31, 2015. The amount available under this facility was further reduced at March 1, 2016 to $10,000,000 . The interest rate is based on the bank's "One Month LIBOR Index Rate," plus 3.05%. GFE had no outstanding balance on this loan on January 31, 2016 or October 31, 2015. The Company's credit facility requires GFE to comply with certain financial covenants that require minimum debt service coverage and working capital requirements. As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, GFE was in compliance with these financial covenants and expects to be in compliance throughout fiscal 2016. The credit facility is secured by substantially all assets of the Company. There are no savings account balance collateral requirements as part of this credit facility. Heron Lake BioEnergy : HLBE has a revolving term loan with a lender initially totaling $28,000,000 . Under the terms of the credit facility, the revolving term loan commitment is scheduled to decline by $3,500,000 annually, starting March 1, 2015 and continues each anniversary thereafter until maturity. Therefore, the amount available on this facility at January 31, 2016 was $24,500,000 reduced again at March 1, 2016 to $21,000,000 . Amounts borrowed by HLBE under the revolving term loan and repaid or prepaid may be re-borrowed at any time prior to the March 1, 2022 maturity date. Interest on the revolving term loan accrues at a variable rate equal to 3.25% above the One-Month London Interbank Offered Rate (" LIBOR ") Index rate. HLBE may elect to enter into a fixed interest rate on this loan at various times throughout the term of the loan as provided in the loan agreements. HLBE also agreed to pay an unused commitment fee on the unused portion of the revolving term loan commitment at the rate of 0.50% per annum. The revolving term loan is subject to a prepayment fee for any prepayment on the term loan prior to July 1, 2016 due to refinancing. The credit facility contains customary covenants. The loan is secured by substantially all of HLBE's assets including a subsidiary guarantee. The outstanding balance on the revolving term loan totaled approximately $5,776,000 and $4,823,000 at January 31, 2016, and October 31, 2015, respectively. The interest rate on the revolving term loan was 3.69% and 3.45% at January 31, 2016, and October 31, 2015, respectively. As part of the credit facility closing, HLBE entered into an Administrative Agency Agreement with CoBank, ACP ("CoBank"). CoBank purchased a participation interest in the AgStar loans and was appointed the administrative agent for the purpose of servicing the loans. As a result, CoBank will act as the agent for AgStar with respect to the credit facility. In October 2003, HLBE entered into an industrial water supply development and distribution agreement with the City of Heron Lake, Jackson County, and Minnesota Soybean Processors. In consideration of this agreement, HLBE and Minnesota Soybean Processors are allocated equally the debt service on $735,000 in water revenue bonds that were issued by the City to support this project that mature in February 2019. The parties have agreed that, prior to the scheduled expiration of the agreement, they will negotiate in good faith to replace the agreement with a further agreement regarding the wells and related facilities. In May 2006, HLBE entered into an industrial water supply treatment agreement with the City of Heron Lake and Jackson County. Under this agreement, HLBE pays monthly installments over 24 months starting January 1, 2007 equal to one years' debt service on approximately $3.6 million in water revenue bonds, which will be returned to HLBE if any funds remain after final payment in full on the bonds and assuming HLBE complies with all payment obligations under the agreement. As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, there were a total of approximately 1,954,000 a nd $1,963,000 , respectively, in outstanding water revenue bonds. HLBE classifies its obligations under these bonds as assessments payable. The interest rates on the bonds range from 0.50% to 8.73 %. Estimated annual maturities of debt at January 31, 2016, are as follows based on the most recent debt agreements: 2016 $ 2017 2018 2019 2020 After 2020 Total debt $

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	7. LEASES GFE leases equipment, primarily rail cars, under operating leases through 2025. Rent expense for these leases was approximately $894,000 and approximately $595,000 for the three months ended ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. HLBE leases equipment, primarily rail cars, under operating leases through 2017. Rent expense for these leases was approximately $533,000 and approximately $519,000 for the three months ended January 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Members' Equity

Members' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Members' Equity [Abstract]
Members' Equity	8. MEMBERS' EQUITY GFE has one class of membership units. The units have no par value and have identical rights, obligations and privileges. Income and losses are allocated to all members based upon their respective percentage of units held. As of January 31, 2016 and October 31, 2015, GFE had 30,606 membership units authorized, issued, and outstanding. In December 2014, the Board of Governors of GFE declared a cash distribution of $1,050 per unit or approximately $32,136,000 , for unit holders of record as of December 18, 2014. The distribution was paid in January 2015. In December 2015, the Board of Governors of GFE declared a cash distribution of $3 15 per unit, or approximately $9,641,000 , for unit holders of record as of December 17, 2015 . The distribution was paid in January 2016. In December 2014, the Board of Governors of HLBE declared a cash distribution of $0.12 per unit or approximately $9,352,000 for unit holders of record as of December 18, 2014, of which approximately $4,621,000 was made to the non-controlling interest members of HLBE. The distribution was paid in January 2015. In December 2015, the Board of Governors of HLBE declared a cash distribution of $0.05 per unit, or approximately $3,897,000 , for unit holders of record as of December 17, 2015 . The distribution was paid in January 2016.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Corn Storage and Grain Handling Agreement and Purchase Commitments GFE has a corn storage and grain handling agreement with Farmers Cooperative Elevator Company (FCE), a member. Under the current agreement, the Company agrees to purchase all of the corn needed for the operation of the plant from FCE. The price of the corn purchased will be the bid price the member establishes for the plant plus a set fee per bushel. On January 31, 2016, GFE had 380,000 bushels of stored corn totaling approximately $1,300,000 with FCE. At January 31, 2016, GFE had no forward corn purchase commitments. On January 31, 2016, HLBE had cash and basis contracts for forward corn purchase commitments for approximately 4,597,000 bushels for deliveries through December 2016. Ethanol Contracts At January 31, 2016, GFE had forward contracts to sell approximately $2,166,000 of ethanol for various delivery periods from February 2016 through March 2016 which approximates 15% of its anticipated ethanol sales during that period. At January 31, 2016, HLBE had forward contracts to sell approximately $2,100,000 of ethanol for various delivery periods from February 2016 through March 2016 which approximates 15% of its anticipated ethanol sales during that period. Distillers' Grain Contracts At January 31, 2016, GFE had forward contracts to sell approximately $666,000 of distillers' grain for deliveries in February 2016 which approximates 43% of its anticipated distillers' grain sales during that period. At January 31, 2016, HLBE had forward contracts to sell approximately $95,000 of distillers' grains for delivery in February 2016 which approximates 6% of its anticipated distillers' grain sales during that period. Natural Gas At January 31, 2016, GFE had forward basis contracts to buy natural gas for deliveries in February 2016 through March 2016, which approximates 75% of its anticipated natural gas purchases during this period. At January 31, 2016, HLBE had no forward contracts to buy natural gas. Corn Oil At January 31, 2016 , GFE had forward contracts to sell approximately $217,000 of corn oil for delivery through March 2016. At January 31, 2016 , HLBE had forward contracts to sell approximately $391,000 of corn oil for delivery through May 2016. Construction in Progress On April 8, 2015, GFE executed a construction agreement with an unrelated contractor to construct an additional 750,000 bushel grain storage bin. The grain storage expansion project is expected to cost approximately $2.7 million and is expected to be completed during the first half of our 2016 fiscal year. On July 31, 2015, HLBE placed a purchase order with an unrelated party for a new regenerative thermal oxidizer and made a down payment of approximately $375,000 to secure the order. The total commitment approximates $1.9 million and is expected to be completed during the latter part of fiscal year 2016.

Summary of Significant Accoun15

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended October 31, 2015, contained in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring accruals that we consider necessary to present fairly the Company’s results of operations, financial position and cash flows. The results reported in these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements should not be regarded as necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other quarter or for the fiscal year.
Nature of Business [Policy Text Block]	Nature of Business Granite Falls Energy, LLC (“GFE” or the “Company”) is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Granite Falls, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States and on the international market. GFE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is currently permitted to produce up to 70 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. Heron Lake BioEnergy, LLC (“HLBE”) is a Minnesota limited liability company currently producing fuel-grade ethanol, distillers' grains, and crude corn oil near Heron Lake, Minnesota and sells these products, pursuant to marketing agreements, throughout the continental United States. HLBE's plant has an approximate annual production capacity of 60 million gallons, but is permitted to produce approximately 72.3 million gallons of undenatured ethanol on a twelve month rolling sum basis. Additionally, HLBE, through a majority owned subsidiary, operates a natural gas pipeline that provides natural gas to HLBE's ethanol production facility and other customers.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements consolidate the operating results and financial position of GFE, and its 50.6% owned subsidiary, HLBE (through GFE's 100% ownership of Project Viking, LLC). Given the Company’s control over the operations of HLBE and its majority voting interest, the Company consolidates the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements of HLBE with GFE's condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. The remaining 49.4% ownership of HLBE is included in the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements as a non-controlling interest. HLBE, through its wholly owned subsidiary, HLBE Pipeline Company, LLC, owns 73% of Agrinatural Gas, LLC ("Agrinatural"). Given HLBE’s control over the operations of Agrinatural and its majority voting interest, HLBE consolidates the financial statements of Agrinatural with its consolidated unaudited financial statements, with the equity and earnings attributed to the remaining 27% noncontrolling interest. All intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Accounting Estimates Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. The Company uses estimates and assumptions in accounting for the following significant matters, among others: economic lives of property, plant, and equipment, valuation of commodity derivatives, inventory, and inventory purchase and sale commitments, and the assumptions used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets and goodwill. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. The Company periodically reviews estimates and assumptions, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which the revision is made.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenue Recognition The Company generally sells ethanol and related products pursuant to marketing agreements. Revenues from the production of ethanol and the related products are recorded when the customer has taken title and assumed the risks and rewards of ownership, prices are fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. Ethanol and related products are generally shipped free on board (FOB) shipping point. The Company believes there are no ethanol sales, during any given month, which should be considered contingent and recorded as deferred revenue. In accordance with the Company's agreements for the marketing and sale of ethanol and related products, marketing fees and commissions due to the marketers are deducted from the gross sales price as earned. These fees and commissions are recorded net of revenues, as they do not provide an identifiable benefit that is sufficiently separable from the sale of ethanol and related products. Shipping costs paid by the Company to the marketer in the sale of ethanol are not specifically identifiable and, as a result, are recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer. Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of distillers' grains and corn oil are included in cost of goods sold.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventory Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-11 issued in July 2015. Cost for all inventories is determined using the first in first out method (FIFO). Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Inventory consists of raw materials, work in process, finished goods, and spare parts. Corn is the primary raw material along with other raw materials. Finished goods consist of ethanol, distillers' grains, and corn oil.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Derivative Instruments From time to time the Company enters into derivative transactions to hedge its exposures to commodity price fluctuations. The Company is required to record these derivatives on the balance sheets at fair value. In order for a derivative to qualify as a hedge, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained. Gains and losses from derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, or are undesignated, must be recognized immediately in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative will be either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives are recorded in earnings. Additionally, the Company is required to evaluate its contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted 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 accounting and reporting requirements, and therefore, are not marked to market in our condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements. In order to reduce the risks caused by market fluctuations, the Company occasionally hedges its anticipated corn, natural gas, and denaturant purchases and ethanol sales by entering into options and futures contracts. These contracts are used with the intention to fix the purchase price of anticipated requirements for corn in the Company's ethanol production activities and the related sales price of ethanol. The fair value of these contracts is based on quoted prices in active exchange-traded or over-the-counter market conditions. Although the Company believes its commodity derivative positions are economic hedges, none have been formally designated as a hedge for accounting purposes and derivative positions are recorded on the balance sheet at their fair market value, with changes in fair value recognized in current period earnings or losses. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company has adopted authoritative guidance related to “Derivatives and Hedging,” and has included the required enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosure about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts of gains and losses from derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements. See further discussion in Note 4.
Reclassification, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Correction Of An Immaterial Error The Company revised the condensed consolidated unaudited statement of cash flows for the three months ended January 31, 2015, to correct for a non-cash acquisition of property and equipment resulting in an increase in cash provided by operating activities of $3,359,225 and a corresponding decrease in net cash provided by investing activities.

Inventory (Tables)

Inventory (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Inventory in Process [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block]	January 31, 2016 October 31, 2015 (Unaudited) Raw materials $ $ Supplies Work in process Finished goods Totals $ $

Derivative Instruments (Tables)

Derivative Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]	The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at January 31, 2016, none of which were designated as hedging instruments: Balance Sheet location Assets Liabilities Corn contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments $ $ — Corn contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Ethanol contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments — Ethanol contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Totals $ $ — The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative instruments at October 31, 2015, none of which were designated as hedging instruments: Balance Sheet location Assets Liabilities Corn contracts - GFE Commodity derivative instruments $ — $ Corn contracts - HLBE Commodity derivative instruments — Totals $ $
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance [Table Text Block]	Statement of Three Months Ended January 31, Operations Location 2016 2015 Corn contracts Cost of Goods Sold $ $ Ethanol contracts Revenues — Natural gas contracts Cost of Goods Sold — Total gain (loss) $ $

Fair Value (Tables)

Fair Value (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block]	The following table provides information on those derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at January 31, 2016: Fair Value Measurement Using Carrying Amount in Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Unobservable Financial Asset: Balance Sheet Markets (Level 1) Observable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ — The following table provides information on those derivative liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at October 31, 2015: Fair Value Measurement Using Carrying Amount in Balance Quoted Prices in Active Significant Other Significant Unobservable Financial Asset: Sheet Markets (Level 1) Observable Inputs (Level 2) Inputs (Level 3) Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ — Financial Liabilities: Commodity Derivative Instruments $ $ $ — $ —

Debt Facilities (Tables)

Debt Facilities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]	January 31, 2016 October 31, 2015 HERON LAKE BIOENERGY: (unaudited) Revolving term loan to lending institution, see terms below $ $ Assessments payable Note payable to electrical company Note payable to noncontrolling interest member of Agrinature Totals Less amounts due within one year Net long-term debt $ $
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]	Estimated annual maturities of debt at January 31, 2016, are as follows based on the most recent debt agreements: 2016 $ 2017 2018 2019 2020 After 2020 Total debt $

Summary of Significant Accoun20

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - (Details) gal in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016gal	Jan. 31, 2015USD ($)
Plant production capacity	60
Measurement, Rolling Twelve Months	twelve
Production (Actual)	70
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment | $		$ 3,359,225
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Plant production capacity	60
Production (Actual)	72.3
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.60%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	49.40%
Project Viking, LLC [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	100.00%
Agrinatural, LLC [Member]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	73.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners	27.00%

Risks and Uncertainties Narrati

Risks and Uncertainties Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016
Minimum [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Percentage	75.00%
Minimum [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percent of Cost of Goods Sold	65.00%
Maximum [Member]
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Sales Revenue, Goods, Net, Percentage	85.00%
Percent of Cost of Goods Sold	85.00%

Inventory (Details)

Inventory (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2015
Inventory [Abstract]
Raw materials	$ 2,563,324		$ 4,504,388
Supplies	2,565,663		2,631,452
Work in process	1,323,125		1,445,084
Finished goods	5,973,887		3,631,101
Inventory, Net	12,425,999		$ 12,212,025
Loss on ethanol inventories	$ 353,000	$ 0

Derivative Instruments Narrativ

Derivative Instruments Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016galbu
Corn
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | bu	3,835,000
Ethanol
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | gal	1,680,000
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Corn
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | bu	880,000
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Ethanol
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | gal	840,000
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member] | Corn
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | bu	2,955,000
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member] | Ethanol
Derivative [Line Items]
Total notional amount outstanding | gal	840,000

Derivative Instrument Asset And

Derivative Instrument Asset And Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	$ 171,813	$ 677,149
Derivative Liabilities, Current		1,114
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	49,000
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	30,700
Derivative Liabilities, Current		1,114
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Ethanol Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	14,875
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current	363,000
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	111,363	$ 677,149
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member] | Ethanol Contracts [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets, Current	$ 14,875

Derivative Instrument, Income S

Derivative Instrument, Income Statement (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	$ 306,912	$ (608,373)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	195,998	$ (608,373)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Natural Gas Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	32,358
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Sales [Member] | Ethanol Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income, Net	$ 78,556

Fair Value (Details)

Fair Value (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Current	$ 171,813	$ 677,149
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	171,813	677,149
Derivative Liabilities		1,114
Carrying (Reported) Amount, Fair Value Disclosure [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	$ 171,813	677,149
Derivative Liabilities		$ 1,114

Debt Facilities Narrative (Deta

Debt Facilities Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2016
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	$ 584,674	$ 517,957
Long-term Debt, less current portion	7,536,806	6,711,975
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	8,121,480	7,229,932
Long-term Debt, Current Maturities	584,674	517,957
Long-term Debt, less current portion	$ 7,536,806	6,711,975
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Revolving Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	LIBOR
Agrinatural, LLC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 266,000	300,000
CoBank [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	5,776,421	4,822,777
CoBank [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Revolving Operating Loan [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum borrowing capacity, superseded			$ 21,000,000
CoBank [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Revolving Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	5,776,000	$ 4,823,000
Long-term Debt	28,000,000
Line of Credit Future Reduction, Amount	$ 3,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	3.25%
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage	0.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum borrowing capacity, superseded	$ 24,500,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	3.69%	3.45%
City/County Juristiction [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	$ 1,954,059	$ 1,963,405
City/County Juristiction [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Water Revenue Bonds [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 735,000
City/County Juristiction [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Water Treatment Plant [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Minimum	0.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Rate Range, Maximum	8.73%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 3,600,000
Federated Electric [Member] | Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	125,000	143,750
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Line of Credit Future Reduction, Amount	$ 2,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Interest Rate Description	"One Month LIBOR Index Rate," plus 3.05%.
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Savings Account Balance Requirement [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Covenant Description	0
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Revolving Term Loan [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 18,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum borrowing capacity, superseded	12,000,000	$ 12,000,000	$ 10,000,000
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member]
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 8,121,480

Debt Facilities Schedules (Deta

Debt Facilities Schedules (Details) - Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member]	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Next Rolling Twelve Months	$ 584,674
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Two	462,086
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Three	333,015
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Four	307,709
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Five	326,798
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Rolling Year Five	6,107,198
Long-term Debt	$ 8,121,480

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016	Jan. 31, 2015
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Rail Cars [Member]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 894,000	$ 595,000
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 533,000	$ 519,000

Members' Equity (Details)

Members' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	Dec. 18, 2014	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Membership Units, Issued		30,606	30,606
Membership Units, Outstanding		30,606	30,606
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member]
Distribution Made to Membership, Cash Distribution Paid per Unit			$ 315	$ 1,050
Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid			9,641,000	$ 32,136,000
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member]
Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid	$ 9,352,000		$ 3,897,000
Distribution Made to Limited Liability Company (LLC) Member, Distributions Paid, Per Unit		$ 0.12	$ 0.05
Heron Lake Bio-energy LLC [Member] | Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Distribution Made to Member or Limited Partner, Cash Distributions Paid			$ 4,621,000

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2016USD ($)bu
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Ethanol Contracts [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 2,166,000
Revenue Concentration, Future Commitment	15.00%
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Distillers Grains [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 666,000
Revenue Concentration, Future Commitment	43.00%
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Grain Storage [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Construction in Progress, Bushels | bu	750,000
Construction in Progress, Gross	$ 2,700,000
Granite Falls Energy, LLC [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Inventory Dollars, Outside Storage	$ 1,300,000
Inventory, Outside storage | bu	380,000
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Corn Contracts [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Inventory, Outside storage | bu	4,597,000
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Ethanol Contracts [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 2,100,000
Revenue Concentration, Future Commitment	15.00%
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Distillers Grains [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 95,000
Revenue Concentration, Future Commitment	6.00%
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer RTO [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Purchase Obligation, Down Payment	$ 375,000
Purchase Obligation	1,900,000
Granite Falls Energy [Member] | Corn Oil [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 217,000
Granite Falls Energy [Member] | Natural Gas [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future commitment, percent of anticipated usage	75.00%
Heron Lake Bioenergy [Member] | Corn Oil [Member]
Purchase Commitment, Excluding Long-term Commitment [Line Items]
Future Commitment, Dollar	$ 391,000