Impact of COVID-19
The Cooperative continues to monitor the global outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and its impact on the Cooperative’s results of operations and financial condition. Demand for high fructose corn syrup in food service and entertainment sectors has declined. Corn millers have also idled ethanol plants in response to a depressed demand for ethanol. The ProGold plant currently continues to operate in the ordinary course and the Cooperative’s overall business has not been impacted; however, the Cooperative is unable to predict the duration of the outbreak and the resulting long-term impact of COVID-19 on its business or the impact on the future operations of the ProGold plant.
Results of Operations
Revenues. The Cooperative derives revenue from two sources: operations related to the marketing of members’ corn and income derived from the Cooperative’s membership interest in ProGold LLC. The corn marketing operations generate revenue for the Cooperative equal to the value of the corn that is delivered to Cargill. The Cooperative recognizes expense equal to this same amount, which results in the corn marketing operations being revenue neutral to the Cooperative, except for revenue from the Method B agency fee and expenses related to the Method A incentive payments and the service fee paid to Cargill.
For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, the Cooperative sold approximately 4.0 and 8.4 million bushels of corn compared to approximately 4.2 and 8.8 million bushels of corn sold during the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2019. For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, the members, on the Cooperative’s behalf, delivered to Cargill for processing at the facility approximately 1.2 and 2.8 million bushels of corn using Method A and 2.8 and 5.7 million bushels of corn using Method B. In the same respective periods in 2019, its members, on the Cooperative’s behalf, delivered to Cargill for processing at the facility 1.4 and 3.1 million bushels of corn using Method A and 2.8 and 5.7 million bushels of corn using Method B.
For the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, the Cooperative recognized corn revenue of $11,183,000 and $25,926,000 compared to $14,956,000 and $30,344,000, during the same respective periods in 2019, a decrease of 25% for the second quarter and a decrease of 15% year to date due primarily to a decrease in bushels delivered in the second quarter and a decrease in the price per bushel of corn sold year to date in 2020 compared to 2019.
Expenses. The Cooperative recognized corn expense of $11,198,000 and $25,955,000 for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, respectively, compared to $14,971,000 and $30,373,000 during the same respective periods in 2019, a decrease of 25% for the second quarter, and a decrease of 15% year to date due primarily to a decrease in bushels delivered and a decrease in the price per bushel of corn purchased in 2020 compared to 2019.
The Cooperative recognized expense of $15,000 and $30,000 for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020, respectively, and during the same respective periods in 2019 in connection with costs incurred to Cargill related to the Cooperative’s corn marketing operation.
Income from ProGold LLC. The Cooperative derived income from ProGold LLC for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 of $1,084,000 and $3,027,000, respectively, compared to $2,357,000 and $4,312,000 during the same respective periods in 2019, a decrease of 54% for the second quarter and a decrease of 30% year to date due primarily to a reduction in ProGold LLC’s lease income and higher depreciation expenses in 2020 compared to 2019.
General and Administrative Expenses. The Cooperative’s general and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits, professional fees and fees paid to its Board of Directors. The general and administrative expenses for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 were $115,000 and $286,000, respectively, compared to $147,000 and $315,000 during the same respective periods in 2019. The decrease in administrative expenses for the six month period ended June 30, 2020 compared to the six month period ended June 30, 2019 is primarily due to the reduced board of directors expenses and reduced annual meeting expenses.
Other Income. Interest income for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2020 was $44,000 and $92,000 compared to $34,000 and $84,000 during the same respective periods in 2019. The increase is primarily due to larger interest-earning investments. Realized gain on investments for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2020 was $3,000 and $5,000, respectively, compared to $2,000 and $2,000 during the same respective periods in 2019.