Quarterlytics / Consumer Defensive / Agricultural Farm Products / CHS Inc.

CHS Inc.

chscp · NASDAQ Consumer Defensive
Claim this profile
Ticker chscp
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Defensive
Industry Agricultural Farm Products
Employees 10014
← All annual reports
FY2020 Annual Report · CHS Inc.
Sign in to download
Loading PDF…
2020 CHS Annual Report

OUR PURPOSE
CREATING CONNECTIONS TO 
EMPOWER AGRICULTURE

OUR VALUES

INTEGRITY
We set high standards and hold 
ourselves accountable.

SAFETY
We put the well-being of our people, 
customers and communities first 
every day.

INCLUSION
We believe excellence and growth 
stem from diverse thinking.

COOPERATIVE SPIRIT
We work together for shared success 
and to strengthen our communities.

BUILT FOR YOU

Dan Schurr

Jay Debertin

CHS was built to withstand ups and 
downs of markets, weather, trade and 
more. We plan for the unexpected — 
and we rise to the challenge when it 
happens. Our diverse company, our 
commitment to creating connections 
that empower agriculture and our 
people give us a firm foundation on 
which to stand strong and grow.

Fiscal 2020 was a year of two halves. 
The first half was marked by a cold harvest 
season and early winter weather through 
much of our trade area. Crop yields were 
reduced by exceptionally poor 2019 
planting conditions, the difficult harvest 
reduced grain volumes even more and 
prevented fall fertilizer applications. At 
the same time, our extensive supply 
network met historic demand for 
propane to dry corn and heat homes 
and businesses, which contributed to a 
record-setting year for propane volumes.

The second half of the year enjoyed 
an excellent growing season in most 
regions, but the COVID-19 pandemic 
dramatically reduced refined fuels 
demand and disrupted the foodservice 
industry, which hurt our Ventura Foods, 
LLC, joint venture and oilseeds business. 
While our primarily rural customer base 
helped maintain diesel demand relatively 
well, the significant refining margins 
our refineries in Montana and Kansas 
enjoyed in fiscal 2019 by processing 
heavy Canadian crude oil diminished in 
fiscal 2020, reducing energy margins.

A bright spot throughout the year was 
the easing of trade disruption with 
China. Increased grain purchases 
and new markets established by 
CHS traders helped sustain grain 
volumes and move stored grain to 
prepare for the large 2020 harvest.

We realized a full year of revenue from 
our fiscal 2019 acquisition of the 
remaining 75 percent of West Central 

Distribution, LLC, a crop input distributor 
and supplier of proprietary crop 
protection products. Our ability to 
provide differentiated, high-value crop 
protection technologies combined with 
our substantial crop nutrients business 
make CHS a stronger agronomy partner 
for our owners and customers.

Amid the year’s headwinds, our core 
businesses delivered solid performance 
and took significant steps toward more 
efficient operations. Our commitment 
to the Lean approach of employee-
led continuous improvement laid the 
groundwork for lasting benefits. More 
centralized sourcing added cost savings 
and leveraged enterprisewide strength.

Technology advances streamlined the 
flow of data throughout the supply chain, 
improving communications, shortening wait 
times, easing management requirements 
and adding value for our owners.

The challenges we felt at the close of fiscal 
2020 will continue well into fiscal 2021. We 
will face them head-on with these priorities:

•   We will navigate the pandemic, 
protecting the safety and well-
being of our employees, owners, 
customers and communities.

•   We will protect our financial health 
by identifying efficiencies and cost 
savings across the enterprise.

•   We will advance our operating model 
to build a stronger, more efficient 
company, delivering more value at 
every point in our supply chain.

Thank you for your business and for 
your commitment to the cooperative 
system. CHS is built to provide the 
products, services and value you 
need. Our system is built to help you 
withstand unexpected pressures and 
stay strong. CHS is built for you.

Dan Schurr 
Chair, Board of Directors

Jay Debertin 
President and Chief Executive Officer

CHS 2020      1

 
YEAR IN REVIEW

CHS Global Grain Marketing continued 
its transition to a product line operating 
model in fiscal 2020 while maintaining 
team productivity amid the global 
pandemic. The new model is improving 
data transfer and communication across 
the CHS global supply chain, enhancing 
value for owners, increasing efficiency 
and providing new career opportunities 
for employees. Reduced trade disruption 
triggered significant increases in grain 
volume in South America and record 
sales in Europe and Asia. Volumes of 
durum wheat more than tripled and 
canola origination increased significantly. 
CHS traders identified and served new 
customers in Nigeria, Turkey and other 
countries, and the container program for 
specialty products such as dry green peas 
and non-GMO crops continued to provide 
new market opportunities for growers.

Collaboration in grain origination and trad-
ing between CHS Global Grain Marketing 
and the CHS Country Operations retail 
channel brought additional opportunities 
related to purchasing scale and supply 
chain efficiency. One significant effort in 
this area included TEMCO, LLC, a grain- 
exporting joint venture with Cargill, for 
streamlined origination and movement 
of wheat through ports in the Pacific 
Northwest. Enhanced communication, 
better market insights and increased effi-
ciency are adding value for CHS owners.

market position in the Chicago market 
helped maintain volume and profitability. 
Construction at the Fairmont, Minn., soy-
bean crushing plant continued; the $100 
million project will be complete in late 
calendar 2021 and will increase production 
capacity by 30 percent. In early fiscal 2021, 
CHS consolidated its grain marketing 
and processing businesses into the CHS 
Global Grain & Processing business unit.

Ongoing evolution of CHS Sunflower 
included firmly establishing CHS-
owned Royal Hybrid® hybrid sunflower 
seed as the leading North American 
sunflower genetics supplier with the 
purchase of the Corteva Agriscience 
confectionary sunflower seed lines. One 
positive outcome of the pandemic has 
been increased interest in backyard 
bird-feeding, which triggered 20 percent 
growth in bird food sales for the Grandin, 
N.D., CHS sunflower processing plant.

CHS Hedging marked fiscal 2020 
by rebranding Russell Consulting as 
AgSurion SM Risk Consulting, a service of 
CHS Hedging. The business also updated 
its customer experience with a new brand 
presence and redesigned website and 
added clearing capabilities. Additional 
growth came through increased use 
of fertilizer risk management services 
by member cooperatives seeking to 
capitalize on volatile global markets.

Major shocks to consumer demand related 
to the pandemic reduced edible vegetable 
oil consumption in the second half of the 
fiscal year, adding challenges for CHS 
Processing and Food Ingredients. The 
business responded by developing new 
markets for biodiesel and other soy oil 
products. While reductions in vehicle use 
diminished demand for ethanol from the 
CHS plants in Rochelle and Annawan, Ill., 
the strength of the CHS supply chain and 

CHS Capital grew its innovative producer 
financing programs with strategic part-
nerships across the enterprise. The new 
Accolade Producer Financing Program 
was offered through member coop-
eratives selling CHS crop nutrient and 
crop protection products. A 30 percent 
increase in loan commitments through 
the Country Operations Autumn Rewards 
Finance Program indicated strong accep-
tance for the low-cost financing solution.

2      CHS 2020

SIGNIFICANT 
INCREASES IN 
GRAIN VOLUMES 
DELIVERED 
TO CUSTOMERS 
IN EUROPE 
AND ASIA

CHS 2020      3

RECORD SALES OF 
915 MILLION GALLONS 
OF CENEX® PREMIUM 
DIESEL FUEL

4      CHS 2020

Effects of the global pandemic were felt 
sharply in the energy sector, where miles 
driven plummeted in March and April 
2020 as consumers adhered to stay-at-
home orders. CHS Energy maintained its 
focus on the Cenex® brand, supporting 
retailers who serve a largely rural client 
base, including many essential workers. 
Despite difficult market conditions, 
strong demand for Cenex premium die-
sel fuel drove record sales for that prod-
uct line. New artificial intelligence tools 
helped manage inventory and price risk.

Partnering with refined fuels retailers to 
provide an inviting customer experience, 
CHS launched the Cenex LIFT initiative 
to enhance outdoor lighting and brand 
image elements at retail locations across 
the country. Financing is available 
through CHS Capital for Cenex brand 
retailers to update store interiors.

ensure safe propane handling and deliv-
ery to homes, farms and rural businesses.

Leveraging its strategic turnaround and 
capital investments completed in fiscal 
2019, the CHS refinery in McPherson, 
Kan., processed a record-high volume 
of crude oil in fiscal 2020. Significant 
safety and reliability upgrades were 
made to piping systems at the Conway, 
Kan., underground storage facility, which 
provides unique flexibility to optimize 
product storage for the McPherson 
refinery. Replacement of the Cenex 
pipeline segment from Glendive, 
Mont., to Minot, N.D., was successfully 
completed in fiscal 2020 and will play 
an important long-term role in success 
of the CHS Laurel, Mont., refinery and 
ability of CHS to distribute gasoline and 
diesel products to eastern Montana, 
North Dakota and western Minnesota.

CHS Lubricants recorded stronger 
year-over-year volumes with excellent 
earnings for the year, despite chal-
lenging market conditions. A focus 
on safety in the three CHS lubricant 
blending plants resulted in no lost-time 
injuries for the second consecutive 
year, a first-time achievement.

An exceptionally wet 2019 harvest sea-
son sharply increased demand for fuel 
to dry crops and helped CHS Propane 
reach record earnings on sales of more 
than 1 billion total gallons of propane 
and natural gas liquids. Industry-leading 
programs and effective supply planning 
also led to significant market share 
growth. The energy equipment business 
leveraged access to valuable equipment 
solutions, an online ordering platform 
and emphasis on alternative propane 
uses to bring in record revenues for the 
year. The CHS propane safety reimburse-
ment program, which gives financial 
support to propane marketers, helped 

CHS Transportation delivered strong 
return on assets in fiscal 2020, includ-
ing reporting record volumes for its 
Automated Fuel Delivery program. 
Managing employee safety and asset 
use while addressing COVID-19 chal-
lenges and seasonal demands called 
for strong collaboration across CHS 
businesses. CHS drivers showed their 
cooperative spirit as many shifted work 
locations, schedules, routes and load 
types to ensure owner product needs 
were met. Consistently performing in 
the top 10 percent of U.S. fleets for 
safety, CHS Transportation reported 
one of its best safety records in history 
in fiscal 2020 as its drivers logged 
more than 30 million miles and more 
than 350,000 deliveries. An investment 
in new in-cab computer systems and 
paperless documents will help ensure 
compliance with changing federal 
regulations and increase efficiency for 
CHS and its transportation customers.

CHS 2020      5

CHS Agronomy successfully navigated 
pandemic challenges, finishing the 
fiscal year with record-high crop 
nutrient volumes and crop protection 
revenues. Maintaining emphasis on its 
branded proprietary crop protection 
product line and building relationships 
with strategic retail customers helped 
drive 12 percent year-over-year internal 
growth in crop protection revenues 
while shipments of crop nutrients topped 
8 million tons. Continued alignment of 
the supply chain helped enable growth 
in all agronomy businesses. Coordinating 
wholesale and retail demand data and 
using increased scale delivered greater 
efficiency and sourcing advantages 
for cooperatives and growers.

More than 4 million crop acres benefit-
ted from a new line of soy-enhanced 
adjuvants formulated with refined 
soybean oil made from CHS owners’ 
soybeans. The adjuvant — available to 
growers as CHS Acuvant™ from CHS 
Country Operations and to retailers as 
Petrichor™ from CHS Agronomy — 
completed its first full season of 
availability. CHS received a patent for 
its proprietary Levesol® formulation 
that includes a unique chelate to make 
phosphorus more available to crops and 
powers a suite of products including 
Trivar™, a new enhanced-efficiency 
solution for dry phosphate fertilizers.

CHS investment in a balanced supply 
chain including CF Nitrogen and 
import assets was maximized with 
a new agreement with The Mosaic 
Company to supply urea for sale in 
Brazil. Shifting market dynamics led to 
the sale of the Mermentau, La., CHS crop 
nutrients facility to allow more effective 
use of other facilities in the system.

Executing on its strategy to expand its 
customer-focused retail solutions plat-
form, CHS Country Operations deliv-
ered strong annual revenues and growth 
while reducing operating costs through 

a focus on efficiency, including improved 
coordination across business areas to 
enable integrated competitive sourcing. 
Favorable growing conditions in most 
regions supported the strong perfor-
mance despite market challenges related 
to the pandemic and the continued 
difficult ag economy. Leading enterprise 
efforts to advance customer experience 
through enhanced service, support and 
technology, CHS Country Operations 
enhanced its MyCHS and Agellum® plat-
forms, empowering growers with tools 
to focus on productivity and profitability 
and access account information to 
enable day-to-day business decisions.

The value-added CHS Animal Nutrition 
portfolio provided a strong return 
on assets with improved nutrition 
solutions for beef, dairy and other 
livestock producers. Quality and 
process advances, specialized training 
and a focus on sales and marketing 
helped build market share for trusted 
Payback® and Equis® feed brands.

Ventura Foods, LLC, is a joint venture 
between CHS and Mitsui, Inc., and a 
leader in oils, dressings, sauces, mayon-
naises and margarines for foodservice 
and retail customers in more than 60 
countries. In fiscal 2020, Ventura Foods 
increased its presence in Latin America 
by establishing a co-manufacturing 
partner in Mexico. Ventura Foods also 
launched Culinaire™, a new line of 
dressings, sauces and mayonnaises for 
international distribution to foodservice, 
wholesale and retail customers.

Ardent Mills, LLC, a CHS joint venture 
with Cargill Incorporated and Conagra 
Brands, pursued its growth strategy 
with acquisitions of a Klamath Falls, 
Ore., organic facility and the Andean 
Naturals quinoa business. CHS con-
tinues as the largest wheat supplier 
to Ardent Mills, providing 51 million 
bushels as a key ingredient in innovative, 
nutritious grain-based food products.

6      CHS 2020

12 PERCENT GROWTH 
IN CROP PROTECTION 
REVENUES

CHS 2020      7

MATCHING 
GRANTS 
SUPPORTED 
360 RURAL 
COMMUNITIES

8      CHS 2020

CHS introduced new policies to help the 
company effectively manage trading 
risk in complex and highly regulated 
marketplaces. These policies will encour-
age principle-based performance 
and intelligent risk management.

CHS demonstrated its commitment 
to compliance and integrity creating 
an integrity champions program in 
key international markets that gives 
employees additional communications 
and training to promote a culture of 
integrity, improve risk detection and 
strengthen the company’s first line 
of defense for compliance concerns. 
Integrity champion networks will expand 
across U.S. locations over the next two 
years. A new online policy center helps 
CHS employees access current infor-
mation, including the new unmanned 
aircraft system (drone) program that 
helps ensure this valuable technology 
can be used effectively to enhance 
safety and monitoring at CHS facilities.

Collaboration across all areas of the 
company around the globe helped 
ensure the well-being of employees, 
owners, customers and communities 
as the organization responded to risks 
related to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Software-assisted monitoring and 
response protocols helped track supplies 
of personal protective equipment (PPE) 
and sanitation materials, and manage 
business continuity and employee move-
ment, including shifting many employees 
to remote work and keeping employees 
remaining in the workplace safe.

Enhanced focus on the CHS value of 
safety across all businesses led to 
significant improvements in key safety 
metrics, including recording the lowest 
injury and crash rates in company his-
tory and reductions of 24 to 33 percent 
over three-year averages for recordable 
lost-time and injury data, respectively.

A companywide commitment to 
continuous improvement gained 
momentum during the year as a 

significant portion of CHS employees 
completed Lean training and began 
applying the approach. The Lean 
model is a collaborative approach to 
employee-driven process improvement.

CHS Government Affairs helped 
navigate rapidly changing federal, state 
and local rules and regulations related 
to the pandemic. The team facilitated 
connections between CHS owners 
and leaders and key Washington, D.C., 
policymakers on issues ranging from 
international trade and taxes to funding 
for crucial infrastructure. The team 
continued to help lead advocacy efforts 
to preserve Section 199A (DPAD) tax 
benefits for CHS and its owners.

CHS Community Giving exceeded 
its three-year goals for supporting 
safety and community well-being 
by providing safety equipment and 
training to first responders in 450 
communities and delivering matching 
grants to 360 communities, including 
grants for COVID-19 relief efforts. 
The CHS Foundation exceeded its 
three-year goals to develop future ag 
leaders by supporting 6,000 students 
through scholarships and university 
support and better preparing more 
than 72,000 students for ag careers.

Nearly 300 current and future member 
cooperative leaders participated in 
Cooperative Leadership Academy 
programs offered by CHS Cooperative 
Resources in fiscal 2020. To continue 
learning and development opportunities 
during the global pandemic and beyond, 
virtual options were developed and 
implemented for nearly all Cooperative 
Leadership Academy programs.

A multimedia CHS brand campaign 
demonstrating the benefits of cooper-
ative ownership launched in early fiscal 
2020. The campaign reminds stake-
holders of the value of working with 
a cooperative connected to CHS and 
brings to life the CHS purpose of creat-
ing connections to empower agriculture.

CHS 2020      9

FISCAL 2020 FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

REVENUES
($ in billions)

NET INCOME
($ in millions)

829.9

775.9

422.4

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

383.2

71.6

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

32.0

32.7

31.9

30.4

28.4

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

CASH RETURN
($ in millions)

Cash patronage

Equity redemption

Preferred stock dividends

515.7

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

326.8

330.0

355.2

177.5

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

10      CHS 2020

NET INCOME DECLINED IN FISCAL 2020, 
DUE TO PANDEMIC-RELATED MARKET 
SWINGS AND POOR WEATHER

Consolidated net income decreased in 
fiscal 2020 versus fiscal 2019, despite 
strong performance by our propane 
business and improved weather 
conditions during the 2020 planting 
season, which drove increased earnings 
across much of our Ag segment for the 
second half of fiscal 2020. Challenging 
market conditions in our refined fuels 
business, primarily driven by the 
COVID-19 pandemic, resulted in volume 
and price declines compared with the 
previous year. Poor weather for the 
2019 harvest reduced grain quality and 
crop nutrient sales for fall applications, 
reducing revenues for our Ag segment 
in the first half of fiscal 2020.

CHS reported net income of $422.4 
million for fiscal 2020 (Sept. 1, 2019, 
through Aug. 31, 2020) compared with 
$829.9 million in net income reported 
in fiscal 2019 (Sept. 1, 2018, through 
Aug. 31, 2019). Consolidated revenues 
totaled $28.4 billion for fiscal 2020, 
compared with $31.9 billion recorded 
in fiscal 2019. Pretax income of $386.9 
million for fiscal 2020 was a significant 
decrease from the $815.6 million in 
pretax income reported in fiscal 2019. 

Energy

In Energy, year-over-year income before 
income taxes decreased by $392.9 
million to $225.3 million, reflecting 
significantly less advantageous 
market conditions in our refined fuels 
business that reduced margins and 
volumes. These market conditions 

were driven by decreased crude oil 
differentials on heavy Canadian crude 
oil processed by our refineries and 
decreased crack spreads, which were 
negatively affected by demand shocks 
associated with COVID-19. Increased 
propane volumes and improved 
propane margins in fiscal 2020 were 
supported by significant demand for 
propane to dry crops and heat homes 
and businesses during the cold, wet 
weather at the close of calendar 2019 
and helped partially offset decreased 
overall earnings. Energy segment 
results reflected positive resolution 
of an $80.8 million gain contingency 
associated with a tax credit in fiscal 
2019 that did not reoccur in fiscal 2020.

Ag

The Ag segment, which includes global 
grain marketing, country operations, 
wholesale agronomy, processing and 
food ingredients and renewable fuels, 
recorded income before income taxes 
in fiscal 2020 of $53.7 million, a $10.7 
million increase over fiscal 2019. Poor 
fall harvest conditions in calendar 2019 
reduced grain volumes and ongoing 
global trade tensions limited revenues 
in the first half of fiscal 2020. Many 
of those conditions improved in the 
second half of the fiscal year, however, 
as optimism over improved trade 
relations between the United States and 
foreign trade partners and favorable 
spring planting conditions improved 
margins across certain Ag business 

segments, including feed and farm 
supplies, grain, and renewable fuels. 
Results were tempered somewhat by 
declining agronomy margins due to 
oversupply in the market and reduced 
margins in processing and food 
ingredients as a result of disruptions 
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional Segments and Categories

The Nitrogen Production segment, 
which consists solely of our investment 
in CF Nitrogen, generated $51.8 
million in income before income taxes, 
a $21.0 million decrease from fiscal 
2019. The decrease reflects reduced 
sale prices of urea and UAN, which are 
produced and sold by CF Nitrogen.

Corporate and Other recorded income 
before income taxes of $56.0 million, 
a $25.5 million decrease from fiscal 
2019. The earnings decrease reflects 
lower income from our Ventura Foods, 
LLC, joint venture, which experienced 
significantly reduced demand in the 
foodservice industry due to the COVID-19 
pandemic. Income also declined in our 
financing and brokerage businesses as 
a result of lower interest rates during fis-
cal 2020 compared to the previous year.

Based on fiscal 2020 earnings, 
CHS expects to return an estimated 
$30 million in cash patronage and 
$33 million in equity redemptions 
to member cooperatives and 
individual owners in fiscal 2021.

CHS 2020      11

10NOV202015370565

AUGUST 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ASSETS

Current assets:

2020

2019

Cash and cash equivalents

$

140,874

$

211,179

Receivables

Inventories

Other current assets

Total current assets

Investments

Property, plant and equipment

Other assets

Total assets

LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES

Current liabilities:

Notes payable

Current portion of long-term debt

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses

Other current liabilities

Total current liabilities

Long-term debt

Other liabilities

Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)

Equities:

Preferred stock

Equity certificates

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Capital reserves

Total CHS Inc. equities

Noncontrolling interests

Total equities

Total liabilities and equities

2,366,047

2,742,138

1,017,488

6,266,547

3,630,033

4,957,938

1,139,429

2,731,209

2,854,288

865,919

6,662,595

3,683,996

5,088,708

1,012,195

$

15,993,947

$

16,447,494

$

1,575,491

$

2,156,108

189,287

1,724,516

501,904

928,843

4,920,041

1,601,836

652,897

2,264,038

5,161,610

(233,924)

1,618,147

8,809,871

9,302

8,819,173

39,210

1,931,415

555,323

901,651

5,583,707

1,749,901

496,356

2,264,038

4,988,877

(226,933)

1,584,158

8,610,140

7,390

8,617,530

$

15,993,947

$

16,447,494

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CHS Inc. and Subsidiaries

12

CHS 2020

12

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Revenues

Cost of goods sold

Gross profit

Marketing, general and administrative expenses

Operating earnings

Gain on disposal of business

Interest expense

Other income

Equity income from investments

Income before income taxes

Income tax benefit

Net income

Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10NOV202015373387

2020

2019

2018

$ 28,406,365

$ 31,900,453

$ 32,683,347

27,424,558

30,516,120

31,591,227

981,807

704,542

277,265

(1,450)

116,977

(38,425)

(186,715)

386,878

(36,731)

423,609

1,170

1,384,333

1,092,120

724,731

659,602

(3,886)

167,065

(82,423)

(236,755)

815,601

(12,456)

828,057

(1,823)

639,756

452,364

(131,816)

149,202

(82,737)

(153,515)

671,230

(104,076)

775,306

(601)

Net income attributable to CHS Inc.

$

422,439

$

829,880

$

775,907

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CHS Inc. and Subsidiaries

10NOV202015370962

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Net income

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

Pension and other postretirement benefits

Unrealized net loss on available-for-sale investments

Cash flow hedges

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests

2020

2019

2018

$

423,609

$

828,057

$

775,306

12,798

—

(4,411)

(15,378)

(6,991)

416,618

1,170

(32,559)

—

20,196

(9,949)

(22,312)

805,745

(1,823)

20,066

(3,148)

2,540

(12,021)

7,437

782,743

(601)

Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc.

$

415,448

$

807,568

$

783,344

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CHS Inc. and Subsidiaries

13

CHS 2020

13

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

10NOV202015370831

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020, 2019 AND 2018

EQUITY CERTIFICATES

CAPITAL
EQUITY
CERTIFICATES

NONPATRONAGE
EQUITY
CERTIFICATES

NONQUALIFIED
EQUITY
CERTIFICATES

BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 2017

$ 3,906,426

$ 29,836

$ 405,387

Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates

Distribution of 2017 patronage refunds

Redemptions of equities

Preferred stock dividends

Other, net

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves

Estimated 2018 patronage refunds

Estimated 2018 equity redemptions

BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 2018

Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates

Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds

Redemptions of equities

Preferred stock dividends

Other, net

Net income (loss)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves

Estimated 2019 patronage refunds

Estimated 2019 equity redemptions

BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 2019

Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates

Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds

Redemptions of equities

Preferred stock dividends

ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment

Other, net

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Estimated 2020 patronage refunds

Estimated 2020 equity redemptions

6,058

—

(6,064)

—

(3,840)

—

—

—

—

(65,000)

3,837,580

78,941

—

(70,859)

—

(2,169)

—

—

—

—

(90,000)

3,753,493

80,000

—

(80,133)

—

—

(1,173)

—

—

—

(28,000)

—

—

(185)

—

(153)

—

—

—

—

—

29,498

—

—

(409)

—

(15)

—

—

—

—

—

29,074

—

—

(340)

—

—

(7)

—

—

—

—

(126,333)

128,831

(476)

—

(361)

—

—

—

345,330

(10,000)

742,378

(345,330)

352,980

(14,272)

—

(1,844)

—

—

—

472,398

—

1,206,310

(462,398)

474,407

(15,965)

—

—

(628)

—

—

211,970

(5,000)

BALANCES, AUGUST 31, 2020

$ 3,724,187

$ 28,727

$ 1,408,696

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CHS Inc. and Subsidiaries

14

CHS 2020

14

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020, 2019 AND 2018

PREFERRED
STOCK

ACCUMULATED OTHER
COMPREHENSIVE
LOSS

CAPITAL
RESERVES

NONCONTROLLING
INTERESTS

TOTAL
EQUITIES

$ 2,264,038

$ (180,360)

$ 1,267,808

$

12,505

$ 7,705,640

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

7,437

(26,992)

—

—

126,333

(128,831)

—

(168,668)

2,792

775,907

—

26,992

(420,330)

—

—

—

—

—

(2,458)

(601)

—

—

—

—

2,264,038

(199,915)

1,482,003

9,446

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(22,312)

(4,706)

—

—

2,264,038

(226,933)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

(6,991)

—

—

420,330

(428,756)

—

(168,668)

7,061

829,880

—

4,706

(562,398)

—

1,584,158

562,398

(564,522)

—

(168,668)

25,320

(1,008)

422,439

—

(241,970)

—

—

—

—

—

(233)

(1,823)

—

—

—

—

7,390

—

—

—

—

—

742

1,170

—

—

—

6,058

—

(6,725)

(168,668)

(4,020)

775,306

7,437

—

(75,000)

(75,000)

8,165,028

153,941

(75,776)

(85,540)

(168,668)

2,800

828,057

(22,312)

—

(90,000)

(90,000)

8,617,530

180,000

(90,115)

(96,438)

(168,668)

25,320

(2,074)

423,609

(6,991)

(30,000)

(33,000)

$ 2,264,038

$ (233,924)

$

1,618,147

$

9,302

$ 8,819,173

15

CHS 2020

15

10NOV202015370699

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in)

operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred major

maintenance

Equity (income) loss from investments, net of distributions received

Provision for doubtful accounts

Gain/recovery on disposal of business

Deferred taxes

Other, net

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

Receivables

Inventories

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Other, net

Net cash provided by operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities:

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from sale of business

Expenditures for major maintenance

Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net

Financing extended to customers

Payments from customer financing

Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

Other investing activities, net

Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities:

2020

2019

2018

$

423,609

$

828,057

$

775,306

550,251

49,130

3,418

(1,450)

(32,761)

(1,642)

308,399

104,884

(330,949)

14,340

1,087,229

(418,359)

32,670

1,139

(14,496)

119,591

(6,386)

35,791

231

6,114

(243,705)

541,507

12,560

57,745

(3,886)

(13,852)

6,094

(218,192)

284,694

(38,229)

(316,567)

1,139,931

(443,216)

53,974

5,044

(232,094)

(10,903)

(12,210)

90,193

(119,421)

7,350

(661,283)

539,736

36,782

2,085

(131,816)

(146,961)

(3,699)

210,775

(169,581)

(78,388)

40,258

1,074,497

(355,412)

91,153

234,914

(80,514)

25,335

(74,402)

52,453

—

26,949

(79,524)

Proceeds from notes payable and long-term borrowings

Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations

24,343,870

(24,948,926)

29,071,363

(29,450,339)

36,040,240

(36,525,136)

Preferred stock dividends paid

Redemptions of equities

Cash patronage dividends paid

Other financing activities, net

Net cash used in financing activities

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

Supplemental cash flow information:

Cash paid for interest

Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds

Other significant noncash investing and financing transactions:

Notes receivable reacquired under securitization facility

Trade receivables reacquired under securitization facility

Securitized debt reacquired under securitization facility

Deferred purchase price receivable extinguished under securitization facility

Capital expenditures and major maintenance incurred but not yet paid

$

$

Finance lease obligations incurred

Accrual of dividends and equities payable

Assets contributed to joint venture

(168,668)

(96,438)

(90,115)

29,129

(931,148)

4,942

(82,682)

299,675

216,993

119,354

6,840

—

—

—

—

14,906

11,190

63,000

—

$

$

(168,668)

(85,540)

(75,776)

(16,686)

(725,646)

2,733

(244,265)

543,940

299,675

172,259

19,918

—

—

—

—

28,478

7,351

180,000

7,353

$

$

(168,668)

(8,847)

—

(69,759)

(732,170)

8,864

271,667

272,273

543,940

148,874

13,410

615,089

402,421

634,000

386,900

53,453

396

153,941

—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CHS Inc. and Subsidiaries

16

CHS 2020

16

10NOV202015372495

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Organization
CHS  Inc.  (referred  to  herein  as  ‘‘CHS,’’  ‘‘we,’’  ‘‘us’’  or
‘‘our’’)  is  the  nation’s  leading  integrated  agricultural
cooperative. As a cooperative, CHS is owned by farmers
and  ranchers  and  their  member  cooperatives  (‘‘mem-
bers’’) across the United States. We also have preferred
shareholders  that  own  shares  of  our  various  series  of
preferred stock, which are each listed and traded on the
Global Select Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC
(‘‘The Nasdaq’’). See Note 12, Equities, for more detailed
information.

We  buy  commodities  from  and  provide  products  and
services to individual agricultural producers, local coop-
eratives  and  other  companies  (including  member  and
other nonmember customers), both domestic and inter-
national.  Those  products  and  services  include  initial
agricultural  inputs  such  as  fuels,  farm  supplies,  crop
nutrients and crop protection products; as well as agri-
cultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, grain
and oilseed processing and food products, and ethanol
production and marketing. A portion of our operations
are  conducted  through  equity  investments  and  joint
ventures whose operating results are not fully consoli-
dated with our results; rather, a proportionate share of
the income or loss from those entities is included as a
component in our net income under the equity method
of accounting.

Basis of Presentation
The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the
accounts  of  CHS  and  all  our  subsidiaries  and  limited
liability  companies  in  which  we  have  a  controlling
interest.  The  effects  of  all  significant  intercompany
transactions have been eliminated.

The notes to our consolidated financial statements refer
to our Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production reportable
segments, as well as our Corporate and Other category,
which represents an aggregation of individually imma-
terial  operating  segments.  The  Nitrogen  Production
reportable segment results from our investment in CF
Industries Nitrogen, LLC (‘‘CF Nitrogen’’). See Note 14,
Segment Reporting, for more information.

Certain  captions  within  the  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets,  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  and
Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  have  been
combined within other captions as allowed by Securities

statement
and  Exchange  Commission 
reporting requirements under Regulation S-X. Prior year
information has been updated to conform with the cur-
rent presentation.

financial 

Use of Estimates
The  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  conformity
with  U.S.  GAAP  requires  management  to  make  esti-
mates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported
amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of con-
tingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and
expenses during the reporting period. We base our esti-
mates on assumptions that are believed to be reason-
able,  the  results  of  which  form  the  basis  for  making
judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabil-
ities. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making
estimates,  actual  results  could  differ  from  those  esti-
mates. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on
an ongoing basis.

Significant Accounting Policies
Significant  accounting  policies  are  summarized  below
or within the related notes to our consolidated financial
statements.

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
Cash  equivalents  include  short-term,  highly  liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or
less at the date of acquisition. The fair value of cash and
cash equivalents approximates the carrying value due to
the short-term nature of the instruments.

Restricted cash is included in our Consolidated Balance
Sheets within other current assets (current portion) and
other assets (noncurrent portion), as appropriate, and
primarily  relates  to  customer  deposits  for  futures  and
option  contracts  associated  with  regulated  commodi-
ties held in separate accounts as required under federal
and other regulations. Pursuant to the requirements of
the Commodity Exchange Act, such funds must be car-
ried in separate accounts that are designated as segre-
gated customer accounts, as applicable. Restricted cash
also  includes  funds  held  in  escrow  pursuant  to  appli-
cable regulations limiting their usage.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and
cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within
our Consolidated Balance Sheets that aggregates to the

17

CHS 2020

17

ONE: O rg a n i z at i o n ,  B a s i s  of  P re s e n t at i o n  a n d  S i g n i f i c a n t  Acco u n t i n g  Po l i c i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

amount  presented  in  our  Consolidated  Statements  of
Cash Flows.

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

AUGUST 31,

Cash and cash
equivalents

Restricted cash

included in other
current assets

Restricted cash

included in other
assets

Total cash and cash
equivalents and
restricted cash

$

140,874 $

211,179 $

450,617

76,119

88,496

90,193

—

—

3,130

$

216,993 $ 299,675 $ 543,940

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Except  for  the  recent  accounting  pronouncements
described  below,  other  recent  accounting  pronounce-
ments are not expected to have a material impact on our
condensed consolidated financial statements.

Adopted
We  adopted  Accounting  Standards  Codification
(‘‘ASC’’) Topic 842, Leases (‘‘ASC Topic 842’’), as of Sep-
tember  1,  2019,  using  the  modified  retrospective
approach. In addition, we used the additional optional
transition method and package of practical expedients
in the period of adoption without retrospective adjust-
ment  to  previous  periods  presented,  although  we
elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient
available  under  the  standard.  As  a  result  of  using  the
modified retrospective method, prior periods have not
been  restated,  and  a  $25.3  million  cumulative-effect
adjustment, including the deferred income tax impact,
was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital
reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition
of  previously  deferred  gains  associated  with  the

sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building
located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Additionally,
adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in the recognition of
operating lease right-of-use assets and associated lease
liabilities  of  $268.4  million  and  $267.0  million,  respec-
tively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic
842 did not have a material impact on our Consolidated
Statements of Operations or Consolidated Statements
of Cash Flows. Additional information and further dis-
closures related to our leases and lease-related financial
statement amounts are included within Note 19, Leases.

Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(‘‘FASB’’) issued Accounting Standards Update (‘‘ASU’’)
No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (‘‘ASC
Topic 326’’): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial
Instruments. The amendments in this ASU introduce a
new  approach,  based  on  expected  losses,  to  estimate
credit losses on certain types of financial instruments.
This  ASU  is  intended  to  provide  financial  statement
users with more decision-useful information about the
expected  credit  losses  associated  with  most  financial
assets  measured  at  amortized  cost  and  certain  other
instruments,  including  trade  and  other  receivables,
loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments
in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Enti-
ties are required to apply the provisions of this ASU as a
cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of
capital reserves as of the beginning of the first reporting
period  in  which  the  guidance  is  adopted.  This  ASU  is
effective  for  us  beginning  September  1,  2020,  for  our
fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal
year. Based on various data-gathering activities, devel-
opment  of  a  credit  losses  model,  data  analyses  and
accounting  policy  election  determinations,  the  impact
of adoption is not expected to have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements.

10NOV202015374146

Revenues

We  provide  a  wide  variety  of  products  and  services,
from agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies and
agronomy products, to agricultural outputs that include

grain  and  oilseed,  processed  grains  and  oilseeds  and
food  products,  and  renewable  fuels  production  and
marketing.  We  primarily  conduct  our  operations  and

18

CHS 2020

18

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

derive  revenues  within  our  Energy  and  Ag  segments.
Our  Energy  segment  derives  its  revenues  through
refining,  wholesaling  and  retailing  of  petroleum  prod-
ucts. Our Ag segment derives its revenues through orig-
ination  and  marketing  of  grain,  including  service
activities  conducted  at  export  terminals;  through
wholesale  sales  of  agronomy  products  and  processed
sunflowers; from sales of soybean meal, soybean refined
oil and soyflour products; through production and mar-
keting  of  renewable  fuels;  and  through  retail  sales  of
petroleum and agronomy products, and feed and farm
supplies. Corporate and Other primarily consists of our
financing and hedging businesses.

Revenue  is  recognized  when  performance  obligations
under the terms of a contract with a customer are satis-
fied, which generally occurs when control of the goods
has  transferred  to  customers  in  accordance  with  the
underlying  contract.  For  the  majority  of  our  contracts
with  customers,  control  transfers  to  customers  at  a
point in time when goods/services have been delivered,
as that is generally when legal title, physical possession
and risks and rewards of ownership of the goods/ser-
vices transfer to the customer. In limited arrangements,
control transfers over time as the customer simultane-
ously receives and consumes the benefits of the service
as we complete our performance obligation(s). Revenue
is recognized as the transaction price we expect to be
entitled  to  in  exchange  for  transferring  goods  or  ser-
vices  to  a  customer,  excluding  amounts  collected  on
behalf of third parties. For physically settled derivative
sales contracts that are outside the scope of the revenue
guidance,  we  recognize  revenue  when  control  of  the
inventory is transferred within the meaning of ASC Topic
606,  Revenue  from  Contracts  with  Customers  (‘‘ASC
Topic 606’’). Revenues arising from our financing busi-
ness are recognized in accordance with ASC Topic 470,

REPORTABLE SEGMENT*
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Energy

Ag

Corporate and Other

Total revenues

Debt (‘‘ASC Topic 470’’), and fall outside the scope of
ASC Topic 606.

Shipping and Handling Costs
Shipping and handling amounts billed to a customer as
part of a sales transaction are included in revenues, and
the  related  costs  are  included  in  cost  of  goods  sold.
Shipping and handling is treated as a fulfillment activity
rather than a promised service, and therefore is not con-
sidered a separate performance obligation.

Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to
Governmental Authorities
Revenues are recorded net of taxes collected from cus-
tomers  that  are  remitted  to  governmental  authorities,
with  the  collected  taxes  recorded  as  current  liabilities
until remitted to the relevant government authority.

Contract Costs
Commissions related to contracts with a duration of less
than one year are expensed as incurred. We recognize
incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense
when incurred if the amortization period of the assets
we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less.

Disaggregation of Revenues
The following table presents revenues recognized under
ASC Topic 606 disaggregated by reportable segment,
as  well  as  the  amount  of  revenues  recognized  under
ASC  Topic  815,  Derivatives  and  Hedging  (‘‘ASC
Topic 815’’), and other applicable accounting guidance
for  the  year  ended  August  31,  2020  and  2019.  Other
applicable accounting guidance primarily includes reve-
nues  recognized  under  ASC  Topic  842  and  ASC
Topic 470 that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606.

YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2020

ASC TOPIC 606

ASC TOPIC 815

OTHER
GUIDANCE

TOTAL
REVENUES

$ 4,833,003

$

598,131

$

— $

5,431,134

5,963,198

16,901,258

22,903

—

61,643

26,229

22,926,099

49,132

$ 10,819,104

$ 17,499,389

$

87,872

$ 28,406,365

19

CHS 2020

19

TWO: R eve n u e s ,  co n t i n u e d

REPORTABLE SEGMENT*
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Energy

Ag

Corporate and Other

Total revenues

YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2019

ASC TOPIC 606

ASC TOPIC 815

OTHER
GUIDANCE

TOTAL
REVENUES

$

6,393,075

$

726,001

$

— $

7,119,076

6,319,304

18,268,977

20,262

—

131,791

41,043

24,720,072

61,305

$

12,732,641

$

18,994,978

$

172,834

$

31,900,453

*

Our  Nitrogen  Production  reportable  segment  represents  an  equity  method  investment  that  records  earnings  and  allocated
expenses, but not revenues.

Less than 1% of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic
606 included within the table above are recorded over
time and relate primarily to service contracts.

within  our  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  and  were
immaterial as of August 31, 2020 and 2019.

Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities
Contract assets relate to unbilled amounts arising from
goods  that  have  already  been  transferred  to  the  cus-
tomer where the right to payment is not conditional on
the passage of time. This results in the recognition of an
asset, as the amount of revenue recognized at a certain
point in time exceeds the amount billed to the customer.
Contract  assets  are  recorded  in  accounts  receivable

Contract  liabilities  relate  to  advance  payments  from
customers for goods and services that we have yet to
provide.  Contract 
liabilities  of  $139.1  million  and
$207.5 million as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, respec-
tively, are recorded within other current liabilities on our
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  For  the  years  ended
August 31, 2020 and 2019, we recognized revenues of
$194.8  million  and  $170.7  million,  respectively,  which
were included in the other current liabilities balance at
the beginning of the period.

10NOV202015373767

Receivables

Receivables as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Trade accounts receivable

$ 1,476,585 $ 1,803,284

CHS Capital short-term notes

receivable

Other

563,934

592,909

491,068

511,821

Gross receivables

2,531,587

2,908,014

Less allowances and reserves

165,540

176,805

Total receivables

$ 2,366,047 $ 2,731,209

Trade Accounts Receivable
Trade  accounts  receivable  are  initially  recorded  at  a
selling price that approximates fair value upon the sale
of goods or services to customers. Subsequently, trade
accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value,
which includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible

amounts. We calculate this allowance based on our his-
tory  of  write-offs,  level  of  past  due  accounts  and  our
relationships with and the economic status of our cus-
tomers. Receivables from related parties are disclosed in
Note 18, Related Party Transactions. No third-party cus-
tomer accounted for more than 10% of the total receiv-
ables balance as of August 31, 2020 or 2019.

CHS Capital Notes Receivable
Notes Receivable
CHS  Capital,  LLC  (‘‘CHS  Capital’’),  our  wholly-owned
subsidiary, has short-term notes receivable from com-
mercial and producer borrowers. The short-term notes
receivable have maturity terms of 12 months or less and
are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal bal-
ances, adjusted for the allowance of loan losses, as CHS
Capital has the intent and ability to hold the applicable

20

CHS 2020

20

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

loans  for  the  foreseeable  future  or  until  maturity  or
pay-off.  The  carrying  value  of  CHS  Capital  short-term
notes  receivable  approximates  fair  value  given  the
notes’  short-term  duration  and  use  of  market  pricing
adjusted for risk.

Notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collat-
eralized  by  various  combinations  of  mortgages,  per-
sonal  property,  accounts  and  notes 
receivable,
inventories and assignments of certain regional cooper-
ative’s capital stock. These loans are primarily originated
in  the  states  of  North  Dakota  and  Minnesota.  CHS
Capital  also  has  loans  receivable  from  producer  bor-
rowers that are collateralized by various combinations
of  growing  crops,  livestock,  inventories,  accounts
receivable,  personal  property  and  supplemental  mort-
gages and are originated in the same states as the com-
mercial notes.

In  addition  to  the  short-term  balances  included  in  the
table  above,  CHS  Capital  had  long-term  notes  receiv-
able, with durations of generally not more than 10 years,
totaling $101.5 million and $180.0 million at August  31,
2020  and  2019,  respectively.  The  long-term  notes
receivable are included in other assets on our Consoli-
dated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2020 and 2019,
commercial  notes  represented  33%  and  41%,  respec-
tively,  and  producer  notes  represented  67%  and  59%,
respectively, of total CHS Capital notes receivable.

CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to cus-
tomers  if  there  are  no  violations  of  any  contractually
established  conditions.  As  of  August  31,  2020,  CHS
Capital  customers  had  additional  available  credit  of
$714.5 million.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Impairments
CHS Capital maintains an allowance for loan losses that
is an estimate of potential incurred losses inherent in the
loans receivable portfolio. In accordance with FASB ASC
450-20,  Accounting  for  Loss  Contingencies,  and  ASC
310-10,  Accounting  by  Creditors  for  Impairment  of  a
Loan, the allowance for loan losses consists of general
and  specific  components.  The  general  component  is
based on historical loss experience and qualitative fac-
tors  addressing  operational  risks  and  industry  trends.
The specific component relates to loans receivable that
are classified as impaired. Additions to the allowance for
loan losses are reflected within marketing, general and
administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements

of Operations. The portion of loans receivable deemed
uncollectible  is  charged  off  against  the  allowance.
Recoveries of previously charged off amounts increase
the allowance for loan losses. No significant amounts of
CHS Capital notes were past due as of August 31, 2020
or  2019,  and  specific  and  general  loan  loss  reserves
related  to  CHS  Capital  notes  were  not  material  as  of
either date.

Interest Income
Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using
a method that computes simple interest on a daily basis.
Accrual  of  interest  on  commercial  loans  receivable  is
discontinued at the time the receivable is 90 days past
due unless the credit is well-collateralized and in process
of  collection.  Past  due  status  is  based  on  contractual
terms of the loan. Producer loans receivable are placed
in  nonaccrual  status  based  on  estimates  and  analysis
due to the annual debt service terms inherent to CHS
Capital’s producer loans. In all cases, loans are placed in
nonaccrual  status  or  charged  off  at  an  earlier  date  if
collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful.

Troubled Debt Restructurings
Restructuring  of  a  loan  constitutes  a  troubled  debt
restructuring,  or  restructured  loan,  if  the  creditor  for
economic reasons related to the debtor’s financial diffi-
culties grants a concession to the debtor that it would
otherwise  not  consider.  Concessions  vary  by  program
and  borrower.  Concessions  may  include  interest  rate
reductions,  term  extensions,  payment  deferrals  or  the
acceptance of additional collateral in lieu of payments.
In  limited  circumstances,  principal  may  be  forgiven.
When  a  restructured  loan  constitutes  a  troubled  debt
restructuring,  CHS  includes  these  loans  within  its
impaired loans. CHS Capital had no significant troubled
debt  restructurings  and  no  third-party  borrowers  that
accounted for more than 10% of the total CHS Capital
notes  receivable  or  total  receivables  as  of  August  31,
2020 or 2019.

Loan Participations
For  the  years  ended  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  CHS
Capital  sold  $70.6  million  and  $92.3  million  of  notes
receivable, respectively, to various counterparties under
a master participation agreement. The sale resulted in
the removal of notes receivable from the Consolidated
Balance Sheet. CHS Capital has no retained interests in
the  transferred  notes  receivable,  other  than  collection
and  administrative  services.  Proceeds  from  sales  of

21

CHS 2020

21

THREE: R e ce i va b l e s ,  co n t i n u e d

notes receivable have been included in investing activi-
ties in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Fees
received related to the servicing of notes receivable are
recorded  in  other  income  in  the  Consolidated  State-
ments  of  Operations.  We  consider  the  fees  received
adequate  compensation  for  services  rendered  and,
accordingly, have recorded no servicing asset or liability.

Other Receivables
Other  receivables  are  comprised  of  certain  other
amounts  recorded  in  the  normal  course  of  business,
including receivables related to vendor rebates, value-
added taxes, certain financing receivables and pre-crop
financing,  primarily  to  Brazilian  farmers,  to  finance  a
portion  of  supplier  production  costs.  We  receive
volume-based rebates from certain vendors during the
year. These vendor rebates are accounted for in accor-
dance with ASC 705, Cost of Sales and Services, based

on the terms of the volume rebate program. For rebates
that meet the definition of a binding arrangement and
are  both  probable  and  estimable,  we  estimate  the
amount of the rebate we will receive and accrue it as a
reduction  of  the  cost  of  inventory  and  cost  of  goods
sold over the period in which the rebate is earned. For
pre-crop financing arrangements, we do not bear costs
or operational risks associated with the related growing
crops, although our ability to be paid depends on the
crops actually being produced. The financing is collater-
alized by future crops, land and physical assets of the
suppliers, carries a local market interest rate and settles
when the farmer’s crop is harvested and sold. No signifi-
cant  troubled  debt  restructurings  occurred  and  no
third-party  customer  or  borrower  accounted  for  more
than 10% of the total receivables balance as of August 31,
2020 or 2019.

10NOV202015371988

Inventories

Inventories  as  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  are  as
follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Grain and oilseed

$ 1,064,079 $ 1,024,645

Energy

Agronomy

696,858

717,378

822,535

954,037

Processed grain and oilseed

126,022

109,900

Other

32,644

48,328

Total inventories

$ 2,742,138 $ 2,854,288

Grain,  processed  grain,  oilseed,  processed  oilseed  and
other  minimally  processed  soy-based  inventories  are
stated at net realizable value. These inventories are agri-
cultural commodity inventories that are readily convert-
ible to cash because of their commodity characteristics,
widely  available  markets  and  international  pricing
mechanisms.  Agricultural  commodity  inventories  have
quoted  market  prices  in  active  markets,  may  be  sold
without significant further processing and have predict-
able and insignificant disposal costs. Changes in the net

realizable  value  of  merchandisable  agricultural  com-
modities  inventories  are  recognized  in  earnings  as  a
component of cost of goods sold.

All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or
net realizable value. Costs for inventories produced or
modified  by  us  through  a  manufacturing  process
include fixed and variable production and raw material
costs,  and  in-bound  freight  costs  for  raw  materials.
Costs  for  inventories  purchased  for  resale  include  the
cost of products and freight incurred to place the prod-
ucts at our points of sale. The costs of certain energy
inventories  (wholesale  refined  products,  crude  oil  and
asphalt) are determined on the last-in, first-out (‘‘LIFO’’)
method; all other inventories of nongrain products pur-
chased  for  resale  are  valued  on  the  first-in,  first-out
(‘‘FIFO’’) and average cost methods.

As  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  we  valued  approxi-
mately 16% of inventories, primarily crude oil and refined
fuels within our Energy segment, using the lower of cost,
determined on the LIFO method, or net realizable value.

22

CHS 2020

22

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inven-
tories  would  have  been  higher  than  the  reported
amount  by  $93.5  million  and  $215.0  million  as  of
August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the third
quarter of fiscal 2020, we experienced price declines in
our  energy  inventories  associated  with  the  COVID-19
pandemic. As a result, we recorded a noncash, lower of

cost or market charge of $42.0 million in cost of goods
sold to reduce the carrying value of our energy invento-
ries to their market value as of May 31, 2020. Based upon
market prices observed as of August 31, 2020, the lower
of  cost  or  market  reserve  was  decreased  by  approxi-
mately $34.0 million as prices improved while invento-
ries were sold.

10NOV202015371606

Other Current Assets

Other current assets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are
as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Derivative assets (Note 15)

$

371,195 $

253,341

Margin and related deposits

Supplier advance payments

Other

194,097

198,699

155,306

197,290

253,497

259,982

Total other current assets

$

1,017,488 $

865,919

Margin and Related Deposits
Many  of  our  derivative  contracts  with  futures  and
options brokers require us to make margin deposits of
cash or other assets. Subsequent margin deposits may
also be necessary when changes in commodity prices

result  in  a  loss  on  the  contract  value  to  comply  with
applicable regulations. Our margin and related deposit
assets are generally held in segregated accounts to sup-
port  the  associated  derivative  contracts  and  may  be
used to fund or partially fund the settlement of those
contracts as they expire. Similar to our derivative finan-
cial  instruments,  margin  and  related  deposits  are
reported on a gross basis.

Supplier Advance Payments
Supplier advance payments are typically for periods less
than 12 months and primarily include amounts paid for
grain  purchases  from  suppliers  and  amounts  paid  to
crop nutrient and crop protection product suppliers to
lock in future supply and pricing.

10NOV202015373260

Investments

Investments  as  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  are  as
follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Equity method investments:

CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC

$ 2,662,618 $ 2,708,942

Ventura Foods, LLC

381,351

374,516

Ardent Mills, LLC

208,927

209,027

Other equity method investments

Other investments

253,182

123,955

267,247

124,264

Total investments

$ 3,630,033 $ 3,683,996

Joint ventures and other investments in which we have
significant ownership and influence but not control, are

accounted for in our consolidated financial statements
using the equity method of accounting. Our significant
equity method investments consist of CF Nitrogen, Ven-
tura  Foods,  LLC  (‘‘Ventura  Foods’’),  and  Ardent
Mills, LLC (‘‘Ardent Mills’’), which are summarized below.
In  addition  to  the  recognition  of  our  share  of  income
from  our  equity  method  investments,  our  equity
method  investments  are  evaluated  for  indicators  of
other-than-temporary impairment on an ongoing basis
in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have approximately
$383.0  million  of  cumulative  undistributed  earnings
from our equity method investees included in the invest-
ments balance as of August 31, 2020.

23

CHS 2020

23

SIX: I nve st m e n t s ,  co n t i n u e d

All equity securities that do not result in consolidation
and are not accounted for under the equity method are
measured at fair value with changes therein reflected in
net income. We have elected to utilize the measurement
alternative  for  equity  investments  that  do  not  have
readily  determinable  fair  values  and  measure  these
investments  at  cost  less  impairment  plus  or  minus
observable  price  changes  in  orderly  transactions.  Our
share  in  the  income  or  loss  of  these  equity  method
investments  is  recorded  within  equity  (income)  loss
from  investments  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of
Operations.  Other  investments  consist  primarily  of
investments  in  cooperatives  without  readily  determi-
nable  fair  values  and  are  generally  recorded  at  cost,
unless an impairment or other observable market price
change occurs requiring an adjustment. Investments in
other cooperatives are recorded in a manner similar to
equity  investments  without  readily  determinable  fair
values, plus patronage dividends received in the form of
capital  stock  and  other  equities.  Patronage  dividends
are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold at the
time qualified written notices of allocation are received.
Investments in debt and equity instruments are carried
at amounts that approximate fair values.

CF Nitrogen
We have a $2.7 billion investment in CF Nitrogen, a stra-
tegic  venture  with  CF  Industries  Holdings,  Inc.  (‘‘CF
Industries’’). The investment consists of an approximate
10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF
Nitrogen. At the time we entered into the strategic ven-
ture, we also entered into a supply agreement that enti-
tles us to purchase up to 1.1 million tons of granular urea
and 580,000 tons of urea ammonium nitrate (‘‘UAN’’)
annually from CF Nitrogen for ratable delivery through
fiscal 2096. Our purchases under the supply agreement
are  based  on  prevailing  market  prices  and  we  receive
semi-annual cash distributions (in January and July of
each  year)  from  CF  Nitrogen  via  our  membership
interest.  These  distributions  are  based  on  actual
volumes  purchased  from  CF  Nitrogen  under  the  stra-
tegic  venture  and  will  have  the  effect  of  reducing  our
investment to zero over 80 years on a straight-line basis.
We account for this investment using the hypothetical
liquidation at book value method, recognizing our share
of  the  earnings  and  losses  of  CF  Nitrogen  as  equity
income  from  investments  in  our  Nitrogen  Production
segment based on our contractual claims on the entity’s
net assets pursuant to the liquidation provisions of CF
Nitrogen’s  Limited  Liability  Company  Agreement,
adjusted for the semi-annual cash distributions.

Cash  distributions  received  from  CF  Nitrogen  for  the
years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, were $174.3 mil-
lion and $186.5 million, respectively.

The  following  tables  provide  aggregate  summarized
financial  information  for  CF  Nitrogen  for  the  balance
sheets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and the state-
ments of operations for the 12 months ended August 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Current assets

Noncurrent assets

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

$

552,127 $

590,057

6,564,086

7,028,766

222,391

228,324

3,036

2,455

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

Net sales

$ 2,522,827 $ 2,894,795 $ 2,449,695

Gross profit

Net earnings

570,901

737,168

423,612

529,462

706,291

401,295

Earnings attributable

to CHS Inc.

127,954

160,373

106,895

Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills
We have a 50% interest in Ventura Foods, which is a joint
venture with Wilsey Foods, Inc., a majority-owned subsid-
iary of MBK USA Holdings, Inc., that produces and distrib-
utes primarily vegetable-oil-based products, and we have
a 12% interest in Ardent Mills, which is a joint venture with
Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Brands, Inc., and is the
largest flour miller in the United States. We account for
Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills as equity method invest-
ments included in Corporate and Other.

The  following  tables  provide  aggregate  summarized
financial information for our equity method investments
in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills for balance sheets as of
August 31, 2020 and 2019, and statements of operations
for the 12 months ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Current assets

Noncurrent assets

Current liabilities

$ 1,548,930 $ 1,469,003

2,461,886

2,327,217

628,440

535,579

Noncurrent liabilities

895,620

790,401

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

Net sales

$ 5,440,143 $ 5,752,368 $ 5,882,035

Gross profit

Net earnings

584,352

565,784

601,927

181,049

248,303

226,776

Earnings attributable

to CHS Inc.

48,927

69,157

46,069

Our investments in other equity method investees are
not significant in relation to our consolidated financial
statements, either individually or in the aggregate.

24

CHS 2020

24

10NOV202015372876

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Property, Plant and Equipment

As of August 31, 2020 and 2019, major classes of prop-
erty, plant and equipment, which include finance lease
assets, consisted of the amounts in the table below.

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

Land and land improvements

$

317,714 $

319,452

Buildings

1,110,490

1,079,073

Machinery and equipment

7,559,437

7,392,767

Office equipment and other

362,084

346,649

Construction in progress

310,901

329,297

Gross property, plant and

equipment

9,660,626

9,467,238

Less accumulated depreciation and

amortization

4,702,688

4,378,530

Total property, plant and

equipment

$ 4,957,938 $ 5,088,708

Property,  plant  and  equipment  are  stated  at  cost  less
accumulated depreciation and amortization. Deprecia-
tion and amortization are provided on the straight-line
method by charges to operations at rates based on the
expected useful lives of individual or groups of assets
(generally 15 to 20 years for land improvements; 20 to
40  years  for  buildings;  five  to  20  years  for  machinery
and equipment; and three to 10 years for office equip-
ment  and  other).  Expenditures  for  maintenance  and
minor repairs and renewals are expensed. We also capi-
talize and amortize eligible costs to acquire or develop
internal-use software that are incurred during the appli-
cation development stage. When assets are sold or oth-
erwise  disposed  of,  the  cost  and  related  accumulated
depreciation  and  amortization  are  removed  from  the
related  accounts  and  resulting  gains  or  losses  are
reflected in operations.

Depreciation expense, including amortization of finance
lease assets, for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019
and  2018,  was  $470.4  million,  $495.3  million  and
$475.8 million, respectively.

Property,  plant  and  equipment  and  other  long-lived
assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  when  events  or
changes  in  circumstances  indicate  that  the  carrying
amounts  may  not  be  recoverable  in  accordance  with
U.S. GAAP. This evaluation of recoverability is based on
various indicators, including the nature, future economic

benefits and geographic locations of the assets, histor-
ical or future profitability measures and other external
market conditions. If these indicators suggest the car-
rying amounts of an asset or asset group may not be
recoverable,  potential  impairment  is  evaluated  using
undiscounted  estimated  future  cash  flows.  Should  the
sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than
the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recog-
nized.  An  impairment  loss  would  be  measured  as  the
amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset
group exceeds its fair value. No significant impairments
were identified during fiscal 2020; however, as a result of
these  monitoring  activities,  our  Ag  segment  recorded
impairment charges of approximately $12.2 million asso-
ciated  with  certain  nonstrategic  long-lived  assets  that
ceased operation during fiscal 2019. These impairments
were included in marketing, general and administrative
expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

We  have  asset  retirement  obligations  with  respect  to
certain of our refineries and other assets due to various
legal obligations to clean and/or dispose of the compo-
nent  parts  at  the  time  they  are  retired.  In  most  cases,
these assets can be used for extended and indetermi-
nate  periods  of  time  if  they  are  properly  maintained
and/or upgraded. It is our practice and current intent to
maintain  refineries  and  related  assets  and  to  continue
making improvements to those assets based on techno-
logical advances. As a result, we believe our refineries
and related assets have indeterminate lives for purposes
of  estimating  asset  retirement  obligations  because
dates or ranges of dates upon which we would retire a
refinery  and  related  assets  cannot  reasonably  be  esti-
mated at this time. When a date or range of dates can
reasonably be estimated for the retirement of any com-
ponent part of a refinery or other asset, we estimate the
cost of performing the retirement activities and record a
liability for the fair value of that future cost.

We have other assets that we may be obligated to dis-
mantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject
to  lessor  discretion  for  which  we  have  recorded  asset
retirement  obligations.  Based  on  our  estimates  of
timing,  cost  and  probability  of  removal,  these  obliga-
tions are not material.

25

CHS 2020

25

10NOV202015371222

Other Assets

Other assets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Goodwill

Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets

Notes receivable

Long-term derivative assets

Prepaid pension and other benefits

Capitalized major maintenance

Cash value life insurance

Operating lease right of use assets

Other

Total other assets

2020

2019

$

172,404 $

172,404

65,025

109,145

21,157

106,209

71,206

189,045

36,408

73,100

228,511

286,890

130,673

122,792

257,834

—

48,471

60,350

$ 1,139,429 $

1,012,195

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is assessed for
impairment  on  an  annual  basis  as  of  July  31,  either  by  first  assessing  qualitative  factors  to  determine  whether  a
quantitative goodwill impairment test is necessary or by proceeding directly to the quantitative test. The quantitative
test may be required more frequently if triggering events or other circumstances occur that could indicate impair-
ment. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level, which has been determined to be our operating
segments or one level below our operating segments in certain instances.

There were no changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended August 31, 2020. Changes in the net
carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended August 31, 2019, by segment, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Balances, August 31, 2018

Goodwill acquired during the period

Impairment

Balances, August 31, 2019

ENERGY

CORPORATE
AND OTHER

AG

TOTAL

$ 552

$ 127,338

$ 10,574

$ 138,464

—

—

61,358

(27,418)

—

—

61,358

(27,418)

$ 552

$ 161,278

$ 10,574

$ 172,404

Goodwill  of  $61.4  million  acquired  during  the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  2019  was  related  to  our  acquisition  of  the
remaining 75% ownership in West Central Distribution, LLC (‘‘WCD’’) that we did not previously own. See Note 20,
Acquisitions, for additional information related to the acquisition. No goodwill has been allocated to our Nitrogen
Production segment, which consists of a single investment accounted for under the equity method.

The outbreak and pandemic of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and other factors resulted in substantial
reductions in demand and sharp price declines in certain industries in which we operate during fiscal 2020, particu-
larly with respect to the production of renewable fuels, other energy products and processing and food ingredients.
Based on these deteriorated macroeconomic and industry conditions, management considered the impacts on each
of our businesses and determined that we needed to perform interim impairment assessments of goodwill and asset
groups, during our third quarter, for a reporting unit within our Ag segment that operates in the renewable fuels
industry. Third-party price outlooks, projections of future volumes, expenses and other cash flows and a discount rate
reflective of the relative risk of the cash flows were used to estimate fair value. Management believes the assumptions
utilized in the assessment are appropriate and reasonable for estimating fair value. The estimated fair value of the
reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount by approximately 18%, and thus no impairment was recorded.

As  a  result  of  our  annual  goodwill  impairment  analyses  performed  as  of  July  31,  2019,  we  recorded  a  goodwill
impairment  charge  of  $27.4  million  associated  with  a  reporting  unit  in  our  Ag  segment.  The  impairment  charge
26

26

CHS 2020

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

primarily resulted from changing market dynamics that reduced future profitability within the reporting unit, as well
as strategy changes and the challenging economic environment in the agriculture industry. The impairment charge
was recorded in marketing, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the
year ended August 31, 2019. No material impairments related to long-lived assets were recorded, and no goodwill
impairments  were  identified  as  a  result  of  our  annual  goodwill  analyses  performed  as  of  July  31,  2020  or  2018.
Management  will  continue  to  monitor  the  results  and  projected  cash  flows  for  each  of  our  businesses  to  assess
whether  any  reserves  or  impairments  may  be  necessary  in  the  future,  particularly  for  our  businesses  that  have
experienced or could experience substantial reductions in demand or price declines associated with the COVID-19
pandemic.

Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and noncompete agreements,
and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from two to 30 years). We have no material intangible
assets with indefinite useful lives. All long-lived assets, including other identifiable intangible assets, are also assessed
for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP and evaluated for impairment whenever triggering events or other
circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset group or reporting unit may not be recoverable. Intangible
assets of $47.2 million were acquired during fiscal 2019 related to the acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership
interest in WCD that we did not previously own. See Note 20, Acquisitions, for additional information related to the
acquisition. Information regarding intangible assets is as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Customer lists

AUGUST 31, 2020

AUGUST 31, 2019

CARRYING
AMOUNT

ACCUMULATED
AMORTIZATION

NET

CARRYING
AMOUNT

ACCUMULATED
AMORTIZATION

NET

$ 84,895

$ (23,770)

$ 61,125

$ 84,815

$ (17,609)

$ 67,206

Trademarks and other intangible assets

10,735

(6,835)

3,900

9,736

(5,736)

4,000

Total intangible assets

$ 95,630

$(30,605)

$ 65,025

$ 94,551

$ (23,345)

$ 71,206

Intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, was $7.3 million, $5.3 mil-
lion and $3.4 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to
amortization for the next five years is as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

$

8,215

7,973

7,870

7,660

7,345

25,866

$ 64,929

Capitalized Major Maintenance
Activity related to capitalized major maintenance costs at our refineries for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019
and 2018, is summarized below:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

BALANCE AT
BEGINNING OF YEAR

COST DEFERRED

AMORTIZATION

BALANCE AT
END OF YEAR

$ 286,890

$

14,496

$ (72,875)

$ 228,511

130,780

105,006

224,406

(68,296)

286,890

87,460

(61,686)

130,780

27

CHS 2020

27

EIGHT: O t h e r  A ss e t s ,  co n t i n u e d

Within our Energy segment, major maintenance activities are performed at our Laurel, Montana, and McPherson,
Kansas,  refineries  regularly.  Major  maintenance  activities  are  the  planned  and  required  shutdowns  of  refinery
processing units, which include replacement or overhaul of equipment that has experienced decreased efficiency in
resource conversion. Because major maintenance activities are performed to extend the life, increase the capacity
and/or improve the safety or efficiency of refinery processing assets, we follow the deferral method of accounting for
major maintenance activities. Expenditures for major maintenance activities are capitalized (deferred) when incurred
and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of two to five years, which is the estimated time lapse between
major maintenance activities. Should the estimated period between major maintenance activities change, we may be
required to amortize the remaining cost of the major maintenance activities over a shorter period, which would result
in higher depreciation and amortization costs. Amortization expense related to the capitalized major maintenance
costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing major maintenance activity costs when incurred, results in
deferring recognition of major maintenance activity expenditures. The deferral method also results in classification of
related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these
costs as incurred would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities. Repair, maintenance and related
labor costs are expensed as incurred and are included in operating cash flows.

10NOV202015372238

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

Our  notes  payable  and  long-term  debt  are  subject  to
various  restrictive  requirements  for  maintenance  of
minimum  consolidated  net  worth  and  other  financial
ratios. We were in compliance with our debt covenants
as of August 31, 2020.

Our  primary  line  of  credit  is  a  five-year  unsecured
revolving credit facility with a syndicate of domestic and
international banks. The credit facility provides a com-
mitted amount of $2.75 billion that expires on July 16,
2024.

Notes Payable
Notes payable as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, consisted
of the following:

(DOLLARS IN
THOUSANDS)

WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE
INTEREST RATE

2020

2019

2020

2019

Notes payable

1.96% 3.36% $

763,215 $ 1,330,550

CHS Capital notes

payable

1.29% 2.90%

812,276

825,558

Total notes payable

$ 1,575,491 $ 2,156,108

We maintain a series of uncommitted bilateral facilities
that  are  renewed  annually.  Amounts  borrowed  under
these  short-term  credit  facilities  are  used  to  fund  our
working capital.

28

CHS 2020

28

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table summarizes our primary lines of credit as of August 31, 2020 and 2019:

PRIMARY REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITIES

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

FISCAL YEAR
OF MATURITY

TOTAL
CAPACITY

BORROWINGS
OUTSTANDING

INTEREST RATES

2020

2020

2019

Committed five-year unsecured facility

2024 $ 2,750,000 $ 345,000 $ 335,000

Uncommitted bilateral facilities*

2021

300,000

— 430,000

LIBOR or base rate
+0.00% to 1.55%

LIBOR or base rate +
applicable margin

*

Total capacity for the uncommitted bilateral facilities was $630.0 million at August 31, 2019. As of August 31, 2020, the uncom-
mitted bilateral facilities do not include $300.0 million of capacity with a banking partner for which we are currently in the process
of terminating the related agreement.

In  addition  to  our  facilities  above,  our  wholly-owned
subsidiaries, CHS Europe S.a.r.l. and CHS Agronegocio
Industria  e  Comercio  Ltda,  had  uncommitted  lines  of
credit with $318.4 million outstanding as of August 31,
2020.  In  addition,  our  other  international  subsidiaries
had  lines  of  credit  outstanding  of  $69.7  million  as  of
August 31, 2020.

CHS Capital Notes Payable
We  have  a  receivables  and  loans  securitization  facility
(‘‘Securitization Facility’’) with certain unaffiliated finan-
cial institutions (‘‘Purchasers’’). Under the Securitization
Facility,  we  and  certain  of  our  subsidiaries  (‘‘Origina-
tors’’) sell trade accounts and notes receivable (‘‘Receiv-
ables’’)  to  Cofina  Funding,  LLC  (‘‘Cofina’’),  a  wholly-
owned  bankruptcy-remote  indirect  subsidiary  of  CHS.
Cofina  in  turn  transfers  the  Receivables  to  the  Pur-
chasers,  and  this  arrangement  is  accounted  for  as  a
secured borrowing. We use the proceeds from the sale
of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for gen-
eral corporate purposes and settlements are made on a
monthly basis. The amount available under the Securi-
tization Facility fluctuates over time based on the total
amount  of  eligible  Receivables  generated  during  the
normal course of business. As of August 31, 2020, total
availability  under  the  Securitization  Facility  was
$423.0 million, all of which had been utilized.

We  also  have  a  repurchase  facility  (‘‘Repurchase
Facility’’) related to the Securitization Facility. Under the
Repurchase Facility, we can borrow up to $150.0 million,
collateralized by a subordinated note issued by Cofina in
favor of the Originators and representing a portion  of
the outstanding balance of the Receivables sold by the
Originators  to  Cofina  under  the  Securitization  Facility.

As  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  the  outstanding  bal-
ance under the Repurchase Facility was $150.0 million.

On June 26, 2020, we amended our existing Securitiza-
tion Facility and Repurchase Facility. As a result of the
amendment, the maximum availability of the Securitiza-
tion  Facility  was  decreased  from  $700.0  million  to
$500.0 million. On September 24, 2020 the Securitiza-
tion  Facility  and  Repurchase  Facility  were  further
amended increasing the maximum availability under the
from
Securitization  Facility 
$500.0 million and extending their respective termina-
tion dates to July 30, 2021.

to  $600.0  million 

CHS Capital sells loan commitments it has originated to
Compeer Financial, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial on
a  recourse  basis.  The  total  outstanding  commitments
under the program were $150.0 million as of August 31,
2020, of which $133.3 million was borrowed under these
commitments with an interest rate of 1.45%.

CHS  Capital  borrows  funds  under  short-term  notes
issued as part of a surplus funds program. Borrowings
under this program are unsecured and bear interest at
variable  rates  ranging  from  0.35%  to  1.40%  as  of
August 31, 2020, and are due upon demand. Borrowings
under these notes totaled $134.9 million as of August 31,
2020.

On  September  30,  2019,  CHS  Capital  entered  into  a
credit  agreement  with  a  revolving  note.  Under  this
agreement,  CHS  Capital  had  available  capacity  of
$100.0 million of which no amount was outstanding as
of  August  31,  2020.  This  agreement  matured  subse-
quent to August 31, 2020, and was not renewed.

29

CHS 2020

29

NINE: N o te s  Paya b l e  a n d  Lo n g -Te r m  D e b t ,  co n t i n u e d

Long-Term Debt
During  the  year  ended  August  31,  2020,  we  repaid  approximately  $25.4  million  of  long-term  debt  consisting  of
scheduled debt maturities and optional prepayments. On August 14, 2020, we entered into a Note Purchase Agree-
ment  to  borrow  $375.0  million  of  long-term  debt  in  the  form  of  notes  that  was  funded  on  November  2,  2020.
Amounts  included  in  longterm  debt  on  our  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  as  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  are
presented in the table below.

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

4.00% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in equal installments beginning in fiscal 2017

through fiscal 2021

4.52% unsecured notes $160 million face amount, due in fiscal 2021

4.67% unsecured notes $130 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023

4.39% unsecured notes $152 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023

3.85% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025

3.80% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025

4.58% unsecured notes $150 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025

4.82% unsecured notes $80 million face amount, due in fiscal 2026

4.69% unsecured notes $58 million face amount, due in fiscal 2027

4.74% unsecured notes $95 million face amount, due in fiscal 2028

4.89% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2031

4.71% unsecured notes $100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2033

5.40% unsecured notes $125 million face amount, due in fiscal 2036

Private placement debt

2.25% unsecured term loans from cooperative and other banks, due in fiscal 2025(a)

Bank financing

Finance lease liabilities

Other notes and contracts with interest rates from 0.0% to 10.0%

Deferred financing costs

Total long-term debt

Less current portion

Long-term portion

2020

2019

$

20,000 $

40,000

162,090

161,978

137,623

136,086

152,000

152,000

80,000

80,000

100,000

100,000

154,012

151,776

80,000

80,000

58,000

95,000

58,000

95,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

100,000

125,000

125,000

1,363,725

1,379,840

366,000

366,000

366,000

366,000

31,460

34,709

(4,771)

1,791,123

189,287

28,239

18,601

(3,569)

1,789,111

39,210

$

1,601,836 $ 1,749,901

(a) Borrowings are variable under the agreement and bear interest at a base rate (or LIBOR) plus an applicable margin.

As of August 31, 2020, the fair value of our long-term
debt  is  estimated  to  be  $1.9  billion  based  on  quoted
market prices of similar debt (a Level 2 fair value mea-
surement based on the classification hierarchy of ASC
Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement).

an amount up to $300.0 million of the $600.0 million.
As of August 31, 2020, $130.0 million of revolving loans
were outstanding under this agreement. Principal on the
outstanding  balances  is  payable  in  full  in  September
2025.

We have a 10-year term loan with a syndicate of banks.
The agreement provides for committed term loans in an
amount  up  to  $600.0  million.  As  of  August  31,  2020,
$236.0  million  of  term  loans  were  outstanding  under
this agreement. The agreement includes a revolving fea-
ture, whereby we are able to pay down and re-advance

Long-term debt outstanding as of August 31, 2020, has
aggregate maturities, excluding fair value adjustments
and finance leases (see Note 19, Leases, for a schedule of

30

CHS 2020

30

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

minimum future lease payments under finance leases),
as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Interest expense for the years ended August 31, 2020,
2019  and  2018,  was  $117.0  million,  $167.1  million  and
$149.2 million, respectively, net of capitalized interest of
$10.9 million, $9.4 million and $6.7 million, respectively.

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Thereafter

Total

10NOV202015373513

$

181,628

30,828

282,828

780

696,780

558,103

$ 1,750,947

Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Customer margin deposits and credit balances

Customer advance payments

Derivative liabilities (Note 15)

Dividends and equity payable

Total other current liabilities

10NOV202015371353

Income Taxes

2020

2019

$ 149,539 $ 143,049

300,100

336,645

416,204

241,957

63,000

180,000

$ 928,843 $

901,651

CHS is a nonexempt agricultural cooperative and files a
consolidated  federal  income  tax  return  within  our  tax
return  period.  We  are  subject  to  tax  on  income  from
nonpatronage sources, nonqualified patronage distribu-
tions  and  undistributed  patronage-sourced  income.
Income tax (benefit) expense is primarily the current tax
payable for the period and the change during the period
in  certain  deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities.  Deferred

income  taxes  reflect  the  impact  of  temporary  differ-
ences  between  the  amounts  of  assets  and  liabilities
recognized under U.S. GAAP and such amounts recog-
nized for federal and state income tax purposes, based
on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable
to the periods in which the differences are expected to
affect taxable income.

31

CHS 2020

31

ELEVEN: I n co m e  Ta xe s ,  co n t i n u e d

The  (benefit  from)  provision  for  income  taxes  for  the
years  ended  August  31,  2020,  2019  and  2018  is  as
follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

Current:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total Current

Deferred:

Federal

State

Foreign

Total Deferred

Total

$

4,519 $

211

$

15,576

(2,231)

2,748

5,036

(36,231)

(5,263)

(273)

3,815

(2,630)

1,396

7,041

20,268

42,885

(4,923)

(146,780)

(8,491)

(438)

(127)

(54)

(41,767)

(13,852)

(146,961)

$

(36,731) $

(12,456)

$ (104,076)

Domestic income before income taxes was $324.4 mil-
lion,  $825.7  million  and  $717.4  million  for  the  years
ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. For-
eign income (loss) before income taxes was $62.5 mil-
lion,  ($3.1)  million  and  ($46.2)  million  for  the  years
ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Deferred  taxes  are  comprised  of  basis  differences
related  to  investments,  accrued  liabilities  and  certain
federal  and  state  tax  credits.  Deferred  tax  assets  and
liabilities as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Deferred tax assets:

Accrued expenses

Postretirement health care and deferred

compensation

Tax credit carryforwards

Loss carryforwards

Nonqualified equity

Lease obligations

Other

2020

2019

$

51,560 $

62,245

42,898

123,193

116,741

42,747

152,347

136,435

344,924

290,447

Total deferred tax assets

Deferred tax liabilities:

Pension

Investments

Major maintenance

17,131

95,916

91

11,237

99,838

4,679

Property, plant and equipment

556,160

560,334

Right of use asset

Other

Total deferred tax liabilities

64,140

15,326

—

1,760

748,764

677,848

Net deferred tax liabilities

$

139,343 $ 142,900

We have total gross loss carryforwards of $576.6 million,
of which $366.9 million will expire over periods ranging

32

32

CHS 2020

from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2041. The remainder will carry
forward indefinitely. Based on estimates of future tax-
able  profits  and  losses  in  certain  foreign  tax  jurisdic-
tions,  as  well  as  consideration  of  other  factors,  we
assessed whether a valuation allowance was necessary
to  reduce  specific  foreign 
loss  carryforwards  to
amounts we believe are more likely than not to be real-
ized as of August 31, 2020. If our estimates prove inaccu-
rate,  adjustments  to  the  valuation  allowances  may  be
required in the future with gains or losses being charged
to  income  in  the  period  such  determination  is  made.
McPherson  refinery’s  gross  state  tax  credit  carryfor-
wards for income tax were approximately $125.5 million
and  $123.3  million  as  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,
respectively.  McPherson  refinery’s  valuation  allowance
on Kansas state credits is necessary due to the limited
amount of taxable income generated in Kansas by the
combined group on an annual basis.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Eco-
nomic Security (‘‘CARES’’) Act was signed into law. As a
result,  our  alternative  minimum  tax  credit  became
refundable  and  has  been  classified  in  other  current
assets  on  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  as  of
August  31,  2020.  Our  general  business  credits  of
$59.1  million,  comprised  primarily  of  low-sulfur  diesel
credits, will begin to expire on August 31, 2027, and our
state  tax  credits  of  $125.5  million  began  to  expire  on
August 31, 2020.

The  reconciliation  of  the  statutory  federal  income  tax
rates  to  the  effective  tax  rates  for  the  years  ended
August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

2020

2019

2018

Domestic production activities deduction

(19.0)

(9.9)

(8.4)

Export activities at rates other than the

U.S. statutory rate

U.S. tax reform

1.8

—

Intercompany transfer of business assets

(1.6)

Increase in unrecognized tax benefits

Valuation allowance

Tax credits

Other

4.2

(1.0)

0.2

(0.2)

(2.1)

5.7

—

—

0.2

2.6

0.4

1.3

(23.2)

(6.1)

6.8

(3.0)

0.7

(0.8)

Effective tax rate

(9.5)%

(1.5)% (15.5)%

Deferred tax assets valuation reserve

(219,891)

(246,344)

federal income tax benefit

(1.8)

(0.7)

0.7

609,421

534,948

Patronage earnings

(13.1)

(14.3)

(13.6)

64,140

85,856

—

Statutory federal income tax rate

21.0%

21.0%

25.7%

97,071

State and local income taxes, net of

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (‘‘Tax
Act’’)  was  enacted  into  law.  The  Tax  Act  provides  for
significant U.S. tax law changes that reduced our federal
corporate statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% as of Jan-
uary  1,  2018.  As  a  fiscal  year-end  taxpayer,  our  annual
statutory federal corporate tax rate applicable to fiscal
2018 was a blended rate of 25.7%. For fiscal 2020 and
fiscal  2019,  the  annual  statutory  federal  corporate  tax
rate was 21%.

Primary  drivers  of  the  fiscal  2020  income  tax  benefit
were retaining the current Domestic Production Activi-
ties  Deduction  (‘‘DPAD’’)  benefit  and  from  the  settle-
ment  of  a  U.S.  federal  audit  resulting  in  additional  tax
credit  carryovers,  which  were  partially  offset  by  an
increase in our unrecognized deferred tax benefit. Pri-
mary drivers of the fiscal 2019 income tax benefit were
retaining the current DPAD benefit and deducting previ-
ously disallowed DPAD available from the carryback of
excise  tax  credits,  which  were  partially  offset  by  an
increase  in  our  unrecognized  deferred  tax  benefit  as
described  below.  Primary  drivers  of  the  fiscal  2018
income tax benefit were recognition of deferred bene-
fits  from  revaluation  of  our  net  deferred  tax  liability
resulting from the Tax Act, an intercompany transfer of a
business on December 1, 2017, and a current tax benefit
from retaining a significant portion of the DPAD, which
were  partially  offset  by  deferred  tax  expense  from  an
increase  in  our  unrecognized  tax  benefit  as  described
below.

We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction,
as  well  as  various  state  and  foreign  jurisdictions.  Our
uncertain tax positions are affected by the tax years that
are under audit or remain subject to examination by the
relevant  taxing  authorities.  In  addition  to  the  current
year, fiscal 2007 through 2019 remain subject to exami-
nation, at least for certain issues.

Reserves are recorded against unrecognized tax bene-
fits when we believe certain fully supportable tax return
positions are likely to be challenged and we may or may
not prevail. If we determine that a tax position is more

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

likely than not to be sustained upon audit, based on the
technical  merits  of  the  position,  we  recognize  the
benefit  by  measuring  the  amount  that  is  greater  than
50% likely of being realized. We reevaluate the technical
merits of our tax positions and recognize an uncertain
tax  benefit,  or  derecognize  a  previously  recorded  tax
benefit,  when  there  is  (i)  a  completion  of  a  tax  audit,
(ii)  effective  settlement  of  an  issue,  (iii)  a  change  in
applicable tax law including a tax case or legislative gui-
dance, or (iv) expiration of the applicable statute of limi-
tations. Significant judgment is required in accounting
for tax reserves. A reconciliation of the gross beginning
and  ending  amounts  of  unrecognized  tax  benefits  for
the periods presented follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

Balance at beginning of period

$

101,128 $ 91,135 $ 37,830

Additions attributable to current

year tax positions

14,410

14,162

3,640

Additions attributable to prior year

tax positions

6,128

—

49,665

Reductions attributable to prior

year tax positions

(2,516)

(4,169)

—

Balance at end of period

$

119,150 $ 101,128 $

91,135

If we were to prevail on all positions taken in relation to
uncertain  tax  positions,  $111.3  million  of  the  unrecog-
nized tax benefits would ultimately benefit our effective
tax rate. It is reasonably possible that the total amount
of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change
in the next 12 months.

We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecog-
nized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. We
recognized $1.0 million benefit and $1.7 million expense
for  interest  and  penalties  related  to  unrecognized  tax
benefits  in  our  Consolidated  Statement  of  Operations
for the years ended August 31, 2020 and 2019, respec-
tively, and a related $1.0 million and $2.9 million interest
payable  on  our  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet  as  of
August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. No interest or
penalties  were  recognized  in  our  Consolidated  State-
ments of Operations for the year ended August 31, 2018.

10NOV202015373895

Equities

Patronage and Equity Redemptions
In  accordance  with  our  bylaws  and  by  action  of  the
Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage
sources are distributed to consenting patrons following
the close of each fiscal year and are based on amounts
using financial statement earnings. The cash portion of

the  qualified  patronage  distribution,  if  any,  is  deter-
mined annually by the Board of Directors, with the bal-
ance issued in the form of qualified and/or nonqualified
capital equity certificates. Total patronage distributions
for fiscal 2020 are estimated to be $242.0 million, with
the qualified cash portion estimated to be $30.0 million

33

CHS 2020

33

TWELVE: Eq u i t i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

and nonqualified equity distributions of $212.0 million.
No portion of annual net earnings for fiscal 2020 will be
issued in the form of qualified capital equity certificates.
Patronage distributions for the years ended August 31,
2019,  2018  and  2017  were  $564.5  million  (with  a
$90.1  million  cash  portion),  $428.8  million  (with  a
$75.8 million cash portion) and $128.8 million (with no
cash portion), respectively.

Annual  net  earnings  from  patronage  or  other  sources
may  be  added  to  the  unallocated  capital  reserve  or,
upon action by the Board of Directors, may be allocated
to members in the form of nonpatronage equity certifi-
cates. The Board of Directors authorized, in accordance
with  our  bylaws,  that  10%  of  the  earnings  from
patronage  business  for  fiscal  2020,  2019  and  2018  be
added to our capital reserves.

Redemptions of outstanding equity are at the discretion
of the Board of Directors. Redemptions of capital equity
certificates  approved  by  the  Board  of  Directors  are

divided into two pools, one for nonindividuals (primarily
member  cooperatives)  who  may  participate  in  an
annual redemption program for qualified equities held
by  them  and  another  for  individual  members  who  are
eligible for equity redemptions at age 70 or upon death.
The CHS redemption policy includes a redemption pro-
gram for individuals similar to the one that is available to
nonindividual members, subject to CHS Board of Direc-
tors overall discretion whether to redeem outstanding
equity. In accordance with authorization from the Board
of Directors, we expect total redemptions related to the
year ended August 31, 2020, that will be distributed in
fiscal  2021,  to  be  approximately  $33.0  million.  This
amount  is  classified  as  a  current  liability  on  our
August  31,  2020,  Consolidated  Balance  Sheet.  During
the  years  ended  August  31,  2020,  2019  and  2018,  we
redeemed  in  cash,  outstanding  owners’  equities  in
accordance with authorization from the Board of Direc-
tors, in the amounts of $96.4 million, $85.5 million and
$8.8 million, respectively.

34

CHS 2020

34

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Preferred Stock
The following is a summary of our outstanding preferred stock as of August 31, 2020, all shares of which are listed and
traded on The Nasdaq:

(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)

NASDAQ
SYMBOL

ISSUANCE
DATE

SHARES
OUTSTANDING

REDEMPTION
VALUE

NET
PROCEEDS (a)

DIVIDEND
RATE (b) (c)

DIVIDEND
PAYMENT
FREQUENCY

REDEEMABLE
BEGINNING (d)

8% Cumulative Redeemable

CHSCP

(e)

12,272,003

$306.8

$311.2

8.00%

Quarterly

7/18/2023

Class B Cumulative Redeemable,

Series 1

CHSCO

(f)

21,459,066

536.5

569.3

7.875%

Quarterly

9/26/2023

Class B Reset Rate Cumulative

Redeemable, Series 2

CHSCN

3/11/2014

16,800,000

420.0

406.2

7.10%

Quarterly

3/31/2024

Class B Reset Rate Cumulative

Redeemable, Series 3

CHSCM

9/15/2014

19,700,000

492.5

476.7

6.75%

Quarterly

9/30/2024

Class B Cumulative Redeemable,

Series 4

CHSCL

1/21/2015

20,700,000

517.5

501.0

7.50%

Quarterly

1/21/2025

(a) Includes patrons’ equities redeemed with preferred stock.

(b) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.10% per year until
March 31, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.298%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to
March 31, 2024.

(c) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 accumulates dividends at a rate of 6.75% per year until
September 30, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.155%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent
to September 30, 2024.

(d) Preferred stock is redeemable for cash at our option, in whole or in part, at a per share price equal to the per share liquidation
preference of $25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid on that share to and including the date of redemption,
beginning on the dates set forth in this column.

(e) The 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued at various times from 2003 through 2010.

(f) Shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 were issued on September 26, 2013; August 25, 2014; March 31,

2016; and March 30, 2017.

Preferred Stock Dividends
We made dividend payments on our preferred stock of
$168.7 million during each of the years ended August 31,
2020, 2019 and 2018. As of August 31, 2020, we have no
authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock.

The following is a summary of dividends per share by
series of preferred stock for the years ended August 31,
2020 and 2019.

(DOLLARS PER SHARE)

Years Ended August 31,

NASDAQ
SYMBOL

2020

2019

8% Cumulative Redeemable

CHSCP $ 2.00 $ 2.00

Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1

CHSCO

1.97

1.97

Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable,

Series 2

CHSCN

1.78

1.78

Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable,

Series 3

CHSCM

Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4

CHSCL

1.69

1.88

1.69

1.88

35

CHS 2020

35

TWELVE: Eq u i t i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, for the years ended August 31, 2020,
2019 and 2018 are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

PENSION AND
OTHER
POSTRETIREMENT
BENEFITS

UNREALIZED NET
GAIN (LOSS) ON
AVAILABLE FOR
SALE INVESTMENTS

FOREIGN
CURRENCY
CASH FLOW TRANSLATION
ADJUSTMENT

HEDGES

TOTAL

Balance as of August 31, 2017, net of tax

$ (132,444)

$

10,041

$ (6,954)

$ (51,003)

$ (180,360)

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

Amounts before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified out

Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Tax effect

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

Reclassification of tax effects to capital reserves

Balance as of August 31, 2018, net of tax

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

Amounts before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified out

Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Tax effect

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

7,633

21,804

29,437

(9,371)

20,066

(27,957)

(140,335)

(51,118)

10,279

(40,839)

8,280

(32,559)

21,078

(25,534)

(4,456)

1,308

(3,148)

1,968

8,861

1,031

1,704

2,735

(195)

2,540

(1,468)

(10,062)

(2,042)

(12,104)

83

(12,021)

19,680

(4,068)

15,612

(8,175)

7,437

465

(26,992)

(5,882)

(62,559)

(199,915)

—

—

—

—

—

37,709

(9,843)

27,866

(7,670)

20,196

(9,990)

(23,399)

—

436

(9,990)

(22,963)

41

(9,949)

2,756

651

(22,312)

(4,706)

Reclassifications

416

(8,861)

983

Balance as of August 31, 2019, net of tax

(172,478)

Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax:

Amounts before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified out

Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax

Tax effect

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

(4,751)

19,908

15,157

(2,359)

12,798

—

—

—

—

—

—

15,297

(69,752)

(226,933)

16,430

(17,021)

(22,291)

(5,861)

1,450

(4,411)

—

(17,021)

1,643

(15,378)

(5,342)

(2,383)

(7,725)

734

(6,991)

Balance as of August 31, 2020, net of tax

$ (159,680)

$

— $

10,886

$ (85,130)

$ (233,924)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other compre-
hensive income (loss) were related to pension and other
postretirement  benefits,  cash  flow  hedges,  avail-
able-for-sale investments and foreign currency transla-
tion  adjustments.  Pension  and  other  postretirement
reclassifications  include  amortization  of  net  actuarial
loss, prior service credit and transition amounts and are

recorded as cost of goods sold and marketing, general
and administrative expenses (see Note 13, Benefit Plans,
for further information). Gains or losses on the sale of
available-for-sale  investments  are  recorded  to  other
income.  Foreign  currency  translation  reclassifications
related  to  sales  of  businesses  are  recorded  to  other
income.

36

CHS 2020

36

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10NOV202015373639

Benefit Plans

We have various pension and other defined benefit as
well as defined contribution plans in which substantially
all employees may participate. We also have nonquali-
fied  supplemental  executive  and  Board  retirement
plans. We provide defined life insurance and health care
benefits  for  certain  retired  employees  and  Board  of
Directors participants. The plan is contributory based on

years of service and family status, with retiree contribu-
tions adjusted annually.

Financial information on changes in projected benefit obli-
gation, plan assets funded and balance sheet status as of
August 31, 2020 and 2019, is as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Change in benefit obligation:

QUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

NONQUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

OTHER BENEFITS

2020

2019

2020

2019

2020

2019

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 876,696 $ 767,184 $

19,047 $

20,755 $

31,098 $

29,790

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial loss (gain)

Assumption change

Plan amendments

Settlements

Benefits paid

42,151

21,722

38,592

28,396

6,265

(9,606)

40,694

102,441

—

—

18

405

429

1,382

775

—

311

747

76

1,841

—

1,050

747

1,053

1,094

(2,286)

(2,596)

1,275

3,398

—

—

—

—

(615)

(2,130)

(3,975)

(69,526)

(49,714)

(725)

(708)

(1,568)

(1,641)

Projected benefit obligation at end of period

$ 918,002 $ 876,696 $

19,183 $

19,047 $

30,316 $

31,098

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

$ 909,427 $ 829,616 $

Actual gain on plan assets

Company contributions

Settlements

Benefits paid

— $

—

— $

—

90,241

90,139

46,400

40,001

2,855

4,683

—

(615)

(2,130)

(3,975)

— $

—

1,568

—

—

—

1,641

—

(69,526)

(49,714)

(725)

(708)

(1,568)

(1,641)

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

$ 976,542 $ 909,427 $

— $

— $

— $

—

Funded status at end of period

$

58,540 $

32,731 $ (19,183) $ (19,047) $ (30,316) $ (31,098)

Amounts recognized on balance sheet:

Noncurrent assets

Accrued benefit cost:

Current liabilities

Noncurrent liabilities

$

58,540 $

32,731 $

— $

— $

— $

—

—

—

—

—

(1,660)

(1,580)

(2,090)

(2,040)

(17,523)

(17,467)

(28,226)

(29,058)

Ending balance

$

58,540 $

32,731 $ (19,183) $ (19,047) $ (30,316) $ (31,098)

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax):

Prior service cost (credit)

$

938 $

1,117 $

(502) $

(616) $

(2,715) $

(3,160)

Net loss (gain)

Ending balance

225,983

244,164

3,813

2,151

(15,064)

(15,445)

$ 226,921 $ 245,281 $

3,311 $

1,535 $ (17,779) $ (18,605)

37

CHS 2020

37

THIRTEEN: B e n e f i t  P l a n s ,  co n t i n u e d

The accumulated benefit obligation of the qualified pension
plans  was  $871.6  million  and  $833.2  million  at  August  31,
2020 and 2019, respectively. The accumulated benefit obli-
gation of the nonqualified pension plans was $18.2 million
and $16.9 million at August 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Information  for  the  pension  plans  with  an  accumulated
benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

YEARS ENDED AUGUST 31,

2020

2019

Projected benefit obligation

$

19,183

$

19,047

Accumulated benefit obligation

18,172

16,907

Components of net periodic benefit costs for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

2018

QUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

NON QUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

OTHER BENEFITS

Components of net periodic benefit costs:

$

42,151

$

38,592

$

39,677

$ 405

$

311

$

548

$ 1,050 $ 1,053

$

943

Service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on assets

(46,684)

(44,968)

(48,159)

21,722

28,396

24,007

429

747

—

711

—

191

(112)

747

1,094

908

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

51

—

—

178

190

1,437

(114)

(75)

30

(445)

(556)

(565)

21,583

12,348

18,073

98

2

61

(1,392)

(1,627)

(1,224)

Settlement of retiree

obligations

Prior service cost (credit)

amortization

Actuarial loss (gain)

amortization

Net periodic benefit cost

(benefit)

$ 38,950 $ 34,609

$

35,035

$

818

$ 1,176

$ 1,238

$ (40)

$ (36)

$

62

Weighted-average assumptions to determine the net periodic benefit cost:

Discount rate

3.06%

4.23%

3.80%

2.70%

4.09%

3.53%

2.89%

4.08%

3.56%

Expected return on plan

assets

5.50%

5.50%

5.75%

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

N/A

Rate of compensation

increase

5.28%

5.14%

5.08%

5.28%

5.14%

5.08%

N/A

N/A

N/A

Weighted-average assumptions to determine the benefit obligations:

Discount rate

2.67%

3.06%

4.23%

2.15%

2.70%

4.09%

2.43%

2.89%

4.13%

Rate of compensation

increase

4.99%

5.28%

5.14%

4.99%

5.28%

5.14%

N/A

N/A

N/A

38

CHS 2020

38

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Components of net periodic benefit costs and amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) for the
years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

2018

2020

2019

2018

QUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

NONQUALIFIED
PENSION BENEFITS

OTHER BENEFITS

Other comprehensive loss (income):

Prior service cost

$

— $

18 $

244 $

— $

— $

— $

— $

— $

—

Net actuarial loss

(gain)

Amortization of

3,401

47,556

(8,553)

2,157

1,917

(578)

(1,011)

801

(2,234)

actuarial (gain) loss

(21,583)

(12,307)

(18,073)

(98)

(2)

(61)

1,392

1,627

1,224

Amortization of prior

service (credit)
costs

Settlement of retiree

obligations (a)

Total recognized in

other comprehensive
loss (income)

(178)

(190)

(1,437)

114

75

(30)

445

556

565

—

—

—

(397)

(191)

112

—

—

—

$ (18,360) $

35,077 $ (27,819) $ 1,776 $

1,799 $

(557) $

826 $ 2,984 $ (445)

(a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) to net earnings.

Estimated amortization in fiscal 2021 from accumulated
other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost
is as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Amortization of prior service

QUALIFIED NONQUALIFIED
PENSION
BENEFITS

PENSION
BENEFITS

OTHER
BENEFITS

cost (credit)

$

178

$ (114) $ (445)

Amortization of actuarial loss

(gain)

21,790

212

(1,365)

is  conducted  to 

An annual analysis of the risk versus the return of the
justify  the
investment  portfolio 
expected longterm rate of return assumption. We gen-
erally use long-term historical return information for the
targeted  asset  mix  identified  in  asset  and  liability
studies.  Adjustments  are  made  to  the  expected
long-term rate of return assumption, when deemed nec-
essary,  based  upon  revised  expectations  of  future
investment  performance  of  the  overall  investment
markets.

A significant assumption for pension costs and obliga-
tions  is  the  discount  rate.  We  utilize  a  full-yield  curve
approach by applying the specific spot rates along the
yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obli-
gation  to  the  relevant  projected  cash  flows.  The  dis-
count  rate  reflects  the  rate  at  which  the  associated
benefits could be effectively settled as of the measure-
ment  date.  In  estimating  this  rate,  we  look  at  rates  of
return on fixed-income investments of similar duration
to  the  liabilities  in  the  plans  that  receive  high  invest-
ment-grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies.

For  measurement  purposes,  a  7.1%  annual  rate  of
increase  in  the  per  capita  cost  of  covered  health  care
benefits  was  assumed  for  the  year  ended  August  31,
2020. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to
4.5% by 2027 and remain at that level thereafter.

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant
effect  on  the  amounts  reported  for  the  health  care
plans. A one- percentage-point change in the assumed
health  care  cost  trend  rates  would  have  the  following
effects:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

1% INCREASE 1% DECREASE

Effect on total of service and interest

cost components

$

200 $

(170)

Effect on postretirement benefit

obligation

2,100

(1,800)

Contributions  depend  primarily  on  market  returns  on
the  pension  plan  assets  and  minimum  funding  level
requirements.  During  fiscal  2020,  we  made  a  discre-
tionary  contribution  of  $46.4  million  to  the  pension

39

CHS 2020

39

THIRTEEN: B e n e f i t  P l a n s ,  co n t i n u e d

plans. Based on the funded status of the qualified pen-
sion plans as of August 31, 2020, we do not believe we
will  be  required  to  contribute  to  these  plans  in  fiscal
2021,  although  we  may  voluntarily  elect  to  do  so.  We
expect  to  pay  $3.8  million  to  participants  of  the  non-
qualified  pension  and  postretirement  benefit  plans
during fiscal 2021.

Our  retiree  benefit  payments,  which  reflect  expected
future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

2026–2030

QUALIFIED NONQUALIFIED
PENSION
BENEFITS OTHER BENEFITS

PENSION
BENEFITS

$

75,700

$ 1,660

$ 2,090

65,900

63,500

64,700

65,300

326,700

1,840

1,840

1,620

1,820

8,010

2,280

2,470

2,450

2,450

9,790

We  have  trusts  that  hold  the  assets  for  the  defined
benefit plans. CHS has a qualified plan committee that
sets  investment  guidelines  with  the  assistance  of
external  consultants.  Investment  objectives  for  the
plans’ assets are as follows:

• Optimization of the long-term returns on plan assets

at an acceptable level of risk;

• Maintenance  of  broad  diversification  across  asset

classes and among investment managers; and

• Focus on long-term return objectives.

Asset  allocation  targets  promote  optimal  expected
return and volatility characteristics given the long-term
time horizon for fulfilling the obligations of the pension
plans.  The  investment  portfolio  contains  a  diversified
portfolio  of  investment  categories,  including  equities,
fixed-income  securities  and  real  estate.  Securities  are
also diversified in terms  of  domestic and international
securities, short- and long-term securities, growth and
value  equities,  large  and  small  cap  stocks,  as  well  as
active  and  passive  management  styles.  Our  pension
plans’ investment policy strategy is such that liabilities
match  assets.  This  is  being  accomplished  through  the
asset portfolio mix by reducing volatility and de-risking
the  plans.  The  plans’  target  allocation  percentages
range between 45% and 65% for fixed income securities
and range between 35% and 55% for equity securities.

The qualified plan committee believes that with prudent
risk tolerance and asset diversification, the plans should
be able to meet pension obligations in the future.

40

CHS 2020

40

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Our pension plans’ recurring fair value measurements by asset category at August 31, 2020 and 2019, are presented in
the tables below:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Cash and cash equivalents

Equities:

Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

Fixed income securities:

Common/collective trust at net asset value (1)

Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value(1)

Other assets measured at net asset value(1)

2020

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

$

57,801 $

— $

— $

57,801

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

219,050

603,250

94,400

2,041

Total

$

57,801 $

— $

— $ 976,542

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Cash and cash equivalents

Equities:

Common/collective trust at net asset value(1)

Fixed income securities:

Common/collective trust at net asset value(1)

Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1)

Other assets measured at net asset value (1)

2019

LEVEL 1

LEVEL 2

LEVEL 3

TOTAL

$

7,938 $

— $

— $

7,938

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

209,860

—

—

—

574,296

101,641

15,692

Total

$

7,938 $

— $

— $ 909,427

(1)

In accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement, certain assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset
value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts
presented in the tables above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the
statement of net assets.

Definitions for valuation levels are found in Note 16, Fair
Value  Measurements.  We  use  the  following  valuation
methodologies for assets measured at fair value.

Common/collective  trusts. Common/collective  trusts
primarily consist of equity and fixed income funds and
are  valued  using  other  significant  observable  inputs
(including quoted prices for similar investments, interest
rates,  prepayment  speeds,  credit  risks,  referenced
indices,  quoted  prices  in  inactive  markets,  adjusted
quoted prices in active markets, adjusted quoted prices
on foreign equity securities that were adjusted in accor-
dance  with  pricing  procedures  approved  by  the  trust,
etc.).  Common/collective  trust  investments  can  be
redeemed daily and without restriction. Redemption of
the entire investment balance generally requires a 45- to

60-day notice period. The equity funds provide expo-
sure to large, mid and small cap U.S. equities, interna-
tional large and small cap equities and emerging market
equities.  The  fixed  income  funds  provide  exposure  to
U.S., international and emerging market debt securities.

Partnership and joint venture interests. Valued at the
net asset value of shares held by the plan at year-end as
a practical expedient for fair value. The net asset value is
based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned
by  the  trust,  minus  its  liabilities,  then  divided  by  the
number  of  units  outstanding.  Redemptions  of  these
interests generally require a 45- to 60-day notice period.

Other assets. Other assets primarily include real estate
funds and hedge funds held in the asset portfolio of our
U.S. defined benefit pension plans.

41

CHS 2020

41

THIRTEEN: B e n e f i t  P l a n s ,  co n t i n u e d

We are one of approximately 400 employers that con-
tribute  to  the  Co-op  Retirement  Plan  (‘‘Co-op  Plan’’),
which is a defined benefit plan constituting a ‘‘multiple
employer  plan’’  under  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  of
1986, as amended, and a ‘‘multiemployer plan’’ under the
accounting standards. The risks of participating in these
multiemployer plans are different from single-employer
plans in the following aspects:

• Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one
employer  may  be  used  to  provide  benefits  to
employees of other participating employers;

• If a participating employer stops contributing to the
plan,  the  unfunded  obligations  of  the  plan  may  be
borne by the remaining participating employers; and
• If  we  choose  to  stop  participating  in  the  multiem-
ployer plan, we may be required to pay the plan an
amount based on the underfunded status of the plan,
referred  to  as  a  withdrawal  liability.  The  withdrawal
liability  associated  with  the  multiemployer  plan  was
approximately $46.0 million as of August 31, 2020.

Our participation in the Co-op Plan for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, is outlined in the table below:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

PLAN NAME

EIN/PLAN NUMBER

2020

2019

2018

CONTRIBUTIONS OF CHS

SURCHARGE
IMPOSED

EXPIRATION DATE OF COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING AGREEMENT

Co-op Retirement Plan

01-0689331 / 001

$ 1,455

$ 1,712

$ 1,662

N/A

N/A

Our  contributions  for  the  years  stated  above  did  not
represent  more  than  5%  of  total  contributions  to  the
Co-op  Plan  as  indicated  in  the  Co-op  Plan’s  most
recently available annual report (Form 5500).

Provisions  of  the  Pension  Protection  Act  of  2006
(‘‘PPA’’) do not apply to the Co-op Plan because there is
a special exemption for cooperative plans if the plan is
maintained by more than one employer and at least 85%
of the employers are rural cooperatives or cooperative
organizations  owned  by  agricultural  producers.  In  the
Co-op  Plan,  a  ‘‘zone  status’’  determination  is  not
required, and therefore not determined. In addition, the
accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not
determined  or  allocated  separately  by 
individual
employers. The most recent financial statements avail-
able in 2020 and 2019 are for the Co-op Plan’s year-end
at  March  31,  2020  and  2019,  respectively.  In  total,  the
Co-op  Plan  was  at  least  80%  funded  on  those  dates

based on the total plan assets and accumulated benefit
obligations.

Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the
Co-op Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges
are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are
determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation
of  the  plan  and  may  change  as  a  result  of  plan
experience.

In addition to the contributions to the Co-op Plan listed
above,  total  contributions  to  individually  insignificant
multiemployer  pension  plans  were  immaterial  in  fiscal
2020, 2019 and 2018.

We have other contributory defined contribution plans
covering substantially all employees. Total contributions
by us to these plans were $34.5 million, $31.0 million and
$24.7 million, for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019
and 2018, respectively.

42

CHS 2020

42

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10NOV202015371730

Segment Reporting

We are an integrated agricultural enterprise, providing
grain,  foods  and  energy  resources  to  businesses  and
consumers on a global basis. We provide a wide variety
of products and services, from initial agricultural inputs
such  as  fuels,  farm  supplies,  crop  nutrients  and  crop
protection products, to agricultural outputs that include
grains  and  oilseeds,  grain  and  oilseed  processing  and
food  products,  and  the  production  and  marketing  of
ethanol.  We  define  our  operating  segments  in  accor-
dance  with  ASC  Topic  280,  Segment  Reporting,  to
reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision
maker,  our  Chief  Executive  Officer,  evaluates  perform-
ance and allocates resources in managing the business.
We  have  aggregated  those  operating  segments  into
three  reportable  segments:  Energy,  Ag  and  Nitrogen
Production.

Our  Energy  segment  produces  and  provides  primarily
for  the  wholesale  distribution  of  petroleum  products
and transportation of those products. Our Ag segment
purchases  and  further  processes  or  resells  grains  and
oilseeds originated by our country operations business,
by our member cooperatives and by third parties; serves
as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs; and produces
and markets ethanol. Our Nitrogen Production segment
consists solely of our equity method investment in CF
Nitrogen, which entitles us, pursuant to a supply agree-
ment that we entered with CF Nitrogen, to purchase up
to a specified quantity of granular urea and UAN annu-
ally from CF Nitrogen. Corporate and Other represents
our financing and hedging businesses, which primarily
consists of a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commis-
sion-regulated  futures  commission  merchant  for  com-
modities  hedging,  financial  services  related  to  crop
production, and insurance which was disposed of in May
2018.  Our  nonconsolidated  investments  in  Ventura
Foods and Ardent Mills are also included in our Corpo-
rate and Other category.

Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allo-
cated to each reportable segment, along with Corporate
and  Other,  based  on  direct  use  for  services,  such  as
information technology and legal, and other factors or
considerations relevant to the costs incurred.

Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and
operating results vary throughout the year. For example,

in  our  Ag  segment,  our  country  operations  business
generally  experiences  higher  volumes  and  income
during  the  spring  planting  season  and  during  the  fall
harvest  season  and  our  agronomy  business  generally
experiences  higher  volumes  and  income  during  the
spring  planting  season.  Our  global  grain  marketing
operations are also subject to fluctuations in volume and
earnings based on producer harvests, world grain prices
and  demand.  Our  Energy  segment  generally  exper-
iences higher volumes and profitability in certain oper-
ating areas, such as refined products, in the summer and
early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usage is highest
and  is  subject  to  global  supply  and  demand  forces.
Other  energy  products,  such  as  propane,  may  experi-
ence higher volumes and profitability during the winter
heating and crop-drying seasons.

Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly
affected by global market prices for commodities such
as  petroleum  products,  natural  gas,  grains,  oilseeds,
crop  nutrients  and  flour.  Changes  in  market  prices  for
commodities that we purchase without a corresponding
change in the selling prices of those products can affect
revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices are
affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control,
including  the  weather,  crop  damage  due  to  plant  dis-
ease  or  insects,  drought,  availability  and  adequacy  of
supply, availability of a reliable rail and river transporta-
tion network, outbreaks of disease, government regula-
tions  and  policies,  global  trade  disputes,  and  general
political and economic conditions.

While  our  revenues  and  operating  results  are  derived
primarily  from  businesses  and  operations  that  are
wholly-owned or subsidiaries and limited liability com-
panies in which we have a controlling interest, a portion
of our business operations are conducted through com-
panies in which we hold ownership interests of 50% or
less  or  do  not  control  the  operations.  We  account  for
these investments primarily using the equity method of
accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share
of  income  or  loss  reported  by  the  entity  as  equity
income  from  investments,  without  consolidating  the
revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated
Statements  of  Operations.  In  our  Nitrogen  Production
segment, this consists of our approximate 10% member-
ship interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. In

43

CHS 2020

43

FOURTEEN: S e g m e n t  R e p o r t i n g ,  co n t i n u e d

Corporate and Other, this principally includes our 50%
ownership in Ventura Foods and our 12% ownership in
Ardent Mills. See Note 6, Investments, for more informa-
tion related to CF Nitrogen, Ventura Foods and Ardent
Mills.

Reconciling amounts represent the elimination of reve-
nues  between  segments.  Such  transactions  are  exe-
cuted at market prices to more accurately evaluate the
profitability of the individual business segments.

Segment information for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is presented in the tables below. The fiscal
2020 and fiscal 2019 results for our Ag segment include results associated with our acquisition of the remaining 75%
ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own on March 1, 2019, which were not included in our fiscal 2018
results. Refer to further details related to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did
not previously own within Note 20, Acquisitions.

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ENERGY

NITROGEN
PRODUCTION

CORPORATE
AND OTHER

RECONCILING
AMOUNTS

AG

Total

For the year ended August 31, 2020

Revenues, including intersegment revenues

$ 5,820,154

$ 22,940,712

$

— $

55,567

$ (410,068)

$ 28,406,365

Intersegment revenues

(389,020)

(14,613)

—

(6,435)

410,068

—

Revenues, net of intersegment revenues

$ 5,431,134

$ 22,926,099

$

— $

49,132

$

— $ 28,406,365

Operating earnings (loss)

Gain on disposal of business

Interest expense

Other income

Equity income from investments

219,861

82,543

(33,497)

—

308

(3,005)

(2,759)

(211)

71,682

(35,349)

—

45,255

(2,635)

8,358

(1,239)

11,806

(9,510)

—

—

(12,074)

12,074

—

277,265

(1,450)

116,977

(38,425)

(186,715)

(7,303)

(127,954)

(48,699)

Income before income taxes

$

225,317

$

53,724

$

51,837

$

56,000

$

— $

386,878

Capital expenditures

Depreciation and amortization

175,169

245,983

158,903

196,510

—

—

84,287

34,882

Total assets as of August 31, 2020

4,447,526

6,325,857

2,681,616

2,538,948

—

—

—

418,359

477,375

15,993,947

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ENERGY

AG

NITROGEN
PRODUCTION

CORPORATE
AND OTHER

RECONCILING
AMOUNTS

TOTAL

For the year ended August 31, 2019

Revenues, including intersegment

revenues

$ 7,581,450 $ 24,736,425

$

— $

68,710 $ (486,132)

$ 31,900,453

Intersegment revenues

(462,374)

(16,353)

—

(7,405)

486,132

—

Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 7,119,076

$ 24,720,072

$

— $

61,305

$

— $ 31,900,453

Operating earnings (loss)

615,662

65,181

(35,046)

13,805

Gain on disposal of business

Interest expense

Other income

Equity income from investments

—

5,719

(5,548)

(2,697)

(3,886)

101,386

(70,888)

—

55,226

(2,769)

—

—

—

11,684

(6,950)

659,602

(3,886)

167,065

(10,168)

6,950

(82,423)

(4,447)

(160,373)

(69,238)

—

(236,755)

Income before income taxes

$

618,188

$

43,016 $

72,870 $

81,527

$

— $

815,601

Capital expenditures

Depreciation and amortization

268,877

233,624

110,197

208,294

—

—

64,142

31,293

Total assets as of August 31, 2019

4,401,793

6,415,580

2,730,306

2,899,815

—

—

—

443,216

473,211

16,447,494

44

CHS 2020

44

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

ENERGY

For the year ended August 31, 2018

NITROGEN
PRODUCTION

AG

CORPORATE
AND OTHER

RECONCILING
AMOUNTS

TOTAL

Revenues, including intersegment revenues

$ 8,068,717

$25,052,395

$

— $

64,516

$ (502,281)

$32,683,347

Intersegment revenues

(479,598)

(14,914)

—

(7,769)

502,281

—

Revenues, net of intersegment revenues

$ 7,589,119 $ 25,037,481

$

— $

56,747

$

— $32,683,347

Operating earnings (loss)

388,112

93,728

(20,619)

(8,857)

Gain on disposal of business

(65,862)

(7,707)

—

(58,247)

—

—

452,364

(131,816)

Interest expense

Other income

Equity (income) loss from investments

14,627

(9,698)

(3,063)

94,256

50,499

(7,712)

(2,468)

149,202

(68,471)

(3,061)

(3,975)

2,468

(82,737)

1,392

(106,895)

(44,949)

—

(153,515)

Income before income taxes

$ 452,108

$

74,258

$ 38,838

$ 106,026 $

— $

671,230

Capital expenditures

Depreciation and amortization

248,207

230,230

77,962

218,716

—

—

29,243

29,104

—

—

355,412

478,050

We have international sales, which are predominantly in our Ag segment. The following table presents our sales,
based on the geographic location of the subsidiary making the sale, for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and
2018:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

North America(a)

South America

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)

Asia Pacific (APAC)

Total

2020

2019

2018

$ 25,360,077

$ 27,896,269

$ 29,475,724

1,559,380

2,027,020

1,569,330

774,068

712,840

895,472

1,081,692

536,501

1,101,792

$ 28,406,365

$ 31,900,453

$ 32,683,347

(a) Revenues in North America are substantially all attributed to revenues from the United States.

Long-lived assets include our property, plant and equipment, finance lease assets and capitalized major maintenance
costs. The following table presents long-lived assets by geographical region based on physical location:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

United States

International

Total

10NOV202015371480

2020

2019

$

5,121,315

$ 5,295,752

65,134

79,846

$ 5,186,449

$ 5,375,598

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

We enter into various derivative instruments to manage our
exposure to movements primarily associated with agricul-
tural and energy commodity prices and, to a lesser degree,

foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Except
for  certain  interest  rate  swaps  and  certain  pay-fixed,
receive-variable, cash-settled swaps related to future crude

45

CHS 2020

45

FIFTEEN: D e r i vat i ve  F i n a n c i a l  I n st r u m e n t s  a n d  H e d g i n g  Ac t i v i t i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

oil purchases, which are accounted for as fair value hedges
and  cash  flow  hedges,  respectively,  our  derivative  instru-
ments represent economic hedges of price risk for which
hedge  accounting  under  ASC  Topic  815  is  not  applied.
Rather, the derivative instruments are recorded on our Con-
solidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair
value being recorded directly to earnings, primarily within
cost  of  goods  sold  in  our  Consolidated  Statements  of
Operations. See Note 16, Fair Value Measurements, for addi-
tional  information.  The  majority  of  our  exchange  traded
agricultural  commodity  futures  are  settled  daily  through
CHS  Hedging,  our  wholly-owned  futures  commission
merchant.

The  following  tables  present  the  gross  fair  values  of
derivative  assets,  derivative 
liabilities  and  margin
deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets, along with related amounts permitted
to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Although we
have  certain  netting  arrangements  for  our  exchange-
traded  futures  and  options  contracts  and  certain
over-the-counter (‘‘OTC’’) contracts, we have elected to
report our derivative instruments on a gross basis on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets under ASC Topic 210-20,
Balance Sheet—Offsetting.

AUGUST 31, 2020

AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET ON THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET BUT ELIGIBLE FOR OFFSETTING

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Derivative Assets

Commodity derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Embedded derivative asset

Total

Derivative Liabilities

Commodity derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Total

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Derivative Assets

Commodity derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Embedded derivative asset

Total

Derivative Liabilities

Commodity derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Total

GROSS AMOUNTS

DERIVATIVE
RECOGNIZED COLLATERAL INSTRUMENTS

CASH

NET
AMOUNTS

$

327,493 $

— $

2,980 $ 324,513

11,809

18,998

—

—

9,385

2,424

—

18,998

358,300 $

— $

12,365 $ 345,935

343,343 $

956 $

5,578 $ 336,809

69,466

—

9,385

60,081

412,809 $

956 $

14,963 $ 396,890

$

$

$

AUGUST 31, 2019

AMOUNTS NOT OFFSET ON THE CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET BUT ELIGIBLE FOR OFFSETTING

GROSS AMOUNTS

DERIVATIVE
RECOGNIZED COLLATERAL INSTRUMENTS

CASH

NET
AMOUNTS

$

215,030 $

— $

58,726 $ 156,304

10,334

21,364

—

—

7,108

3,226

—

21,364

246,728 $

— $ 65,834 $ 180,894

223,410 $

4,191 $

41,647 $ 177,572

20,609

—

7,108

13,501

244,019 $

4,191 $

48,755 $ 191,073

$

$

$

Derivative  assets  and  liabilities  with  maturities  of  less
than 12 months are recorded in other current assets and
other  current  liabilities,  respectively,  on  the  Consoli-
dated  Balance  Sheets.  Derivative  assets  and  liabilities

with maturities greater than 12 months are recorded in
other  assets  and  other  liabilities,  respectively,  on  the
Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of long-term
derivative assets, excluding derivatives accounted for as

46

CHS 2020

46

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

fair value hedges, recorded on the Consolidated Balance
Sheet at August 31, 2020 and 2019, was $21.2 million and
$26.6  million,  respectively.  The  amount  of  long-term
derivative liabilities, excluding derivatives accounted for
as fair value hedges, recorded on the Consolidated Bal-
ance Sheet at August 31, 2020 and 2019, was $5.4 mil-
lion and $7.4 million, respectively.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging
Instruments
The  majority  of  our  derivative  instruments  have  not
been designated as hedging instruments. The following
table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives
not  accounted  for  as  hedging  instruments  that  have
been included in our Consolidated Statements of Oper-
ations  for  the  years  ended  August  31,  2020,  2019  and
2018.

DERIVATIVE TYPE
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Commodity derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Foreign exchange derivatives

Interest rate derivatives

Embedded derivative

Total

LOCATION OF GAIN (LOSS)

Cost of goods sold

Cost of goods sold

Marketing, general and administrative
expenses

Interest expense

Other income

2020

2019

2018

$

89,248 $ 125,323 $

162,321

(184,692)

4,228

(26,010)

(2,986)

(1,229)

596

(1,226)

2,634

—

2,769

(1)

3,061

$ (97,022) $

131,091 $ 139,967

Commodity Contracts
When we enter a commodity purchase or sales commit-
ment, we are exposed to risks related to price changes
and  performance,  including  delivery,  quality,  quantity
and shipment period. If market prices decrease, we are
exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventory
and  purchase  contracts  with  a  fixed  or  partially  fixed
price. Conversely, we are exposed to risk of loss on our
fixed  or  partially  fixed  price  sales  contracts  if  market
prices increase.

designated as hedging instruments for accounting pur-
poses. The contracts are recorded on our Consolidated
Balance Sheets at fair values based on quotes listed on
regulated commodity exchanges or the market prices of
the underlying products listed on the exchanges, except
that  fertilizer  and  certain  propane  contracts  are
accounted  for  as  normal  purchase  and  normal  sales
transactions. Unrealized gains and losses on these con-
tracts are recognized in cost of goods sold in our Con-
solidated Statements of Operations.

Our use of hedging reduces exposure to price volatility
by  protecting  against  adverse  short-term  price  move-
ments,  but  also 
limits  the  benefits  of  favorable
short-term price movements. To reduce price risk asso-
ciated with fixed price commitments, we generally enter
into commodity derivative contracts, to the extent prac-
tical,  to  achieve  a  net  commodity  position  within  the
formal position limits we have established and deemed
prudent for each commodity. These contracts are pri-
marily  transacted  on  regulated  commodity  futures
exchanges,  but  may  also  include  over-the-counter
derivative  instruments  when  deemed  appropriate.  For
commodities  where  there  is  no  liquid  derivative  con-
tract,  risk  is  managed  using  forward  sales  contracts,
other pricing arrangements and, to some extent, futures
contracts in highly correlated commodities. These con-
tracts  are  economic  hedges  of  price  risk,  but  are  not

When  a  futures  position  is  established,  initial  margin
must  be  deposited  with  the  applicable  exchange  or
broker. The amount of margin required varies by com-
modity and is set by the applicable exchange at its sole
discretion. If the market price relative to a short futures
position increases, an additional margin deposit would
be  required.  Similarly,  a  margin  deposit  would  be
required  if  the  market  price  relative  to  a  long  futures
position  decreases.  Conversely,  if  the  market  price
increases relative to a long futures position or decreases
relative to a short futures position, margin deposits may
be returned by the applicable exchange or broker.

Our policy is to manage our commodity price risk expo-
sure according to internal policies and in alignment with
our tolerance for risk. Our profitability from operations is
primarily  derived  from  margins  on  products  sold  and
grain merchandised, not from hedging transactions. At

47

CHS 2020

47

FIFTEEN: D e r i vat i ve  F i n a n c i a l  I n st r u m e n t s  a n d  H e d g i n g  Ac t i v i t i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

any  one  time,  inventory  and  purchase  contracts  for
delivery to us may be substantial. We have risk manage-
ment  policies  that  include  established  net  position
limits. These limits are defined for each commodity and
business unit and may include both trader and manage-
ment limits as appropriate. The limits policy is managed
within each individual business unit to ensure any limits
overage is explained and exposures reduced, or a tem-
porary limit increase is established if needed. The posi-
tion limits are reviewed at least annually with our senior
leadership and Board of Directors. We monitor current
market  conditions  and  may  expand  or  reduce  our  net
position  limits  in  response  to  changes  in  those  condi-
tions.  In  addition,  all  purchase  and  sales  contracts  are
subject to credit approvals and appropriate terms and
conditions.

The  use  of  hedging  instruments  does  not  protect
against nonperformance by counterparties to cash con-
tracts. We evaluate counterparty exposure by reviewing
contracts  and  adjusting  the  values  to  reflect  potential
nonperformance.  Risk  of  nonperformance  by
counterparties includes inability to perform because of
a counterparty’s financial condition and the risk that the
counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during
periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are
significantly  different  than  the  current  market  prices.
We  manage  these  risks  by  entering  into  fixed  price
purchase  and  sales  contracts  with  preapproved  pro-
ducers  and  by  establishing  appropriate  limits  for  indi-
vidual suppliers. Fixed price contracts are entered into
with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as inter-
nally  evaluated.  Regarding  our  use  of  derivatives,  we
primarily  transact  in  exchange  traded  instruments  or
enter  into  over-the-counter  derivatives  that  clear
through a designated clearing organization, which limits
our counterparty exposure relative to hedging activities.
Historically, we have not experienced significant events
of nonperformance on open contracts. Accordingly, we
only adjust the estimated fair values of specifically iden-
tified contracts for nonperformance. Although we have
established policies and procedures, we make no assur-
ances  that  historical  nonperformance  experience  will
carry forward to future periods.

As  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,  we  had  outstanding
commodity  futures  and  options  contracts  that  were
used as economic hedges, as well as fixed-price forward
contracts  related  to  physical  purchases  and  sales  of

commodities.  The  table  below  presents  the  notional
volumes for all outstanding commodity contracts.

DERIVATIVE TYPE
(UNITS IN THOUSANDS)

Grain and oilseed

2020

2019

LONG

SHORT

LONG

SHORT

(bushels)

664,673 892,303 547,096

717,522

Energy products

(barrels)

Processed grain and

oilseed (tons)

Crop nutrients (tons)

Ocean freight (metric

tons)

Natural gas (MMBtu)

10,028

6,570

13,895

4,663

657

74

1,140

—

3,304

127

95

—

597

76

295

130

2,454

23

85

—

Foreign Exchange Contracts
We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S.
dollars, but we are exposed to risks relating to foreign
currency fluctuations primarily due to global grain mar-
keting  transactions  in  South  America,  the  Asia  Pacific
region  and  Europe,  and  purchases  of  products  from
Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments
to  mitigate  the  impact  of  exchange  rate  fluctuations.
Although  CHS  has  some  risk  exposure  relating  to  for-
eign  currency  transactions,  a 
impact  with
exchange  rate  fluctuations  is  the  ability  of  foreign
buyers  to  purchase  U.S.  agricultural  products  and  the
competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products compared
to the same products offered by alternative sources of
world  supply.  The  notional  amounts  of  our  foreign
exchange  derivative  contracts  were  $1.2  billion  and
$894.7  million  as  of  August  31,  2020  and  2019,
respectively.

larger 

Embedded Derivative Asset
Under  the  terms  of  our  strategic  investment  in  CF
Nitrogen,  if  the  CF  Industries  credit  rating  is  reduced
below certain levels by two of three specified credit rat-
ings agencies, we are entitled to receive a nonrefund-
able annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries.
These payments will continue on an annual basis until
the date the CF Industries credit rating is upgraded to or
above certain levels by two of the three specified credit
ratings  agencies  or  February  1,  2026,  whichever  is
earlier.

Since the CF Industries credit rating was reduced below
the specified levels during fiscal 2017, we have received
an annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries.

48

CHS 2020

48

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Gains totaling $2.6 million, $2.8 million and $3.1 million
were  recognized  in  other  income  in  our  Consolidated
Statements of Operations during fiscal 2020, fiscal 2019
and  fiscal  2018,  respectively.  The  fair  value  of  the
embedded  derivative  asset  recorded  on  our  Consoli-
dated Balance Sheet as of August 31, 2020, was equal to
$19.0 million. The current and long-term portions of the
embedded derivative asset are included in other current
assets  and  other  assets  on  our  Consolidated  Balance
Sheet,  respectively.  See  Note  16,  Fair  Value  Measure-
ments,  for  additional  information  regarding  the  valua-
tion of the embedded derivative asset.

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair
Value Hedging Strategies
Fair Value Hedges
During the year ended August 31, 2020, we exited all our
interest  rate  swaps  resulting  in  a  $16.4  million  gain,

which is being amortized over the life of the fixed-rate
debt  for  which  the  swaps  had  previously  been  desig-
nated  as  fair  value  hedges,  through  fiscal  2025.  As  of
August 31, 2019, we had outstanding interest rate swaps
with  an  aggregate  notional  amount  of  $365.0  million
designated  as  fair  value  hedges  of  portions  of  our
fixed-rate  debt.  Our  objective  in  entering  into  these
transactions was to offset changes in the fair value of
the  debt  associated  with  the  risk  of  variability  in  the
three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR interest rate, in essence
converting  the  fixed-rate  debt  to  variable-rate  debt.
Under these interest rate swaps, we received fixed-rate
interest payments and made interest payments based
on  the  three-month  LIBOR.  Offsetting  changes  in  the
fair values of both the swap instruments and the hedged
debt  were  recorded  contemporaneously  each  period
and only created an impact to earnings to the extent the
hedge was ineffective.

The following table presents the fair value of our derivative interest rate swap instruments designated as fair value
hedges and the line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded as of August 31, 2020 and
2019.

BALANCE SHEET LOCATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Other assets

2020

2019

DERIVATIVE ASSETS

$

—

$ 9,841

The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments that have
been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

GAIN (LOSS) ON FAIR VALUE HEDGING RELATIONSHIPS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

LOCATION OF GAIN (LOSS)

2020

2019

2018

Interest rate swaps

Hedged item

Total

Interest expense

Interest expense

$ (1,897) $

21,158

$ 18,723

1,897

(21,158)

(18,723)

$

— $

—

$

—

The  following  table  provides  the  location  and  carrying  amount  of  hedged  liabilities  in  our  Consolidated  Balance
Sheets as of August 31, 2020 and 2019.

BALANCE SHEET LOCATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Long-term debt

AUGUST 31, 2020

AUGUST 31, 2019

CUMULATIVE AMOUNT
OF FAIR VALUE HEDGING
ADJUSTMENTS
INCLUDED
IN THE CARRYING

CARRYING AMOUNT OF
HEDGED LIABILITIES

AMOUNT OF HEDGED CARRYING AMOUNT OF
HEDGED LIABILITIES

LIABILITIES

CUMULATIVE AMOUNT
OF FAIR VALUE HEDGING
ADJUSTMENTS
INCLUDED
IN THE CARRYING
AMOUNT OF HEDGED
LIABILITIES

$

—

$

—

$ 334,389

$

30,611

Cash Flow Hedges
In  fiscal  2018,  our  Energy  segment  began  designating
certain  of  its  pay-fixed,  receive-variable,  cash-settled

swaps as cash flow hedges of future crude oil purchases.
We  also  began  designating  certain  pay-variable,
receive-fixed, cash-settled swaps as cash flow hedges of

49

CHS 2020

49

FIFTEEN: D e r i vat i ve  F i n a n c i a l  I n st r u m e n t s  a n d  H e d g i n g  Ac t i v i t i e s ,  co n t i n u e d

future refined product sales. These hedging instruments
and the related hedged items are exposed to significant
market price risk and potential volatility. As part of our
risk management strategy, we look to hedge a portion of
our  expected  future  crude  oil  needs  and  the  resulting
refined  product  output  based  on  prevailing  futures

prices, management’s expectations about future com-
modity  price  changes  and  our  risk  appetite.  As  of
August  31,  2020  and  2019,  the  aggregate  notional
amount of cash flow hedges was 9.7 million and 7.7 mil-
lion barrels, respectively.

The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges
and the line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded as of August 31, 2020 and 2019.

BALANCE SHEET LOCATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

DERIVATIVE ASSETS

2020

2019

BALANCE SHEET LOCATION
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Other current assets

$ 34,052

$33,179

Other current liabilities

DERIVATIVE LIABILITIES

2020

2019

$ 8,821

$ 5,351

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow
hedges for the years ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Commodity derivatives

2020

2019

2018

$ (2,596) $

27,650

$178

The  following  table  presents  the  pretax  gains  (losses)  relating  to  cash  flow  hedges  that  were  reclassified  from
accumulated  other  comprehensive  loss  into  our  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  for  the  years  ended
August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Commodity derivatives

Location of Gain (Loss)

2020

2019

Cost of goods sold

$ 23,807 $ 11,497

2018

$ —

10NOV202015373133

Fair Value Measurements

ASC  Topic  820,  Fair  Value  Measurement,  defines  fair
value as the price that would be received for an asset or
paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal
or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in
an orderly transaction between market participants on
the measurement date.

assumptions  market  participants  would  use  in  pricing
the asset or liability based on the best information avail-
able  in  the  circumstances.  ASC  Topic  820  describes
three  levels  within  its  hierarchy  that  may  be  used  to
measure  fair  value,  and  our  assessment  of  relevant
instruments within those levels is as follows:

We determine fair values of derivative instruments and
certain  other  assets,  based  on  the  fair  value  hierarchy
established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity
to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize
the  use  of  unobservable  inputs  when  measuring  fair
value.  Observable  inputs  are  inputs  that  reflect  the

Level 1. Values are based on unadjusted quoted prices
in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These
assets  and  liabilities  may  include  exchange-traded
derivative instruments, rabbi trust investments, deferred
compensation 
investments  and  available-for-sale
investments.

50

CHS 2020

50

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Level 2. Values are based on quoted prices for similar
assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for
identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are
not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be
corroborated  by  observable  market  data  for  substan-
tially the full term of the assets or liabilities. These assets
and liabilities include interest rate, foreign exchange and
commodity swaps; forward commodity contracts with a
fixed  price  component;  and  other  OTC  derivatives
whose value is determined with inputs that are based on
exchange  traded  prices,  adjusted  for  location  specific
inputs that are primarily observable in the market or can
be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observ-
able market data.

Level  3. Values  are  generated  from  unobservable
inputs that are supported by little or no market activity
and that are a significant component of the fair value of
the  assets  or  liabilities.  These  unobservable  inputs

would  reflect  our  own  estimates  of  assumptions  that
market participants would use in pricing related assets
or liabilities. Valuation techniques might include the use
of  pricing  models,  discounted  cash  flow  models  or
similar techniques.

The  following  tables  present  assets  and  liabilities,
included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are
recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate
the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine these fair
values.  Assets  and  liabilities  are  classified  in  their
entirety based on the lowest level of input that is a sig-
nificant component of the fair value measurement. The
lowest level of input is considered Level 3. Our assess-
ment of the significance of a particular input to the fair
value measurement requires judgment and may affect
the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within
the fair value hierarchy levels.

Recurring fair value measurements at August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Assets

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency derivatives

Deferred compensation assets

Embedded derivative asset

Segregated investments

Other assets

Total

Liabilities

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency derivatives

Total

2020

QUOTED PRICES IN
ACTIVE MARKETS FOR
IDENTICAL ASSETS
(LEVEL 1)

SIGNIFICANT
SIGNIFICANT OTHER UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

OBSERVABLE
INPUTS (LEVEL 2)

TOTAL

$

5,762

$

355,783

$ — $

361,545

—

47,669

—

85,950

5,276

11,523

—

18,998

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

11,523

47,669

18,998

85,950

5,276

$ 144,657

$ 386,304

$ — $

530,961

$

6,037

$

346,126

$ — $

352,163

—

69,467

—

69,467

$

6,037

$

415,593

$ — $

421,630

51

CHS 2020

51

SIXTEEN: Fa i r  Va l u e  M e a s u re m e n t s ,  co n t i n u e d

2019

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Assets

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency derivatives

Interest rate swap derivatives

Deferred compensation assets

Embedded derivative asset

Segregated investments

Other assets

Total

Liabilities

Commodity derivatives

Foreign currency derivatives

Total

and 

foreign 

Commodity 
currency  derivatives.
Exchange-traded  futures  and  options  contracts  are
valued  based  on  unadjusted  quoted  prices  in  active
markets  and  are  classified  within  Level  1.  Our  forward
commodity  purchase  and  sales  contracts  with  fixed-
price  components,  select  ocean  freight  contracts  and
other OTC derivatives are determined using inputs that
are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or
recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location spe-
cific inputs, and are classified within Level 2. Location-
specific  inputs  are  driven  by  local  market  supply  and
demand  and  are  generally  based  on  broker  or  dealer
quotations or market transactions in either listed or OTC
markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts
are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Oper-
ations as a component of cost of goods sold.

Interest  rate  swap  derivatives. Fair  values  of  our
interest  rate  swap  derivatives  are  determined  utilizing
valuation models that are widely accepted in the market
to  value  these  OTC  derivative  contracts.  The  specific
terms  of  the  contracts,  as  well  as  market  observable
inputs,  such  as  interest  rates  and  credit  risk  assump-
tions,  are  factored  into  the  models.  As  all  significant
inputs are market observable, all interest rate swaps are
classified  within  Level  2.  Changes  in  the  fair  values  of
contracts  not  designated  as  hedging  instruments  for
accounting  purposes  are  recognized  in  our  Consoli-
dated  Statements  of  Operations  as  a  component  of
interest expense. As of August 31, 2020, all interest rate

52

52

CHS 2020

QUOTED PRICES IN
ACTIVE MARKETS FOR

IDENTICAL ASSETS OBSERVABLE INPUTS
(LEVEL 2)

(LEVEL 1)

SIGNIFICANT
SIGNIFICANT OTHER UNOBSERVABLE
INPUTS
(LEVEL 3)

TOTAL

$

67,817

$

180,392

$ — $ 248,209

—

—

40,368

—

77,777

6,519

10,339

9,841

—

21,364

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

10,339

9,841

40,368

21,364

77,777

6,519

$

192,481

$

221,936

$ — $

414,417

$

40,305

$

188,455

$ — $ 228,760

—

20,701

—

20,701

$

40,305

$

209,156

$ — $

249,461

swaps were unwound. See Note 15, Derivative Financial
Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional infor-
mation  about  interest  rates  swaps  designated  as  fair
value and cash flow hedges.

Deferred  compensation  and  other  assets. Our
deferred compensation investments consist primarily of
rabbi trust assets that are valued based on unadjusted
quoted prices on active exchanges and classified within
Level 1. Changes in the fair values of these other assets
are  primarily  recognized  in  our  Consolidated  State-
ments of Operations as a component of marketing, gen-
eral and administrative expenses.

Embedded derivative asset. The embedded derivative
asset  relates  to  contingent  payments  inherent  to  our
investment  in  CF  Nitrogen.  The  inputs  used  in  the  fair
value  measurement  include  the  probability  of  future
upgrades  and  downgrades  of  the  CF  Industries  credit
rating  based  on  historical  credit  rating  movements  of
other public companies and the discount rates applied to
potential annual payments based on applicable historical
and current yield coupon rates. Based on these observ-
able  inputs,  our  fair  value  measurement  is  classified
within  Level  2.  See  Note  15,  Derivative  Financial  Instru-
ments and Hedging Activities, for additional information.

Segregated  investments. Our  segregated  investments
are comprised of U.S. Treasury securities, which are valued
using quoted market prices and classified within Level 1.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10NOV202015372749

Commitments and Contingencies

Environmental
We are required to comply with various environmental
laws and regulations incidental to our normal business
operations.  To  meet  our  compliance  requirements,  we
establish reserves for future costs of remediation associ-
ated with identified issues that are both probable and
can  be  reasonably  estimated.  Estimates  of  environ-
mental  costs  are  based  on  current  available  facts,
existing  technology,  undiscounted  site-specific  costs
and  currently  enacted  laws  and  regulations  and  are
included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general
and administrative expenses in our Consolidated State-
ments of Operations. Recoveries, if any, are recorded in
the period in which recovery is received. Liabilities are
monitored and adjusted as new facts or changes in law
or technology occur. The resolution of any such matters
may  affect  consolidated  net  income  for  any  fiscal
period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, indi-
vidually  or  in  the  aggregate,  will  not  have  a  material
effect on our consolidated financial position, results of
operations or cash flows during any fiscal year.

Other Litigation and Claims
We  are  involved  as  a  defendant  in  various  lawsuits,
claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of
our  business.  The  resolution  of  any  such  matters  may

affect  consolidated  net  income  for  any  fiscal  period;
however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually
or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our
consolidated financial position, results of operations or
cash flows during any fiscal year.

Guarantees
We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance
obligations of related, nonconsolidated companies. Our
bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of $1.0 bil-
lion,  of  which  $127.9  million  were  outstanding  on
August  31,  2020.  We  have  collateral  for  a  portion  of
these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a
liability related to the contingent obligations as we do
not expect to pay out any cash related to them, and the
fair  values  are  considered  immaterial.  The  underlying
loans to the counterparties for which we provide these
guarantees are current as of August 31, 2020.

Credit Commitments
CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to cus-
tomers  if  there  is  no  violation  of  any  condition  estab-
lished  in  the  contracts.  As  of  August  31,  2020,  CHS
Capital  customers  have  additional  available  credit  of
$714.5 million.

Unconditional Purchase Obligations
Unconditional purchase obligations are commitments to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or
quantities  of  goods  or  services  at  fixed  or  minimum  prices.  Our  long-term  unconditional  purchase  obligations
primarily relate to pipeline and grain handling take-or-pay and throughput agreements and are not recorded on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2020, minimum future payments required under long-term commit-
ments  that  are  noncancelable,  and  that  third  parties  have  used  to  secure  financing  for  facilities  that  will  provide
contracted goods, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Total

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 THEREAFTER

Long-term unconditional purchase obligations

$

544,203 $ 78,939 $ 58,214 $ 58,592 $ 58,262 $ 52,702 $ 237,494

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD

Total payments under these arrangements were $77.6 million, $70.8 million and $61.4 million for the years ended
August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

53

CHS 2020

53

10NOV202015371092

Related Party Transactions

We purchase and sell grain and other agricultural commodity products from certain equity investees, primarily CF
Nitrogen, Ventura Foods, Ardent Mills and TEMCO, LLC. Sales to and purchases from related parties for the years
ended August 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Sales

Purchases

2020

2019

2018

$

2,528,921 $ 2,628,670 $ 2,928,984

872,819

901,812

2,505,185

Receivables due from and payables due to related parties as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Due from related parties

Due to related parties

2020

2019

$ 129,397 $ 26,785

53,602

60,156

As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers and ranchers and their member cooperatives, which are referred to as
members. We buy commodities from and provide products and services to our members. Individually, our members
do not have a significant ownership in CHS.

10NOV202015372115

Leases

We adopted ASC Topic 842 on September 1, 2019, using
the  modified  retrospective  approach.  In  addition,  we
used  the  additional  optional  transition  method  and
package of practical expedients in the period of adop-
tion  without  retrospective  adjustment  to  previous
periods presented, although we elected not to apply the
hindsight  practical  expedient.  As  a  result  of  using  the
additional  optional  transition  method  and  following  a
modified retrospective approach, prior periods have not
been  restated,  and  a  $25.3  million  cumulative-effect
adjustment, including the deferred income tax impact,
was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital
reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition
of  previously  deferred  gains  associated  with  the
sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building
located 
Inver  Grove  Heights,  Minnesota.  Our
accounting for finance leases (previously referred to as

in 

capital  leases)  remains  substantially  unchanged;  how-
ever, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in recognition
of  operating  lease  right  of  use  assets  and  associated
lease  liabilities  of  $268.4  million  and  $267.0  million,
respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC
Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Consoli-
dated Statements of Operations or Consolidated State-
ments of Cash Flows.

We  assess  arrangements  at  inception  to  determine
whether they contain a lease. An arrangement is consid-
ered to contain a lease if it conveys the right to control
the use of an asset for a period of time in exchange for
consideration. The right to control the use of an asset
must include both (a) the right to obtain substantially all
economic  benefits  associated  with  an  identified  asset
and (b) the right to direct how and for what purpose the
identified  asset  is  used.  Certain  arrangements  provide

54

CHS 2020

54

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

us  with  the  right  to  use  an  identified  asset;  however,
most  of  these  arrangements  are  not  considered  to
represent a lease as we do not control how and for what
purpose the identified asset is used. For example, our
supply  agreements,  warehousing  and  distribution  ser-
vices  agreements,  and  transportation  services  agree-
ments generally do not contain leases.

We  lease  property,  plant  and  equipment  used  in  our
operations primarily under operating lease agreements
and, to a lesser extent, under finance lease agreements.
Our  operating  leases  are  primarily  for  railcars,  equip-
ment, vehicles and office space, many of which contain
renewal  options  and  escalation  clauses.  Renewal
options are included as part of the right of use asset and
liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise
the renewal option; however, renewal options are gener-
ally  not  included  as  we  are  not  reasonably  certain  to
exercise such options.

Operating  lease  right  of  use  assets  and  liabilities  for
operating leases are recognized at the lease commence-
ment date for leases in excess of 12 months based on the
present value of lease payments over the lease term. For
measurement  and  classification  of  lease  agreements,
lease  and  nonlease  components  are  grouped  into  a
single  lease  component  for  all  asset  classes.  Variable
lease  payments  are  excluded  from  measurement  of
right of use assets and liabilities and generally include
payments  for  nonlease  components  such  as  mainte-
nance  costs,  payments  for  leased  assets  beyond  their

noncancelable  lease  term  and  payments  for  other
nonlease  components  such  as  sales  tax.  The  discount
rate used to calculate present value is our collateralized
incremental  borrowing  rate  or,  if  available,  the  rate
implicit in the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is
determined for each lease based primarily on its lease
term.  Certain  lease  arrangements  include  rental  pay-
ments adjusted annually based on changes in an infla-
tion  index.  Our  lease  arrangements  generally  do  not
contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive
covenants.

Lease  expense  is  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis
over the lease term. The components of lease expense
recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements
of Operations are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Operating lease expense

Finance lease expense:

Amortization of assets

Interest on lease liabilities

Short-term lease expense

Variable lease expense

Total net lease expense*

YEAR ENDED
AUGUST 31, 2020

$

71,541

8,205

1,060

15,991

3,674

$

100,471

*

Income related to sub-lease activity is not material and has
been excluded from the table above.

55

CHS 2020

55

NINETEEN: Le a s e s ,  co n t i n u e d

Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and finance leases is as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Operating leases

Assets

BALANCE SHEET LOCATION

AUGUST 31,
2020

Operating lease right of use assets

Other assets

$

257,834

Liabilities

Current operating lease liabilities

Long-term operating lease liabilities

Total operating lease liabilities

Finance leases

Assets

Finance lease assets

Liabilities

Current finance lease liabilities

Long-term finance lease liabilities

Total finance lease liabilities

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)

Operating leases

Finance leases

Weighted average discount rate

Operating leases

Finance leases

Accrued expenses

Other liabilities

57,200

203,691

$

260,891

Property, plant and equipment

$

44,860

Current portion of long-term debt

Long-term debt

7,993

23,467

$

31,460

8.3

6.0

3.11%

3.33%

Supplemental cash flow and other information related
to operating and finance leases is as follows:

Maturities of lease liabilities as of August 31, 2020, were
as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Cash paid for amounts included in measurement

of lease liabilities:

YEAR
ENDED
AUGUST 31,
2020

Operating cash flows from operating leases

$ 71,003

Operating cash flows from finance leases

Financing cash flows from finance leases

Supplemental noncash information:

Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease

liabilities

Right of use asset modifications

1,060

7,949

56,461

7,333

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCE LEASES OPERATING LEASES

AUGUST 31, 2020

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2024

Fiscal 2025

Thereafter

Total maturities of lease

liabilities

Less amounts representing

interest

Present value of future

minimum lease payments

Less current obligations

$

8,845

$

64,379

7,017

6,053

3,443

2,046

7,933

50,398

40,269

32,195

23,034

95,553

35,337

305,828

3,877

44,937

31,460

7,993

260,891

57,200

Long-term obligations

$ 23,467

$

203,691

56

CHS 2020

56

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption
of New Lease Standard
The following pertains to previously disclosed informa-
tion  in  our  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K  for  the  fiscal
year  ended  August  31,  2019,  which  incorporates  infor-
mation about leases now in the scope of ASC Topic 842.
Total rental expense for operating leases was $113.3 mil-
lion, $88.5 million and $81.3 million for the years ended
August  31,  2019,  2018  and  2017,  respectively.  Various
leases  under  capital  lease  totaled  $62.7  million  and
$50.0  million  as  of  August  31,  2019  and  2018,  respec-
tively.  Accumulated  amortization  on  assets  under
capital leases was $20.6 million and $18.9 million as of
August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Minimum future
lease  payments  required  under  noncancelable  capital

and  operating  leases  as  of  August  31,  2019,  were  as
follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

FINANCE LEASES OPERATING LEASES

AUGUST 31, 2019

Fiscal 2020

Fiscal 2021

Fiscal 2022

Fiscal 2023

Fiscal 2024

Thereafter

Total minimum future lease

payments

Less amount representing

interest

$

6,761

$

87,168

6,199

5,021

4,548

2,638

6,517

57,381

43,665

34,328

26,793

92,653

31,684

$

341,988

3,445

Present value of net minimum

lease payments

$ 28,239

10NOV202015374020

Acquisitions

On March 1, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the
remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD, a full-service
wholesale distributor of agronomy products that oper-
ates primarily in the United States. The purchase price
was  equal  to  $113.4  million,  including  $6.7  million  that
was previously paid and $106.7 million paid on March 1,
2019,  of  which  the  net  cash  flows  were  reduced  by
$8.0 million of cash acquired. Prior to completing this
acquisition  and  through  February  28,  2019,  we  had  a
25% ownership interest in WCD, which was accounted
for under the equity method of accounting whereby we
shared in the economics of WCD earnings on a pro-rata
basis. Related party transactions through the date of the
acquisition have been included within Note 18, Related
Party Transactions. By acquiring the remaining owner-
ship  interest  in  WCD,  we  were  able  to  expand  our
agronomy  platform,  position  ourselves  as  a  leading
supply  partner  to  cooperatives  and  retailers  serving
growers throughout the United States and add value for
our owners. The WCD enterprise value was determined

using  a  discounted  cash  flow  model  in  which  the  fair
value  of  the  business  was  estimated  based  on  the
earning capacity of WCD. We estimated the fair value of
the previously held equity interest to be equal to 25% of
the total fair value of WCD, which was implied based on
the  purchase  price  we  paid  for  the  remaining  75%
interest. The acquisition-date fair value of the previous
equity interest was $37.8 million and is included in the
measurement  of  the  consideration  transferred.  We
recognized  a  gain  of  approximately  $19.1  million  as  a
result of remeasuring our prior equity interest in WCD
held  before  the  acquisition  of  the  remaining  75%
interest. The gain is included in other (income) loss in
our Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Allocation  of  the  purchase  price  for  this  transaction
resulted in goodwill of $61.4 million, which is nondeduct-
ible for tax purposes, and definite-lived intangible assets
of $47.2 million. As this acquisition is not considered to
have a material impact on our financial statements, pro

57

CHS 2020

57

TWENTY: Acq u i s i t i o n s ,  co n t i n u e d

forma  results  of  operations  are  not  presented.  The
acquisition resulted in fair value measurements that are
not  on  a  recurring  basis  and  did  not  have  a  material
impact  on  our  consolidated  results  of  operations.
Purchase accounting has been finalized and fair values
assigned to the net assets acquired are as follows:

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

Cash

Other current assets

Property, plant and equipment

Goodwill

Other intangible assets

Other non-current assets

Liabilities

Total net assets acquired

$

8,033

708,764

44,064

61,358

47,200

55

(718,262)

$

151,212

Operating results for WCD are included in our Consoli-
dated  Statements  of  Operations  from  the  day  of  the
acquisition on March 1, 2019, through August 31, 2020.
WCD  revenues  and  income  before  income  taxes  were
$569.2  million  and  $19.0  million,  respectively,  for  the
year  ended  August  31,  2020,  and  $456.2  million  and
$12.9 million, respectively, for the year ended August 31,
2019.  Due  to  the  timing  of  the  acquisition  during  the
third quarter of fiscal 2019, WCD’s results prior to acqui-
sition were not included in the fiscal 2019 or fiscal 2018
results.

58

CHS 2020

58

11NOV202018120425

To the Board of Directors, Members and Patrons of CHS Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CHS Inc. and its subsidiaries (the ‘‘Company’’) as
of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes
in equities and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2020, including the related notes
(collectively referred to as the ‘‘consolidated financial statements’’). In our opinion, the consolidated financial state-
ments present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 2020 and 2019, and
the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2020 in
conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Change in Accounting Principle
As  discussed  in  Note  1  to  the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the  Company  changed  the  manner  in  which  it
accounts for leases as of September 1, 2019.

Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to
express  an  opinion  on  the  Company’s  consolidated  financial  statements  based  on  our  audits.  We  are  a  public
accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB.
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the
consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is
not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part
of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the
purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial
statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures
included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

11NOV202017481043

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
November 5, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1998.

59

CHS 2020

59

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

To create this annual report, CHS worked with cooperative teams and farmer-owners and their families. The collective 
accomplishments described in these pages reflect their commitment to the cooperative system. We thank them for their 
cooperative spirit.

Minnesota: Ken Bourquin, Bourquin Farms, Eyota, Minn.; Dusty Dienst, Faribault, Minn.; Brittany Smith, Dallas Tesmer, 
Jordan Thiel, Tommy Weinrich and the teams at CHS locations based in Rochester, Minn.; the CHS team based in Herman, 
Minn.; the CHS grain terminal team at Savage, Minn.; Troy Hamstad and the CHS Agronomy team at Brooten, Minn.

Montana: Amy Thompson, Lewiston, Mont.; Baily Hagedorn and Bronya Willmore, CHS Animal Nutrition, Lewiston, Mont.; 
the team at CHS Mountain West, Kalispell, Mont.; Darin Foote, Stene Hultgren and the CHS refinery team, Laurel, Mont.

Nebraska: Greg, Davin and Erik Peterson, Gering, Neb.; Greta Birch, Marcie Oehlke and the team of WESTCO, Alliance, Neb.

North Dakota: Peter Ness, Sharon, N.D.; Devin Gaugler and the CHS Sunflower team at Grandin, N.D.

Oklahoma: Tim Darst, Jason Kroener and the CHS team at Okarche, Okla.

Washington: Jordyn Land, Jori Templeton and the TEMCO export facility teams at Kalama and Tacoma, Wash.

Wisconsin: The team of Synergy Cooperative, based in Ridgeland, Wis.

60      CHS 2020

CHS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Dan Schurr 
Chair 
LeClaire, Iowa

C.J. Blew 
First vice chair 
Castleton, Kansas

Jon Erickson 
Second vice chair 
Minot, North Dakota

Russ Kehl 
Secretary-treasurer 
Quincy, Washington

Steve Riegel 
Assistant secretary-treasurer 
Ford, Kansas

David Beckman 
Elgin, Nebraska

Hal Clemensen 
Aberdeen, South Dakota

Scott Cordes 
Wanamingo, Minnesota

Mark Farrell 
Cross Plains, Wisconsin

Steve Fritel 
Barton, North Dakota

Alan Holm 
Sleepy Eye, Minnesota

David Johnsrud 
Starbuck, Minnesota

Tracy Jones 
Kirkland, Illinois

David Kayser 
Alexandria, South Dakota

Edward Malesich 
Dillon, Montana

Perry Meyer 
New Ulm, Minnesota

Kevin Throener 
Cogswell, North Dakota

Detailed biographical information on the CHS 
Board of Directors is available at chsinc.com.

CHS 2020      61

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Jay Debertin 
President and  
chief executive officer

David Black 
Senior vice president, 
enterprise strategy and 
chief information officer

Rick Dusek 
Executive vice 
president, CHS 
Country Operations

John Griffith 
Senior vice president, 
CHS Global Grain 
& Processing and 
CHS Hedging

Gary Halvorson 
Senior vice president, 
CHS Agronomy

Darin Hunhoff 
Executive vice president, 
CHS Energy

Mary Kaul-Hottinger 
Senior vice president, 
Human Resources

Olivia Nelligan 
Executive vice 
president and chief 
financial officer

Jim Zappa 
Executive vice president 
and general counsel

Detailed biographical information on the CHS leadership team is available at chsinc.com.

62      CHS 2020

5500 Cenex Drive 
Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077

chsinc.com

NASDAQ: CHSCP, CHSCO,  
CHSCN, CHSCM, CHSCL

© 2020 CHS Inc.