10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x	Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019
o	Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Commission file number 000-50254

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
South Dakota	46-0460790
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
46269 SD Highway 34 P.O. Box 100 Wentworth, South Dakota	57075
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)
(605) 483-2676
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Membership Units

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.        x Yes o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

x Yes    o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer", "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer o	Accelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer x	Smaller Reporting Company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	Emerging Growth Company o
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). o Yes x No

As of May 15, 2019, there are 29,620,000 membership units of the registrant outstanding.

INDEX

	Page No.
Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION	3
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)	3
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	18
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	24
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	25
Part II OTHER INFORMATION	25
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	25
Item 1A. Risk Factors	25
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	25
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities	26
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures	26
Item 5. Other Information	26
Item 6. Exhibits	26
Signatures	27

2

PART I.        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
ASSETS	(unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,235,691		$	1,697,937
Accounts receivable	4,028,605			1,202,196
Other receivables	—			26,857
Inventory	6,566,629			7,561,501
Derivative financial instruments	721,277			554,005
Prepaid expenses	240,647			265,793
Total current assets	13,792,849			11,308,289
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	874,473			874,473
Land improvements	8,558,720			8,558,720
Buildings	9,001,546			9,001,546
Equipment	61,839,725			61,839,725
Construction in progress	30,933,329			26,203,702
	111,207,793			106,478,166
Less accumulated depreciation	(43,588,116		)	(42,729,898		)
Net property and equipment	67,619,677			63,748,268
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766			10,395,766
Investments	17,523,398			17,300,470
Other	109,281			113,279
Total other assets	28,028,445			27,809,515
TOTAL ASSETS	$	109,440,971		$	102,866,072

* Derived from audited financial statements.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Balance Sheets

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS’ EQUITY	(unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	$	3,667,451	$	2,247,215
Accounts payable	3,869,158		6,849,896
Accrued liabilities	728,308		765,994
Derivative financial instruments	254,337		368,475
Current portion of notes payable	1,000,000		1,000,000
Other	4,000		4,000
Total current liabilities	9,523,254		11,235,580
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable	30,086,389		23,585,368
Other	4,000		8,000
Total long-term liabilities	30,090,389		23,593,368
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)	69,827,328		68,037,124
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$	109,440,971	$	102,866,072

* Derived from audited financial statements.

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019		Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
REVENUES	$	21,613,298	$	19,804,272
COSTS OF REVENUES	19,163,036		17,192,151
GROSS PROFIT	2,450,262		2,612,121
OPERATING EXPENSES	1,009,327		983,243
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS	1,440,935		1,628,878
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	135,408		38,355
Equity in net income of investments	213,861		209,464
Total other income (expense)	349,269		247,819
NET INCOME	$	1,790,204	$	1,876,697
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	$	0.06	$	0.06
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS PER UNIT	29,620,000		29,620,000
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT	$	—	$	0.10

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Statements of Changes in Members' Equity

	Members' Equity
Balance - December 31, 2017	$	68,282,537
Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018	1,876,697
Member distributions	(2,962,000		)
Balance - March 31, 2018	$	67,197,234

	Members' Equity
Balance - December 31, 2018	$	68,037,124
Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019	1,790,204
Balance - March 31, 2019	$	69,827,328

Notes to Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

6

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2019			Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$	1,790,204		$	1,876,697
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash (used in) operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	863,237			718,182
(Earnings) distributions in excess of (distributions) earnings from investments	(122,547		)	890,536
(Increase) decrease in
Accounts receivable	(2,799,553		)	1,313,647
Inventory	994,873			(1,821,820		)
Prepaid expenses	25,146			(16,107		)
Derivative financial instruments	(281,410		)	(430,687		)
(Decrease) in
Accounts payable	(3,008,734		)	(3,945,111		)
Accrued and other liabilities	(41,686		)	(171,246		)
NET CASH (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(2,580,470		)	(1,585,909		)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment	(4,701,630		)	(3,071,172		)
Purchase of investments	(100,382		)	—
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(4,802,012		)	(3,071,172		)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	1,420,236			272,779
Borrowings on notes payable	12,500,000			3,000,000
Payments on notes payable	(6,000,000		)	—
Financing costs paid	—			(91,387		)
Distributions paid to members	—			(2,962,000		)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	7,920,236			219,392
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	537,754			(4,437,689		)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	1,697,937			5,102,959
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	$	2,235,691		$	665,270
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of capitalized interest of $307,885 and $98,131 in 2019 and 2018, respectively.	$	—		$	—
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	1,188,830			924,931

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

7

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

NOTE 1    .    NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Principal Business Activity

Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC and subsidiary (the "Company") is a South Dakota limited liability company.

The Company owns and manages Dakota Ethanol, LLC ("Dakota Ethanol"), a 40 million-gallon (annual nameplate capacity) ethanol plant, located near Wentworth, South Dakota. Dakota Ethanol sells ethanol and related products to customers located in North America.

In addition, the Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. See note 4 for further details.

NOTE 2.    SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for 2018.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company has adopted the guidance of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Topic 606 requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company generally recognizes revenue at a point in time. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers have one performance obligation and a contract duration of one year or less.

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point and the control of the goods transfers to customers when the goods are loaded into rail cars or trucks. Consideration is based on predetermined contractual prices or on current market prices.

• sales of ethanol

• sales of distillers grains

• sales of distillers corn oil

8

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

Disaggregation of revenue:

All revenue recognized in the income statement is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,335,825	$	15,551,565
Revenues distillers grains	4,484,350		3,694,336
Revenues distillers corn oil	793,123		558,371
	$	21,613,298	$	19,804,272

Contract assets and contract liabilities:

The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities from contracts with customers.

The Company receives payments from customers based upon contractual billing schedules; accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract.

Shipping costs

Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

When the Company performs shipping and handling activities after the transfer of control to the customers (e.g., when control transfers prior to delivery), they are considered as fulfillment activities, and accordingly, the costs are accrued for when the related revenue is recognized.

Operating Segment

The Company uses the "management approach" for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the "management approach" model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of a single operating segment.

Cost of Revenues

The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.

Shipping costs on modified and wet distillers grains are included in cost of revenues.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

9

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

Receivables and Credit Policies

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The valuation allowance was $2,131 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 respectively.

Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that the Company manages by using forward or derivative instruments are price risks on anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil.

The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow us to pass along increased corn costs to our customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.

Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting as normal purchases or normal sales.  Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.

The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1.8 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.46 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 10% of the annual projected plant corn usage.

The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 451,000 MMBtu’s of natural gas with an average price of $2.49 per MMBtu.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchase contracts represent 39% of the annual plant requirements.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 20,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $128 per ton.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 14% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 2.3 million pounds of distillers corn oil with

10

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

an average price of $0.25 per pound.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 20% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2019.

The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for ethanol, corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments. To reduce that risk, the Company generally takes positions using forward and futures contracts and options.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Forward contracts in gain position		$	7,153		$	676
Futures contracts in gain position		69,475			175,038
Futures contracts in loss position		(10,163		)	—
Total forward and futures contracts		66,465			175,714
Cash held by broker		654,812			378,291
	Current Assets	$	721,277		$	554,005
Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(254,337	)	$	(368,475	)

*Derived from audited financial statements

Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.

Forward contracts are with multiple parties and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and futures and options contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.

	Statement of Income	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2019			2018
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	160,886		$	(783,845	)
Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(119,374		)	717,971

11

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

Investments

The Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are all flow-through entities. Per ASC 323-30-S99-1, they are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account.  Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or net realizable value accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The standard has not had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)" (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2107-04 simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. It eliminates the two-step process of assessing goodwill impairment and replaces it with one step which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" (ASU 2018-13). ASU 2108-13 improves the effectiveness of the fair value disclosures in the financial statements. It adds, removes and modifies various disclosure requirements relating to the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 3.     INVENTORY

Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Raw materials	$	2,958,031	$	3,396,707
Finished goods	1,963,909		2,589,255
Work in process	528,737		514,881
Parts inventory	1,115,952		1,060,658
	$	6,566,629	$	7,561,501

*Derived from audited financial statements.

12

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

NOTE 4.    INVESTMENTS

Dakota Ethanol has a 6% investment interest in the Company’s ethanol marketer, Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG).  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for RPMG is based on RPMG’s December 31, 2018 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,237,000 and $1,312,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Dakota Ethanol has a 10% investment interest in Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC (LT), a partnership to operate an ethanol storage terminal in Georgia.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for LT is based on LT’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $270,000 and $266,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 10% investment interest in Guardian Hankinson, LLC (GH), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in North Dakota.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GH is based on GH’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $5,551,000 and $5,274,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 17% investment interest in Guardian Energy Management, LLC (GEM), a partnership to provide management services to ethanol plants.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GEM is based on GEM’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $53,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Lake Area Corn Processors has an 11% investment interest in Ring-neck Energy and Feeds, LLC (REF), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in South Dakota.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for REF is based on REF’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $10,412,000 and $10,396,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. 2017 was the initial year for the investment in REF and the ethanol plant is currently under construction. The carrying amount of the investment exceeds the underlying equity in net assets by approximately $1,120,000. The excess is comprised of a basis adjustment of approximately $474,000 and capitalized interest of $646,000. The excess will be amortized over 20 years when the plant becomes operational. The amortization will be recorded in equity in net income of investments.

Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company’s investments in RPMG, LT, GH, GEM and REF is as follows:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	211,120,170	$	189,839,430
Other Assets	234,393,571		234,748,455
Current Liabilities	166,492,477		175,836,322
Long-term Liabilities	105,888,646		78,589,892
Members' Equity	173,132,618		170,161,671
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019		March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	60,642,960	$	65,898,841
Gross Profit	6,057,980		6,328,577
Net Income	3,010,741		2,733,408

13

LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

The following table shows the condensed financial information of Ring-neck Energy & Feed:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	794,325		$	1,018,076
Other Assets	133,030,036			128,668,387
Current Liabilities	5,791,167			5,724,979
Long-term Liabilities	45,197,190			40,414,089
Members' Equity	82,836,004			83,547,395
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	—		$	—
Gross Profit	—			—
Net Income (Loss)	(704,938		)	(744,021		)

The Company recorded equity in net (loss) of approximately ($79,000) and ($85,000) from REF for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $299,000 and $293,000 from its other investments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

NOTE 5.    REVOLVING OPERATING NOTE

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount up to $10,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, whichever is less. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 300 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.50% at March 31, 2019. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $6,651,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

NOTE 6.    LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

On August 1, 2017, Dakota Ethanol executed a term note from FCSA in the amount of $8,000,000. Dakota Ethanol agreed to make monthly interest payments starting September 1, 2017 and annual principal payments of $1,000,000 starting on August 1, 2018. The notes matures on August 1, 2025. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $7,000,000 outstanding on the note.

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a reducing revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount up to $40,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing availability under the credit agreement. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $1,750,000 semi-annually starting on January 1, 2020 until the maximum balance reaches $26,000,000 on July 1, 2023. The note matures on January 1, 2026. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $24,100,000 outstanding and $15,900,000 available to be drawn on the note.

As part of the note payable agreement, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits, minimum debt service coverage ratios, net worth and working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

The balances of the notes payable are as follows:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Notes Payable - FCSA	$	31,100,000		$	24,600,000
Less unamortized debt issuance costs	(13,611		)	(14,632		)
	31,086,389			24,585,368
Less current portion	(1,000,000		)	(1,000,000		)
	$	30,086,389		$	23,585,368
*Derived from audited financial statements

Principal maturities for the next five years are estimated as follows:

Years Ending March 31,	Principal
2020	$	1,000,000
2021	1,000,000
2022	1,000,000
2023	1,000,000
2024	1,000,000
thereafter	26,100,000

NOTE 7.    FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company complies with the fair value measurements and disclosures standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for those assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet on a fair value basis.

The Company’s balance sheet contains derivative financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements and disclosures require that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Derivative financial instruments. Commodity futures and options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the CBOT and NYMEX markets. Over-the-counter commodity options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the over-the-counter markets. Forward purchase contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from local grain terminal bid values. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include live trading bids from local elevators and processing plants which are based off the CBOT markets.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
March 31, 2019
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	69,475		$	69,475		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	7,153		$	—		$	7,153		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	(10,163	)	$	(10,163	)	$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	(254,337	)	$	—		$	(254,337	)	$	—
December 31, 2018*
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	175,038		$	175,038		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	676		$	—		$	676		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	368,475		$	—		$	368,475		$	—

*Derived from audited financial statements.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were not significant at March 31, 2019.

Disclosure requirements for fair value of financial instruments require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are discussed above.

The Company believes the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents (level 1), accounts receivable (level 2), other receivables (level 2), accounts payable and accruals (level 2) and short-term debt (level 3) approximates fair value.

The carrying amount of long-term obligations (level 3) at March 31, 2019 of $31,100,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $31,100,000 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt. The carrying amount of long-term obligations at December 31, 2018 of $24,600,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $24,600,000.

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LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

NOTE 8.    RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Dakota Ethanol has a 6% interest in RPMG, and Dakota Ethanol has entered into marketing agreements for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil inventories produced by Dakota Ethanol.  The marketing fees are included in net revenues.

Revenues and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,396,785	$	15,617,431
Revenues distillers dried grains	325,582		239,211
Revenues corn oil	799,556		563,350
Marketing fees ethanol	60,960		65,865
Marketing fees distillers dried grains	2,177		574
Marketing fees corn oil	6,433		4,980
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$	3,701,774	$	836,798

*Derived from audited financial statements.

The Company purchased corn and services from members of its Board of Managers that farm and operate local businesses. The Company also purchased ingredients from RPMG. Purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $241,000 and $423,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the amount we owed to related parties was approximately $22,000 and $37,000, respectively.

NOTE 9.    COMMITMENTS

Dakota Ethanol entered into a design-build agreement with Nelson Engineering Co. for the design and construction of the plant expansion to increase its production capacity to approximately 90 million gallons of ethanol per year. The cost of the expansion is expected to be approximately $35.9 million. There is approximately $3.1 million remaining as of March 31, 2019. The expansion is currently under construction. The Company anticipates that the expansion will be complete during the Company's second quarter of 2019. The Company will pay for the project with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt as amended on February 6, 2018.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We prepared the following discussion and analysis to help you better understand our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, and results of operations for the three month period ended March 31, 2019, compared to the same period of the prior year. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the Management's Discussion and Analysis section for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2018.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains historical information, as well as forward-looking statements that involve known and unknown risks and relate to future events, our future financial performance, or our expected future operations and actions. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terms such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "future," "intend," "could," "hope," "predict," "target," "potential," "continue" or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only our predictions based on current information and involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the reasons described in this report and our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

The cautionary statements referred to in this section also should be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on our behalf. We undertake no duty to update these forward-looking statements, even though our situation may change in the future. Furthermore, we cannot guarantee future results, events, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. We caution you not to put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.  You should read this report and the documents that we reference in this report and have filed as exhibits completely and with the understanding that our actual future results may be materially different from what we currently expect.  We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Overview

Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC is a South Dakota limited liability company that owns and manages its wholly-owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol, LLC. Dakota Ethanol, LLC owns and operates an ethanol plant located near Wentworth, South Dakota that has a nameplate production capacity of 40 million gallons of ethanol per year. Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC is referred to in this report as "LACP," the "company," "we," or "us." Dakota Ethanol, LLC is referred to in this report as "Dakota Ethanol" "we" "us" or the "ethanol plant."

Our revenue is derived from the sale and distribution of our ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil.  The ethanol plant currently operates in excess of its nameplate capacity, producing approximately 50 million gallons of ethanol per year.  Corn is supplied to us primarily from our members who are local agricultural producers and from purchases of corn on the open market. We have engaged Renewable Products Marketing Group, Inc. ("RPMG, Inc.") to market all of the ethanol and corn oil that we produce at the ethanol plant. Further, RPMG, Inc. markets all of the distillers grains that we produce that we do not market internally to local customers.

On November 30, 2017, Dakota Ethanol entered into a design-build agreement with Nelson Engineering Co. for the design and construction of a plant expansion to increase the plant's production capacity to approximately 90 million gallons of ethanol per year. The cost of the expansion is expected to be approximately $36 million. The expansion is expected to be complete during the second quarter of 2019.

In recent years, the ethanol industry in the United States has increased exports of ethanol and distillers grains. In January 2017, the Chinese issued final tariffs on U.S. distillers grains. The Chinese distillers grains anti-dumping tariffs range from 42.2% to 53.7% and the anti-subsidy tariffs range from 11.2% to 12%. In addition, the Chinese government increased its ethanol import tariff from 5% to 30% as of January 1, 2017 and increased the tariff again in April 2018 from 30% to 45%. In 2019, the ethanol import tariff was increased to approximately 65%. These tariffs have had a negative impact on market ethanol and distillers grains prices in the United States. Also, the European Union has imposed a tariff on imported ethanol. The anti-dumping tariff was scheduled to expire in 2018 which could have resulted in additional exports to the European Union during the 2018 fiscal year, however, the European Commission initiated an expiry review of the anti-dumping tariffs in February of 2018 which resulted in an extension of the 9.5% import tariff on U.S. ethanol. Further, on August 23, 2017, Brazil imposed a twenty percent import tariff on ethanol imported from the United States. These tariffs negatively impact demand for U.S. ethanol.

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Results of Operations

Comparison of the Fiscal Quarters Ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentage of revenues, cost of revenues, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our consolidated statements of income for the fiscal quarters ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	2019			2018
Income Statement Data	Amount		%	Amount		%
Revenues	$	21,613,298	100.0	$	19,804,272	100.0
Cost of Revenues	19,163,036		88.7	17,192,151		86.8
Gross Profit	2,450,262		11.3	2,612,121		13.2
Operating Expense	1,009,327		4.7	983,243		5.0
Income from Operations	1,440,935		6.7	1,628,878		8.2
Other Income (Expense)	349,269		1.6	247,819		1.3
Net Income	$	1,790,204	8.3	$	1,876,697	9.5

Revenues

Revenue from ethanol sales increased by approximately 5% during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018. Revenue from distillers grains sales increased by approximately 21% during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018. Revenue from corn oil sales increased by approximately 42% during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018.

Ethanol

Our ethanol revenue was approximately $784,000 greater during our first quarter of 2019 compared to our first quarter of 2018, an increase of approximately 5%. This increase in ethanol revenue was due to an increase in the amount of ethanol we sold partially offset by a lower average price we received for the ethanol we sold during our first quarter of 2019 compared to our first quarter of 2018. We sold approximately 10% more gallons of ethanol during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, an increase of approximately 1,162,000 gallons, due primarily to increased production during the 2019 period. Management anticipates increased ethanol production and sales during the remainder of our 2019 fiscal year.

The average price we received for our ethanol was lower on a per gallon basis during our first quarter of 2019 compared to our first quarter of 2018, with a decrease of approximately 4%. Management attributes this decrease in ethanol prices with increased market ethanol supplies which were not met by corresponding increases in demand during our first quarter of 2019. The ethanol industry experienced demand destruction domestically as a result of certain small refinery exemptions the EPA allowed during 2018 and 2019. These exemptions reduced the amount of ethanol that was required to be blended during these years under the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) which resulted in significantly less ethanol demand. The existence of these exemptions came to light during 2018.

Distillers Grains

Our total distillers grains revenue was approximately 21% greater during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, due to increased market distillers grains prices due to increased export and domestic demand along with increased distillers grains sales. We sold approximately 5% more total tons of distillers grains during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due to increased production at the plant.

The average price we received for our dried distillers grains was approximately 13% greater during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, an increase of approximately $17 per ton. Management attributes the increase in dried distillers grains prices during the first quarter of 2019 with a stronger distillers grain market due to increased demand along with increased exports. The average price we received for our modified/wet distillers grains, on a dry-equivalent basis, was

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approximately 16% greater for our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, an increase of approximately $19 per ton. Management attributes this increase in modified/wet distillers grains prices with a stronger market due to increased local demand along with increased exports. Management anticipates that distillers grains prices will remain stable for the near future, especially due to the strong demand for corn which has been influenced by increased export activity. Management anticipates increased distillers grains production and sales during the remainder of our 2019 fiscal year.

Corn Oil

Our total pounds of corn oil sold increased by approximately 29% during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, an increase of approximately 727,000 pounds, primarily due to increased production and increased corn oil extraction run time. Management anticipates increased corn oil production for the remainder of our 2019 fiscal year.

The average price per pound we received for our corn oil was approximately 10% greater for our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018. The increase in price is related to increased crude oil prices. Corn oil is frequently used as a raw material in biodiesel production. Management expects corn oil prices to decrease for the rest of our 2019 fiscal year due to uncertainty in the biodiesel industry which is a significant source of corn oil demand.

Cost of Revenues

The primary raw materials we use to produce ethanol and distillers grains are corn and natural gas.

Corn

Our cost of revenues relating to corn was approximately 17% greater for our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due to increased corn bushels used along with higher market corn costs per bushel during the 2019 period.

We consumed approximately 9% more bushels of corn during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due to increased production at the ethanol plant. Management anticipates that our corn consumption will increase during our 2019 fiscal year as we anticipate increased ethanol production.

Our average cost per bushel of corn increased by approximately 8% for our first quarter of 2019 compared to our first quarter of 2018. Management attributes the increased corn cost per bushel to unfavorable weather conditions during the first quarter of 2019, including very cold weather with a significant amount of snow which required us to pay more to purchase corn. Management anticipates that corn prices may be slightly increased during our 2019 fiscal year due to later planting and concerns regarding weather affecting the 2019 corn harvest.

Natural Gas

Our cost of revenues related to natural gas increased by approximately $6,000, an increase of approximately 1%, for our first quarter of 2019 compared to our first quarter of 2018. This increase was primarily due to slightly higher natural gas costs per MMBtu partially offset by decreased natural gas consumption during our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018.

Our average cost per MMBtu of natural gas during our first quarter of 2019 was higher by less than 1% compared to our first quarter of 2018, due to relatively stable natural gas supplies and demand.

The volume of natural gas we consumed was comparable during our first quarter of 2019 and the same period of 2018 due primarily to increased production at the ethanol plant, which was offset by increased operating efficiency. Management anticipates increased natural gas consumption during the remaining quarters of our 2019 fiscal year.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses were greater for our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due primarily to increased wages and benefit costs due primarily to our plant expansion.

Other Income and Expense

Our interest and other income was greater for our first quarter of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018 due to increased earnings from our investments which are companies involved in the ethanol industry. We had no interest expense during

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our first quarter of 2019 since we are capitalizing interest related to our expansion project and our investment in Ring-neck Energy and Feeds until they are complete.

Changes in Financial Condition for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2019

Current Assets

Our cash on hand at March 31, 2019 was greater compared to December 31, 2018 due to timing of the quarter end and funds we borrowed on our credit facilities. We had more accounts receivable at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 due to the timing of our quarter end and the payments related to the shipments of our products. The value of our inventory was lower at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 due to decreased corn and finished goods inventory.

Property and Equipment

The value of our property and equipment was higher at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 as a result of capital expenditures for the plant expansion during our 2019 fiscal year.

Other Assets

The value of our investments was greater at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 due to fewer cash distributions in excess of earnings from our investments.

Current Liabilities

We had more outstanding checks in excess of bank balances at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018. We use our revolving loan to pay any checks which are presented for payment which exceed the cash we have available in our accounts. Our accounts payable was lower at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 because of deferred corn payments we made during the first quarter of our 2019 fiscal year. We had a smaller liability associated with our unrealized losses on our derivative financial instruments at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 due to changes in the corn market which impacts those derivative instrument positions.

Long-Term Liabilities

Our long-term liabilities were greater at March 31, 2019 compared to December 31, 2018 due to borrowing related to our plant expansion project.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our main sources of liquidity are cash from our continuing operations, distributions we receive from our investments and amounts we have available to draw on our revolving credit facilities. Management does not anticipate that we will need to raise additional debt or equity financing in the next twelve months and management believes that our current sources of liquidity will be sufficient to continue our operations during that time period. We anticipate that any capital expenditures we undertake related to our expansion project will be paid out of cash from operations and existing loans, and will not require any additional debt or equity financing.

Currently, we have two revolving loans which allow us to borrow funds for working capital. These loans are described in greater detail below in the section entitled "Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Indebtedness." As of March 31, 2019, we had $24,100,000 outstanding and $22,551,000 available to be drawn on our revolving loans, after taking into account the borrowing base calculation. Management anticipates that this is sufficient to maintain our liquidity and continue our operations.

The following table shows cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019			2018
Net cash (used in) operating activities	$	(2,580,470	)	$	(1,585,909	)
Net cash (used in) investing activities	(4,802,012		)	(3,071,172		)
Net cash provided by financing activities	7,920,236			219,392

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Cash Flow From Operations. Our operating activities provided less cash during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, due primarily to reduced net income during the 2019 period along with an increase in accounts receivable which reduced cash.

Cash Flow From Investing Activities. Our investing activities used more cash during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, due to our plant expansion project.

Cash Flow From Financing Activities. Our financing activities provided more cash during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, due primarily to increased cash we received from our debt instruments to fund our plant expansion project.

Indebtedness

We entered into a comprehensive credit facility with Farm Credit Services of America, PCA and Farm Credit Services of America, FLCA (collectively "FCSA"). We have a $10 million revolving operating line of credit (the "Operating Line") and a $40 million reducing revolving loan (the "Reducing Revolving Loan"). All of our assets, including the ethanol plant and equipment, its accounts receivable and inventory, serve as collateral for our loans with FCSA.

On August 1, 2017, we executed an amendment to our credit agreement to create a new $8 million term loan which we used to finance a portion of our investment in Ring-neck Energy & Feed, LLC.

On February 6, 2018, we executed an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the "Amended and Restated Credit Agreement") with FCSA. Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, we increased our total credit availability to $40 million to support our expansion project. Further, the maturity date of this increased credit availability under our Amended and Restated Credit Agreement was extended to January 1, 2026. Until February 1, 2023, interest will accrue pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement on our increased credit availability at the one month London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus 3.25% per year. We agreed to pay a fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the increased credit availability.  

Operating Line

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount up to $10,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, whichever is less. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 300 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.50% at March 31, 2019. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $6,651,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

Reducing Revolving Loan

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a reducing revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount up to $40,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing availability under the credit agreement. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $1,750,000 semi-annually starting on January 1, 2020 until the maximum balance reaches $26,000,000 on July 1, 2023. The note matures on January 1, 2026. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $24,100,000 outstanding and $15,900,000 available to be drawn on the note.

2017 Term Loan

On August 1, 2017, Dakota Ethanol executed a term note with FCSA in the amount of $8 million. Dakota Ethanol agreed to make monthly interest payments starting September 1, 2017 and annual principal payments of $1,000,000 starting on August 1, 2018. The notes matures on August 1, 2025. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $7,000,000 outstanding on the note.

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Covenants

Our credit facilities with FCSA are subject to various loan covenants. If we fail to comply with these loan covenants, FCSA can declare us to be in default of our loans. The material loan covenants applicable to our credit facilities are our working capital covenant, local net worth covenant and our debt service coverage ratio. We are required to maintain working capital (current assets minus current liabilities plus availability on our revolving loan) of at least $13.5 million. We are required to maintain local net worth (total assets minus total liabilities minus the value of certain investments) of at least $28 million. We are required to maintain a debt service coverage ratio of at least 1.25:1.00.

As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all of our loan covenants. Management's current financial projections indicate that we will be in compliance with our financial covenants for the next 12 months and we expect to remain in compliance thereafter. Management does not believe that it is reasonably likely that we will fall out of compliance with our material loan covenants in the next 12 months. If we fail to comply with the terms of our credit agreements with FCSA, and FCSA refuses to waive the non-compliance, FCSA may require us to immediately repay all amounts outstanding on our loans.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing our consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Of the significant accounting policies described in the notes to our consolidated financial statements, we believe that the following are the most critical:

Derivative Instruments

We enter into short-term forward grain, option and futures contracts as a means of securing corn for the ethanol plant and managing exposure to changes in commodity prices. We enter into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for sales of ethanol to manage exposure to changes in commodity prices. All of our derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as nor accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, we use futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce our risk and we are exposed to risk of loss in the market value of inventories. To reduce that risk, we generally take positions using cash and futures contracts and options.

Unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts for corn purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and derivative contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements. The fair values of derivative contracts are presented on the accompanying balance sheets as derivative financial instruments.

Goodwill

Annually, as well as when an event triggering impairment may have occurred, the Company performs an impairment test on goodwill. The Company performs a quantitative analysis that tests for impairment. The second step, if necessary, measures the impairment. The Company performs the annual analysis on December 31 of each fiscal year.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue at a point in time when performance obligations are satisfied. Revenue from the production of ethanol and related products is recorded when control transfers to customers. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point, based on written contract terms between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Collectability of revenue is reasonably assured based on historical evidence of collectability between Dakota Ethanol and its customers. Interest income is recognized as earned.

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Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with commodity prices and interest rates as discussed below.  We have no exposure to foreign currency risk as all of our business is conducted in U.S. Dollars. We use derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk. We use cash, futures and option contracts to hedge changes to the commodity prices of corn and natural gas. We do not enter into these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor do we designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates. Exposure to interest rate risk results primarily from holding loans which bear variable interest rates. As of March 31, 2019, we had $31,100,000 outstanding on our variable interest rate loans with interest accruing at a rate of 5.75%. Our variable interest rates are calculated by adding a set basis to LIBOR. If we were to experience a 10% increase in LIBOR, the annual effect such change would have on our income statement, based on the amount we had outstanding on our variable interest rate loans as of March 31, 2019, would be approximately $78,000.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices.  Exposure to commodity price risk results from our dependence on corn and natural gas in the ethanol production process.  We seek to minimize the risks from fluctuations in the prices of corn and natural gas through the use of hedging instruments.  In practice, as markets move, we actively manage our risk and adjust hedging strategies as appropriate.  Although we believe our hedge positions accomplish an economic hedge against our future purchases, they are not designated as such for hedge accounting purposes, which would match the gain or loss on our hedge positions to the specific commodity purchase being hedged.  We are marking to market our hedge positions, which means as the current market price of our hedge positions changes, the gains and losses are immediately recognized in our cost of revenues.

The immediate recognition of hedging gains and losses can cause net income to be volatile from quarter to quarter due to the timing of the change in value of the derivative instruments relative to the cost and use of the commodity being hedged.  We recorded a combined decrease to our cost of revenues of approximately $42,000 related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended March 31, 2019. We recorded a combined increase to our cost of revenues of approximately $66,000 related to derivative instruments for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. There are several variables that could affect the extent to which our derivative instruments are impacted by price fluctuations in the cost of corn or natural gas.  However, it is likely that commodity cash prices will have the greatest impact on the derivatives instruments with delivery dates nearest the current cash price.

As of March 31, 2019, we were committed to purchasing approximately 1.8 million bushels of corn with an average price of $3.46 per bushel. These corn purchases represent approximately 10% of our project plant corn usage for the next 12 months.

As of March 31, 2019, we were committed to purchasing approximately 451,000 MMBtus of natural gas with an average price of $2.49 per MMBtu. Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered. The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchases represent approximately 39% of the projected annual plant requirements.

As of March 31, 2019, we were committed to selling approximately 20,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $128 per ton. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 14% of the projected annual plant production.

As of March 31, 2019, we were committed to selling approximately 2.3 million pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.25 per pound.  The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 20% of the projected annual plant production.

We do not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2019.

24

A sensitivity analysis has been prepared to estimate our exposure to corn, natural gas and ethanol price risk. Market risk related to these factors is estimated as the potential change in income resulting from a hypothetical 10% adverse change in the average cost of our corn and natural gas prices and average ethanol price as of March 31, 2019, net of the forward and future contracts used to hedge our market risk for corn and natural gas usage requirements. The volumes are based on our expected use and sale of these commodities for a one year period from March 31, 2019. The results of this analysis, which may differ from actual results, are as follows:

	Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts)	Unit of Measure	Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price		Approximate Adverse Change to Income
Ethanol	52,500,000	Gallons	10	%	$	6,615,000
Corn	15,024,261	Bushels	10	%	$	4,912,933
Natural Gas	729,960	MMBTU	10	%	$	286,874

For comparison purposes, our sensitivity analysis for our quarter ended March 31, 2018 is set forth below.

	Estimated Volume Requirements for the next 12 months (net of forward and futures contracts)	Unit of Measure	Hypothetical Adverse Change in Price		Approximate Adverse Change to Income
Ethanol	52,500,000	Gallons	10	%	$	6,667,500
Corn	14,449,798	Bushels	10	%	$	4,898,482
Natural Gas	1,181,250	MMBTU	10	%	$	287,044

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the principal executive officer), Scott Mundt, along with our Chief Financial Officer (the principal financial officer), Rob Buchholtz, have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2019. Based on this review and evaluation, these officers believe that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information related to us is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the forms and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

For the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.    OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, Dakota Ethanol or Lake Area Corn Processors may be named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including, worker's compensation claims, tort claims, or contractual disputes. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings, directly or indirectly, and we are not aware of any claims pending or threatened against us or any of the managers that could result in the commencement of material legal proceedings.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There has not been any material change to the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018.

25

ITEM 2.    UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3.    DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

None.

ITEM 4.     MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

ITEM 5.     OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM 6.     EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
31.1	Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
31.2	Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
32.1	Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
32.2	Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
101	The following financial information from Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2019 formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income for the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, and (iv) the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.**

* Filed herewith.

** Furnished herewith.

26

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

		LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS, LLC
Date:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Scott Mundt
		Scott Mundt
		President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Robbi Buchholtz
		Robbi Buchholtz
		Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

27

EX-31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Scott Mundt, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Scott Mundt
		Scott Mundt, Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Robbi Buchholtz, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Robbi Buchholtz
		Robbi Buchholtz, Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC (the “Company”) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Scott Mundt, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Scott Mundt
		Scott Mundt,
		Chief Executive Officer

EX-32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC (the “Company”) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2019, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Robbi Buchholtz, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Dated:	May 15, 2019	/s/ Robbi Buchholtz
		Robbi Buchholtz,
		Chief Financial Officer

XML

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	May 15, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	LAKE AREA CORN PROCESSORS LLC
Entity Central Index Key	0001156174
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		29,620,000

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,235,691	$ 1,697,937
Accounts receivable	4,028,605	1,202,196
Other receivables	0	26,857
Inventory	6,566,629	7,561,501
Derivative financial instruments	721,277	554,005
Prepaid expenses	240,647	265,793
Total current assets	13,792,849	11,308,289
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Land	874,473	874,473
Land improvements	8,558,720	8,558,720
Buildings	9,001,546	9,001,546
Equipment	61,839,725	61,839,725
Construction in progress	30,933,329	26,203,702
Gross Property and Equipment	111,207,793	106,478,166
Less accumulated depreciation	(43,588,116)	(42,729,898)
Net property and equipment	67,619,677	63,748,268
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill	10,395,766	10,395,766
Investments	17,523,398	17,300,470
Other	109,281	113,279
Total other assets	28,028,445	27,809,515
TOTAL ASSETS	109,440,971	102,866,072
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	3,667,451	2,247,215
Accounts payable	3,869,158	6,849,896
Accrued liabilities	728,308	765,994
Derivative financial instruments	254,337	368,475
Current maturities of notes payable	1,000,000	1,000,000
Other	4,000	4,000
Total current liabilities	9,523,254	11,235,580
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Notes payable	30,086,389	23,585,368
Other	4,000	8,000
Total long-term liabilities	30,090,389	23,593,368
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)
MEMBERS' EQUITY (29,620,000 units issued and outstanding)	69,827,328	68,037,124
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY	$ 109,440,971	$ 102,866,072

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - shares	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Members' equity outstanding	29,620,000	29,620,000
Members' equity issued	29,620,000	29,620,000

XML

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Income Statement [Abstract]
REVENUES	$ 21,613,298	$ 19,804,272
COSTS OF REVENUES	19,163,036	17,192,151
GROSS PROFIT	2,450,262	2,612,121
OPERATING EXPENSES	1,009,327	983,243
INCOME (LOSS) FROM OPERATIONS	1,440,935	1,628,878
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)
Interest and other income	135,408	38,355
Equity in net income (loss) of investments	213,861	209,464
Total other income (expense)	349,269	247,819
NET INCOME (LOSS)	$ 1,790,204	$ 1,876,697
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER UNIT (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.06	$ 0.06
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF UNITS OUTSTANDING FOR THE CALCULATION OF BASIC & DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) PER UNIT (units)	29,620,000	29,620,000
DISTRIBUTIONS DECLARED PER UNIT (in dollars per unit)	$ 0.00	$ 0.10

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income	$ 1,790,204	$ 1,876,697
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	863,237	718,182
Distributions in excess of earnings from investments	(122,547)	890,536
(Increase) decrease in
Accounts receivable	(2,799,553)	1,313,647
Inventory	994,873	(1,821,820)
Prepaid expenses	25,146	(16,107)
Derivative financial instruments	(281,410)	(430,687)
Accounts payable	(3,008,734)	(3,945,111)
Accrued and other liabilities	(41,686)	(171,246)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES	(2,580,470)	(1,585,909)
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchase of property and equipment	(4,701,630)	(3,071,172)
Purchase of investments	(100,382)	0
NET CASH (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES	(4,802,012)	(3,071,172)
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Increase (decrease) in outstanding checks in excess of bank balance	1,420,236	272,779
Notes Payable Issued	12,500,000	3,000,000
Principal payments on notes payable	(6,000,000)	0
Financing costs paid	0	91,387
Distributions paid to members	0	(2,962,000)
NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES	7,920,236	219,392
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	537,754	(4,437,689)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD	2,235,691	665,270
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD	1,697,937	5,102,959
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Cash paid during the period for interest, net of capitalized interest of $358,769 and $52,704 in 2018 and 2017, respectively.	0	0
Capital expenditures in accounts payable	$ 1,188,830	$ 924,931

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Interest Paid, Capitalized, Investing Activities	$ 307,885	$ 98,131

XML

Statements of Changes in Members' Equity Statement	USD ($)
Balance at the beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 68,282,537
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	1,876,697
Member distributions	(2,962,000)
Balance at the end of period at Mar. 31, 2018	67,197,234
Balance at the beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2018	68,037,124
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net Income	1,790,204
Balance at the end of period at Mar. 31, 2019	$ 69,827,328

XML

Nature of Operations

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Nature of Operations [Abstract]

Nature of Operations

NATURE OF OPERATIONS

Principal Business Activity

Lake Area Corn Processors, LLC and subsidiary (the "Company") is a South Dakota limited liability company.

The Company owns and manages Dakota Ethanol, LLC ("Dakota Ethanol"), a 40 million-gallon (annual nameplate capacity) ethanol plant, located near Wentworth, South Dakota. Dakota Ethanol sells ethanol and related products to customers located in North America.

In addition, the Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. See note 4 for further details.

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The unaudited financial statements contained herein have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading.

In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the accompanying financial statements. All adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018, contained in the annual report on Form 10-K for 2018.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company has adopted the guidance of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Topic 606 requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company generally recognizes revenue at a point in time. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers have one performance obligation and a contract duration of one year or less.

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point and the control of the goods transfers to customers when the goods are loaded into rail cars or trucks. Consideration is based on predetermined contractual prices or on current market prices.

• sales of ethanol

• sales of distillers grains

• sales of distillers corn oil

Disaggregation of revenue:

All revenue recognized in the income statement is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,335,825	$	15,551,565
Revenues distillers grains	4,484,350		3,694,336
Revenues distillers corn oil	793,123		558,371
	$	21,613,298	$	19,804,272

Contract assets and contract liabilities:

The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities from contracts with customers.

The Company receives payments from customers based upon contractual billing schedules; accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract.

Shipping costs

Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

When the Company performs shipping and handling activities after the transfer of control to the customers (e.g., when control transfers prior to delivery), they are considered as fulfillment activities, and accordingly, the costs are accrued for when the related revenue is recognized.

Operating Segment

The Company uses the "management approach" for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the "management approach" model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of a single operating segment.

Cost of Revenues

The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.

Shipping costs on modified and wet distillers grains are included in cost of revenues.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

Receivables and Credit Policies

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The valuation allowance was $2,131 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 respectively.

Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that the Company manages by using forward or derivative instruments are price risks on anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil.

The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow us to pass along increased corn costs to our customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.

Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting as normal purchases or normal sales.  Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.

The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1.8 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.46 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 10% of the annual projected plant corn usage.

The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 451,000 MMBtu’s of natural gas with an average price of $2.49 per MMBtu.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchase contracts represent 39% of the annual plant requirements.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 20,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $128 per ton.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 14% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 2.3 million pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.25 per pound.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 20% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2019.

The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for ethanol, corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments. To reduce that risk, the Company generally takes positions using forward and futures contracts and options.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Forward contracts in gain position		$	7,153		$	676
Futures contracts in gain position		69,475			175,038
Futures contracts in loss position		(10,163		)	—
Total forward and futures contracts		66,465			175,714
Cash held by broker		654,812			378,291
	Current Assets	$	721,277		$	554,005
Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(254,337	)	$	(368,475	)

*Derived from audited financial statements

Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.

Forward contracts are with multiple parties and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and futures and options contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.

	Statement of Income	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2019			2018
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	160,886		$	(783,845	)
Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(119,374		)	717,971

Investments

The Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are all flow-through entities. Per ASC 323-30-S99-1, they are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account.  Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or net realizable value accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The standard has not had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)" (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2107-04 simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. It eliminates the two-step process of assessing goodwill impairment and replaces it with one step which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" (ASU 2018-13). ASU 2108-13 improves the effectiveness of the fair value disclosures in the financial statements. It adds, removes and modifies various disclosure requirements relating to the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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Inventory

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Inventory [Abstract]

Inventory

INVENTORY

Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Raw materials	$	2,958,031	$	3,396,707
Finished goods	1,963,909		2,589,255
Work in process	528,737		514,881
Parts inventory	1,115,952		1,060,658
	$	6,566,629	$	7,561,501

*Derived from audited financial statements.

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Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Investments [Abstract]

Investments

INVESTMENTS

Dakota Ethanol has a 6% investment interest in the Company’s ethanol marketer, Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG).  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for RPMG is based on RPMG’s December 31, 2018 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $1,237,000 and $1,312,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Dakota Ethanol has a 10% investment interest in Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC (LT), a partnership to operate an ethanol storage terminal in Georgia.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for LT is based on LT’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $270,000 and $266,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 10% investment interest in Guardian Hankinson, LLC (GH), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in North Dakota.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GH is based on GH’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $5,551,000 and $5,274,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively.

Lake Area Corn Processors has a 17% investment interest in Guardian Energy Management, LLC (GEM), a partnership to provide management services to ethanol plants.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for GEM is based on GEM’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $53,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Lake Area Corn Processors has an 11% investment interest in Ring-neck Energy and Feeds, LLC (REF), a partnership to operate an ethanol plant in South Dakota.  The net income which is reported in the Company’s income statement for REF is based on REF’s March 31, 2019 unaudited interim results. The carrying amount of the Company’s investment was approximately $10,412,000 and $10,396,000 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. 2017 was the initial year for the investment in REF and the ethanol plant is currently under construction. The carrying amount of the investment exceeds the underlying equity in net assets by approximately $1,120,000. The excess is comprised of a basis adjustment of approximately $474,000 and capitalized interest of $646,000. The excess will be amortized over 20 years when the plant becomes operational. The amortization will be recorded in equity in net income of investments.

Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company’s investments in RPMG, LT, GH, GEM and REF is as follows:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	211,120,170	$	189,839,430
Other Assets	234,393,571		234,748,455
Current Liabilities	166,492,477		175,836,322
Long-term Liabilities	105,888,646		78,589,892
Members' Equity	173,132,618		170,161,671
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019		March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	60,642,960	$	65,898,841
Gross Profit	6,057,980		6,328,577
Net Income	3,010,741		2,733,408

The following table shows the condensed financial information of Ring-neck Energy & Feed:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	794,325		$	1,018,076
Other Assets	133,030,036			128,668,387
Current Liabilities	5,791,167			5,724,979
Long-term Liabilities	45,197,190			40,414,089
Members' Equity	82,836,004			83,547,395
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	—		$	—
Gross Profit	—			—
Net Income (Loss)	(704,938		)	(744,021		)

The Company recorded equity in net (loss) of approximately ($79,000) and ($85,000) from REF for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recorded equity in net income of approximately $299,000 and $293,000 from its other investments for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

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Revolving Operating Note

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Short Term Note Payable [Abstract]

Revolving Operating Note

REVOLVING OPERATING NOTE

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a revolving promissory note from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSA) in the amount up to $10,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing base calculation, whichever is less. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 300 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.50% at March 31, 2019. There is a non-use fee of 0.25% on the unused portion of the $10,000,000 availability. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company. The note expires on November 1, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $0 outstanding and $6,651,000 available to be drawn on the revolving promissory note under the borrowing base.

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Long Term Notes Payable

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]

Long Term Notes Payable

LONG-TERM NOTES PAYABLE

On August 1, 2017, Dakota Ethanol executed a term note from FCSA in the amount of $8,000,000. Dakota Ethanol agreed to make monthly interest payments starting September 1, 2017 and annual principal payments of $1,000,000 starting on August 1, 2018. The notes matures on August 1, 2025. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $7,000,000 outstanding on the note.

On February 6, 2018, Dakota Ethanol executed a reducing revolving promissory note from FCSA in the amount up to $40,000,000 or the amount available in accordance with the borrowing availability under the credit agreement. The amount Dakota Ethanol can borrow on the note decreases by $1,750,000 semi-annually starting on January 1, 2020 until the maximum balance reaches $26,000,000 on July 1, 2023. The note matures on January 1, 2026. Interest on the outstanding principal balance will accrue at 325 basis points above the 1 month LIBOR rate and is not subject to a floor. The rate was 5.75% at March 31, 2019. The note contains a non-use fee of 0.50% on the unused portion of the note. On March 31, 2019, Dakota Ethanol had $24,100,000 outstanding and $15,900,000 available to be drawn on the note.

As part of the note payable agreement, Dakota Ethanol is subject to certain restrictive covenants establishing financial reporting requirements, distribution and capital expenditure limits, minimum debt service coverage ratios, net worth and working capital requirements. The note is collateralized by substantially all assets of the Company.

The balances of the notes payable are as follows:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Notes Payable - FCSA	$	31,100,000		$	24,600,000
Less unamortized debt issuance costs	(13,611		)	(14,632		)
	31,086,389			24,585,368
Less current portion	(1,000,000		)	(1,000,000		)
	$	30,086,389		$	23,585,368
*Derived from audited financial statements

Principal maturities for the next five years are estimated as follows:

Years Ending March 31,	Principal
2020	$	1,000,000
2021	1,000,000
2022	1,000,000
2023	1,000,000
2024	1,000,000
thereafter	26,100,000

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company complies with the fair value measurements and disclosures standard which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure for those assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet on a fair value basis.

The Company’s balance sheet contains derivative financial instruments that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value measurements and disclosures require that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed according to the process for determining fair value. There are three levels of determining fair value.

Level 1 uses quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 uses observable market based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3 uses unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data.

A description of the valuation methodologies used for instruments measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy, is set forth below.

Derivative financial instruments. Commodity futures and options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 1 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the CBOT and NYMEX markets. Over-the-counter commodity options contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from an independent pricing service. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include dealer quotes and live trading levels from the over-the-counter markets. Forward purchase contracts are reported at fair value utilizing Level 2 inputs. For these contracts, the Company obtains fair value measurements from local grain terminal bid values. The fair value measurements consider observable data that may include live trading bids from local elevators and processing plants which are based off the CBOT markets.

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
March 31, 2019
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	69,475		$	69,475		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	7,153		$	—		$	7,153		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	(10,163	)	$	(10,163	)	$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	(254,337	)	$	—		$	(254,337	)	$	—
December 31, 2018*
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	175,038		$	175,038		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	676		$	—		$	676		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	368,475		$	—		$	368,475		$	—

*Derived from audited financial statements.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company did not make any changes between Level 1 and Level 2 assets and liabilities. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any Level 3 assets or liabilities.

Certain financial assets and financial liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis; that is, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). Financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis were not significant at March 31, 2019.

Disclosure requirements for fair value of financial instruments require disclosure of the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities, including those financial assets and financial liabilities that are not measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis or nonrecurring basis. The methodologies for estimating the fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis are discussed above.

The Company believes the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents (level 1), accounts receivable (level 2), other receivables (level 2), accounts payable and accruals (level 2) and short-term debt (level 3) approximates fair value.

The carrying amount of long-term obligations (level 3) at March 31, 2019 of $31,100,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $31,100,000 based on estimated interest rates for comparable debt. The carrying amount of long-term obligations at December 31, 2018 of $24,600,000 had an estimated fair value of approximately $24,600,000.

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Related Party Transactions

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Dakota Ethanol has a 6% interest in RPMG, and Dakota Ethanol has entered into marketing agreements for the exclusive rights to market, sell and distribute the entire ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil inventories produced by Dakota Ethanol.  The marketing fees are included in net revenues.

Revenues and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,396,785	$	15,617,431
Revenues distillers dried grains	325,582		239,211
Revenues corn oil	799,556		563,350
Marketing fees ethanol	60,960		65,865
Marketing fees distillers dried grains	2,177		574
Marketing fees corn oil	6,433		4,980
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$	3,701,774	$	836,798

*Derived from audited financial statements.

The Company purchased corn and services from members of its Board of Managers that farm and operate local businesses. The Company also purchased ingredients from RPMG. Purchases during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 totaled approximately $241,000 and $423,000, respectively. As of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the amount we owed to related parties was approximately $22,000 and $37,000, respectively.

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Commitments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Commitments [Abstract]

Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]

    COMMITMENTS

Dakota Ethanol entered into a design-build agreement with Nelson Engineering Co. for the design and construction of the plant expansion to increase its production capacity to approximately 90 million gallons of ethanol per year. The cost of the expansion is expected to be approximately $35.9 million. There is approximately $3.1 million remaining as of March 31, 2019. The expansion is currently under construction. The Company anticipates that the expansion will be complete during the Company's second quarter of 2019. The Company will pay for the project with cash flows from operations and the long-term revolving debt as amended on February 6, 2018.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of its wholly owned subsidiary, Dakota Ethanol. All significant inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

The Company has adopted the guidance of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). Topic 606 requires the Company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance requires the Company to apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognize revenue when, or as, the Company satisfies a performance obligation. The Company generally recognizes revenue at a point in time. The majority of the Company’s contracts with customers have one performance obligation and a contract duration of one year or less.

The following is a description of principal activities from which we generate revenue. Revenues from contracts with customers are recognized when control of the promised goods or services are transferred to our customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Generally, ethanol and related products are shipped FOB shipping point and the control of the goods transfers to customers when the goods are loaded into rail cars or trucks. Consideration is based on predetermined contractual prices or on current market prices.

• sales of ethanol

• sales of distillers grains

• sales of distillers corn oil

Disaggregation of revenue:

All revenue recognized in the income statement is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers. The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,335,825	$	15,551,565
Revenues distillers grains	4,484,350		3,694,336
Revenues distillers corn oil	793,123		558,371
	$	21,613,298	$	19,804,272

Contract assets and contract liabilities:

The Company has no significant contract assets or contract liabilities from contracts with customers.

The Company receives payments from customers based upon contractual billing schedules; accounts receivable are recorded when the right to consideration becomes unconditional. Contract liabilities include payments received in advance of performance under the contract, and are realized with the associated revenue recognized under the contract.

Shipping Costs

Shipping costs

Shipping costs incurred by the Company in the sale of ethanol, dried distillers grains and corn oil are not specifically identifiable and as a result, revenue from the sale of those products is recorded based on the net selling price reported to the Company from the marketer.

When the Company performs shipping and handling activities after the transfer of control to the customers (e.g., when control transfers prior to delivery), they are considered as fulfillment activities, and accordingly, the costs are accrued for when the related revenue is recognized.

Operating Segment

Operating Segment

The Company uses the "management approach" for reporting information about segments in annual and interim financial statements. The management approach is based on the way the chief operating decision-maker organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Reportable segments are based on products and services, geography, legal structure, management structure and any other manner in which management disaggregates a company. Based on the "management approach" model, the Company has determined that its business is comprised of a single operating segment.

Cost of Revenues

Cost of Revenues

The primary components of cost of revenues from the production of ethanol and related co-product are corn expense, energy expense (natural gas and electricity), raw materials expense (chemicals and denaturant), and direct labor costs.

Shipping costs on modified and wet distillers grains are included in cost of revenues.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are generally valued using methods which approximate the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. In the valuation of inventories and purchase commitments, net realizable value is based on estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.

Receivables and credit policies

Receivables and Credit Policies

Accounts receivable are uncollateralized customer obligations due under normal trade terms requiring payment within fifteen days from the invoice date. Unpaid accounts receivable with invoice dates over thirty days old bear interest at 1.5% per month. Accounts receivable are stated at the amount billed to the customer. Payments of accounts receivable are allocated to the specific invoices identified on the customer’s remittance advice or, if unspecified, are applied to the earliest unpaid invoices.

The carrying amount of trade receivables is reduced by a valuation allowance that reflects management’s best estimate of the amounts that will not be collected. Management regularly reviews trade receivable balances and based on an assessment of current creditworthiness, estimates the portion, if any, of the balance that will not be collected. The valuation allowance was $2,131 as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 respectively.

Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

Investment in commodities contracts, derivative instruments and hedging activities

The Company is exposed to certain risks related to our ongoing business operations.  The primary risks that the Company manages by using forward or derivative instruments are price risks on anticipated purchases of corn and natural gas and the sale of ethanol, distillers grains and distillers corn oil.

The Company is subject to market risk with respect to the price and availability of corn, the principal raw material the Company uses to produce ethanol and ethanol by-products.  In general, rising corn prices result in lower profit margins and, therefore, represent unfavorable market conditions.  This is especially true when market conditions do not allow us to pass along increased corn costs to our customers.  The availability and price of corn is subject to wide fluctuations due to unpredictable factors such as weather conditions, farmer planting decisions, governmental policies with respect to agriculture and international trade and global demand and supply.

Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted from derivative accounting as normal purchases or normal sales.  Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business.  Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from the accounting and reporting requirements of derivative accounting.

The Company does not apply the normal purchase and sales exemption for forward corn purchase contracts. As of March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 1.8 million bushels of corn on a forward contract basis with an average price of $3.46 per bushel. The total corn purchase contracts represent 10% of the annual projected plant corn usage.

The Company enters into firm-price purchase commitments with natural gas suppliers under which the Company agrees to buy natural gas at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price decrease in the market price of natural gas between the time the price is fixed and the time the natural gas is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to purchasing approximately 451,000 MMBtu’s of natural gas with an average price of $2.49 per MMBtu.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal purchases, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The natural gas purchase contracts represent 39% of the annual plant requirements.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers grains customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers grains at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers grain between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers grains are delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 20,000 dry equivalent tons of distillers grains with an average price of $128 per ton.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers grains sales represent approximately 14% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company enters into firm-price sales commitments with distillers corn oil customers under which the Company agrees to sell distillers corn oil at a price set in advance of the actual delivery.  Under these arrangements, the Company assumes the risk of a price increase in the market price of distillers corn oil between the time the price is fixed and the time the distillers corn oil is delivered.  At March 31, 2019, the Company is committed to selling approximately 2.3 million pounds of distillers corn oil with an average price of $0.25 per pound.  The Company accounts for these transactions as normal sales, and accordingly, does not mark these transactions to market. The distillers corn oil sales represent approximately 20% of the projected annual plant production.

The Company does not have any firm-priced sales commitments for ethanol as of March 31, 2019.

The Company enters into short-term forward, option and futures contracts for ethanol, corn and natural gas as a means of managing exposure to changes in commodity and energy prices. All of the Company's derivatives are designated as non-hedge derivatives, and accordingly are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. Although the contracts are considered economic hedges of specified risks, they are not designated as and accounted for as hedging instruments.

As part of our trading activity, the Company uses futures and option contracts offered through regulated commodity exchanges to reduce risk of loss in the market value of inventories and purchase commitments. To reduce that risk, the Company generally takes positions using forward and futures contracts and options.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Forward contracts in gain position		$	7,153		$	676
Futures contracts in gain position		69,475			175,038
Futures contracts in loss position		(10,163		)	—
Total forward and futures contracts		66,465			175,714
Cash held by broker		654,812			378,291
	Current Assets	$	721,277		$	554,005
Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(254,337	)	$	(368,475	)

*Derived from audited financial statements

Futures contracts and cash held by broker are all with one party and the right of offset exists. Therefore, on the balance sheet, these items are netted in one balance regardless of position.

Forward contracts are with multiple parties and the right of offset does not exist. Therefore, these contracts are reported at the gross amounts on the balance sheet.

Realized and unrealized gains and losses related to derivative contracts related to corn and natural gas purchases are included as a component of cost of revenues and futures and options contracts related to ethanol sales are included as a component of revenues in the accompanying financial statements.

	Statement of Income	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2019			2018
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	160,886		$	(783,845	)
Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(119,374		)	717,971

Investments

Investments

The Company has investment interests in five companies in related industries. All of these interests are at ownership shares less than 20%. These investments are all flow-through entities. Per ASC 323-30-S99-1, they are being accounted for by the equity method of accounting under which the Company’s share of net income is recognized as income in the Company’s statements of operations and added to the investment account.  Distributions or dividends received from the investments are treated as a reduction of the investment account. The Company consistently follows the practice of recognizing the net income based on the most recent reliable data.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates include the fair value of derivative financial instruments, lower of cost or net realizable value accounting for inventory and forward purchase contracts and goodwill impairment evaluation

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The standard has not had a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)" (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2107-04 simplifies the test for goodwill impairment. It eliminates the two-step process of assessing goodwill impairment and replaces it with one step which compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value up to the amount of the goodwill attributed to the reporting unit. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, "Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement" (ASU 2018-13). ASU 2108-13 improves the effectiveness of the fair value disclosures in the financial statements. It adds, removes and modifies various disclosure requirements relating to the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The Company does not expect this standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table depicts the disaggregation of revenue according to product line:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,335,825	$	15,551,565
Revenues distillers grains	4,484,350		3,694,336
Revenues distillers corn oil	793,123		558,371
	$	21,613,298	$	19,804,272

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows:

	Balance Sheet Classification	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Forward contracts in gain position		$	7,153		$	676
Futures contracts in gain position		69,475			175,038
Futures contracts in loss position		(10,163		)	—
Total forward and futures contracts		66,465			175,714
Cash held by broker		654,812			378,291
	Current Assets	$	721,277		$	554,005
Forward contracts in loss position	(Current Liabilities)	$	(254,337	)	$	(368,475	)

*Derived from audited financial statements

Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts

	Statement of Income	Three Months Ended March 31,
	Classification	2019			2018
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) related to purchase contracts:
Futures contracts	Cost of Revenues	$	160,886		$	(783,845	)
Forward contracts	Cost of Revenues	(119,374		)	717,971

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Inventory (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Inventory [Abstract]

Schedule of Inventory

Inventory consisted of the following as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018:

	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Raw materials	$	2,958,031	$	3,396,707
Finished goods	1,963,909		2,589,255
Work in process	528,737		514,881
Parts inventory	1,115,952		1,060,658
	$	6,566,629	$	7,561,501

*Derived from audited financial statements.

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Investments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Equity Method Investments

Condensed, combined unaudited financial information of the Company’s investments in RPMG, LT, GH, GEM and REF is as follows:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	211,120,170	$	189,839,430
Other Assets	234,393,571		234,748,455
Current Liabilities	166,492,477		175,836,322
Long-term Liabilities	105,888,646		78,589,892
Members' Equity	173,132,618		170,161,671
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019		March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	60,642,960	$	65,898,841
Gross Profit	6,057,980		6,328,577
Net Income	3,010,741		2,733,408

The following table shows the condensed financial information of Ring-neck Energy & Feed:

Balance Sheet	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Current Assets	$	794,325		$	1,018,076
Other Assets	133,030,036			128,668,387
Current Liabilities	5,791,167			5,724,979
Long-term Liabilities	45,197,190			40,414,089
Members' Equity	82,836,004			83,547,395
	Three Months Ended
Income Statement	March 31, 2019			March 31, 2018
Revenue	$	—		$	—
Gross Profit	—			—
Net Income (Loss)	(704,938		)	(744,021		)

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Long Term Notes Payable (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Long Term Note Payable [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments

The balances of the notes payable are as follows:

	March 31, 2019			December 31, 2018*
Notes Payable - FCSA	$	31,100,000		$	24,600,000
Less unamortized debt issuance costs	(13,611		)	(14,632		)
	31,086,389			24,585,368
Less current portion	(1,000,000		)	(1,000,000		)
	$	30,086,389		$	23,585,368
*Derived from audited financial statements

Schedule of Principal repayment and amortization of debt issuance cost

Principal maturities for the next five years are estimated as follows:

Years Ending March 31,	Principal
2020	$	1,000,000
2021	1,000,000
2022	1,000,000
2023	1,000,000
2024	1,000,000
thereafter	26,100,000

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

The following table summarizes financial assets and financial liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 segregated by the level of the valuation inputs within the fair value hierarchy utilized to measure fair value:

	Total			Level 1			Level 2			Level 3
March 31, 2019
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	69,475		$	69,475		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	7,153		$	—		$	7,153		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	(10,163	)	$	(10,163	)	$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	(254,337	)	$	—		$	(254,337	)	$	—
December 31, 2018*
Assets:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	175,038		$	175,038		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	676		$	—		$	676		—
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments,
futures contracts	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
forward contracts	$	368,475		$	—		$	368,475		$	—

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Related Party Transactions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Schedule of Related Party Transactions

Revenues and marketing fees related to the agreements are as follows:

	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2019		2018
Revenues ethanol	$	16,396,785	$	15,617,431
Revenues distillers dried grains	325,582		239,211
Revenues corn oil	799,556		563,350
Marketing fees ethanol	60,960		65,865
Marketing fees distillers dried grains	2,177		574
Marketing fees corn oil	6,433		4,980
	March 31, 2019		December 31, 2018*
Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$	3,701,774	$	836,798

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Nature of Operations (Details) gal in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 gal
Product Information [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5
Ethanol [Member] | Product [Member]
Product Information [Line Items]
Annual production capacity	40

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Revenue from customers (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 21,613,298	$ 19,804,272
Ethanol [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	16,335,825	15,551,565
Distillers Grain [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	4,484,350	3,694,336
Corn Oil [Member]
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax	$ 793,123	$ 558,371

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Receivables and Credit Policies (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Receivables [Abstract]
Payment term	15 days
Payment term before interest is applied	30 days
Trade Receivable, Unpaid Balance, Interest Rate		1.50%
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation Allowances and Reserves, Amount	$ 2,131	$ 2,131

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Derivative Instruments - Balance Sheet (Details) bu in Millions	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) bu MMBTU T $ / MMBTU $ / usd_per_lb $ / bu $ / T	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	$ 721,277	$ 554,005
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities	254,337	368,475
Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Cash held by broker	654,812	378,291
Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, current	66,465	175,714
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Assets	721,277	554,005
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments and Hedges, Liabilities	$ 254,337	368,475
Corn [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | bu	1.8
Average price per unit | $ / bu	3.46
Percent of required need, coverage	10.00%
Natural Gas [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | MMBTU	451,000
Average price per unit | $ / MMBTU	2.49
Percent of required need, coverage	39.00%
Distillers Grain [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Percent of required need, coverage	14.00%
Forward Contracts [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, current	$ 7,153	676
Distillers Grain [Domain]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | T	20,000
Average price per unit | $ / T	128
Distillers Corn Oil [Domain]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Number of instruments held | bu	2.3
Average price per unit | $ / usd_per_lb	0.25
Percent of required need, coverage	20.00%
Futures contracts in gain position [Member] | Future [Member] | Current Assets [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative assets, current	$ 69,475	175,038
Futures Contracts held in loss position [Member] | Future [Member] | Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative liability, current	$ 10,163	$ 0

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Derivative Instruments - Income Statement (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) $ / usd_per_lb	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)
Distillers Corn Oil [Domain]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Average price per unit | $ / usd_per_lb	0.25
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Future [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ 160,886	$ (783,845)
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cost of Sales [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Derivative, Gain (Loss) on Derivative, Net	$ (119,374)	$ 717,971

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Investments (Details)	Mar. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Equity Method Investments, Number of Entities	5

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Inventory (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Inventory [Abstract]
Raw Materials	$ 2,958,031	$ 3,396,707
Finished Goods	1,963,909	2,589,255
Work in Process	528,737	514,881
Parts Inventory	1,115,952	1,060,658
Inventory	$ 6,566,629	$ 7,561,501

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Investments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 17,523,398		$ 17,300,470
Current Assets	211,120,170		189,839,430
Other Assets	234,393,571		234,748,455
Current Liabilities	166,492,477		175,836,322
Long-term Liabilities	105,888,646		78,589,892
Members' Equity	173,132,618		170,161,671
Revenue	60,642,960	$ 65,898,841
Gross Profit	6,057,980	6,328,577
Net Income (Loss)	3,010,741	2,733,408
Equity in net income (loss) of investments	$ 213,861	209,464
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	6.00%
Investments	$ 1,237,000		1,312,000
Lawrenceville Tanks, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10.00%
Investments	$ 270,000		266,000
Guardian Hankinson, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	10.00%
Investments	$ 5,551,000		5,274,000
Current Assets	794,325		1,018,076
Other Assets	133,030,036		128,668,387
Current Liabilities	5,791,167		5,724,979
Long-term Liabilities	45,197,190		40,414,089
Members' Equity	82,836,004		83,547,395
Revenue	0	0
Gross Profit	0	0
Net Income (Loss)	$ (704,938)	(744,021)
Guardian Energy Management [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	17.00%
Investments	$ 53,000		53,000
Ring-Neck Energy and Feeds, LLC [Domain]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	11.00%
Ring-neck Energy and Feeds [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments	$ 10,412,000		$ 10,396,000
Accretion (Amortization) of Discounts and Premiums, Investments	1,120,000
Basis adjustment	474,000
Capitalized interest	$ 646,000
Amortization period for amortization of investment premium	20 years
Equity in net income (loss) of investments	$ (79,000)	(85,000)
Other Investments Combined [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity in net income (loss) of investments	$ 299,000	$ 293,000

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Revolving Operating Note (Details) - Farm Credit Services of America [Member] - Line of Credit [Member]	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($)
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 10,000,000
Basis spread on variable rate	3.00%
Interest rate at period end	5.50%
Unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.25%
Amount outstanding	$ 0
Remaining borrowing capacity	$ 6,651,000

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Long Term Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 31,100,000	$ 24,600,000
Long-term debt	31,086,389	24,585,368
Unamortized debt issuance expense	(13,611)	(14,632)
Long-term debt, current maturities	(1,000,000)	(1,000,000)
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities	30,086,389	$ 23,585,368
2020	1,000,000
2021	1,000,000
2022	1,000,000
2023	1,000,000
2024	1,000,000
thereafter	26,100,000
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Medium-term Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Medium-term notes	8,000,000
Annual principal payment	$ 1,000,000
Interest rate	5.75%
Basis spread on variable rate	3.25%
Medium-term notes, current	$ 7,000,000
Farm Credit Services of America [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Basis spread on variable rate	3.25%
Current borrowing capacity	$ 40,000,000
Periodic decrease in line of credit availability	1,750,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 26,000,000
Interest rate at period end	5.75%
Unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.50%
Amount outstanding	$ 24,100,000
Remaining borrowing capacity	$ 15,900,000

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Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	$ 31,100,000	$ 24,600,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Long-term debt, gross	31,100,000	24,600,000
Long-term debt, fair value	31,100,000	24,600,000
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	69,475	175,038
Derivative liability	10,163	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	69,475	175,038
Derivative liability	10,163	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	0	0
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Future [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	0	0
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	7,153	676
Derivative liability	254,337	(368,475)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	0	0
Derivative liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	7,153	676
Derivative liability	254,337	(368,475)
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Forward Contracts [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Derivative asset	0	0
Derivative liability	$ 0	$ 0

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Related Party Transactions (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019	Mar. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2018
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Amounts due included in accounts receivable	$ 3,701,774		$ 836,798
Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	6.00%
Purchases from related party	$ 241,000	$ 423,000
Due to related parties	22,000		$ 37,000
Ethanol [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue, related party	16,396,785	15,617,431
Marketing fees, related party	60,960	65,865
Distillers Grain [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue, related party	325,582	239,211
Marketing fees, related party	2,177	574
Corn Oil [Member] | Renewable Products Marketing Group, LLC (RPMG) [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Revenue, related party	799,556	563,350
Marketing fees, related party	$ 6,433	$ 4,980

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Commitments (Details) - Product [Member] - Ethanol [Member] gal in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) gal
Long-term Purchase Commitment [Line Items]
Annual production capacity after expansion | gal	90
Estimated Expansion Costs	$ 35.9
Remaining minimum amount committed	$ 3.1