Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

Nature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

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 amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Concentration of credit risk

Concentration of credit risk:  The Company’s cash balances are maintained in bank deposit accounts which at times may exceed federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents:  For the purposes of reporting the statement of cash flows, the Company includes as cash equivalents all cash accounts and highly liquid debt instruments which are not subject to withdrawal restrictions or penalties.  Certificates of deposit are considered investments as all have been purchased with maturities in excess of ninety days.  Although the Company maintains its cash accounts in one bank, the Company believes it is not exposed to any significant credit risk on cash and cash equivalents.  The Company has repurchase agreements with one bank, which totaled approximately $2,337,771 at September 30, 2013.  In accordance with the terms of the repurchase agreements, the Company does not take possession of the related securities.  The Company’s agreements also contain provisions to ensure that the market value of the underlying assets remain sufficient to protect the Company in the event of default by the banks by requiring that the underlying securities have a total market value of at least 100% of the bank’s total obligations under the agreements.

Trade accounts receivable

Trade accounts receivable:  Trade accounts receivable are recorded at original invoice amounts less an estimate made for doubtful receivables based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis.  Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts by regularly evaluating individual customer receivables and considering customers financial condition, credit history and current economic conditions.  Receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible.  Recoveries of receivables written off are recorded when received.  A receivable is considered past due if any portion of the receivable is outstanding more than 90 days.

Inventories

Inventories:  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out method.  In the valuation of inventories and purchase and sale commitments, market is based on current replacement values except that it does not exceed net realizable values and is not less than net realizable values reduced by allowances for approximate normal profit margin.

Financing costs

Financing costs:  Financing costs are recorded at cost and include expenditures directly related to securing debt financing.  The Company is amortizing these costs using the effective interest method over the term of the agreement.  The financing costs are included in interest expense on the statement of operations.

Property and equipment

Property and equipment:  Property and equipment is stated at cost.  Construction in progress is comprised of costs related to the projects that are not completed.  Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:

	Years
Land improvements	20
Buildings and improvements	40
Plant and process equipment	5 – 20
Office furniture and equipment	3 – 7

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; major improvements and betterments are capitalized.  

Investments

Investments:  The Company has investments in financial service cooperatives.  These investments are carried at cost including allocated retained earnings of the cooperatives.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments:  The Company periodically enters into derivative contracts to hedge the Company’s exposure to price risk related to forecasted corn needs, forward corn purchase contracts and ethanol sales.  The Company does not typically enter into derivative instruments other than for hedging purposes.  All the derivative contracts are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair market value.  Although the Company believes its derivative positions are economic hedges, none have been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes.   Accordingly, any realized or unrealized gain or loss related to corn derivatives is recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of goods sold.  Any realized or unrealized gain or loss related to ethanol derivative instruments is recorded in the statement of operations as a component of revenue. The Company reports all contracts with the same counter party on a net basis on the balance sheet.

Deposit

Deposit:  The Internal Revenue Service (under Section 7519) requires partnerships that elect a fiscal year over a calendar year to make a deposit each year.  The deposit is 25% of annual taxable net income, multiplied by the tax rate of 36% for the reporting fiscal year.

Revenue recognition

Revenue recognition:  Revenue from the sale of the Company’s ethanol and distillers grains is recognized at the time title and all risks of ownership transfer to the customers.  This generally occurs upon the loading of the product.  For ethanol, title passes at the time the product crosses the loading flange in either a railcar or truck.  For distiller’s grain, title passes upon the loading into trucks.  For railcar shipments, this takes place when the railcar is filled and the marketer receives written notice that they have been loaded and are available for billing.  Shipping and handling costs incurred by the Company for the sale of distiller’s grain are included in costs of goods sold. Ethanol revenue is reported free on board (FOB) and all shipping and handling costs are incurred by the ethanol marketer. For the years 2012 and 2011 freight for ethanol was included in costs of goods sold. Commissions for the marketing and sale of ethanol and distiller grains are included in costs of goods sold.

Income taxes

Income taxes:  The Company is organized as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes and generally does not incur income taxes.  Instead, the Company’s earnings and losses are included in the income tax returns of the members.  Therefore, no provision or liability for federal or state income taxes has been included in these financial statements. Management has evaluated the Company's material tax positions and determined there were no uncertain tax positions that require adjustment to the financial statements. The Company does not currently anticipate significant changes in its uncertain tax positions over the next 12 months. Generally, the Company remains subject to income tax examinations by U.S. federal or state tax authorities for fiscal years 2010 and thereafter.

Earnings per unit

Earnings per unit:  Basic and diluted earnings per unit have been computed on the basis of the weighted average number of units outstanding during each period presented.

Fair value of financial instruments

Fair value of financial instruments:  The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, derivative financial instruments, trade and other accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value.  The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value because the interest rates are based on current rates offered to the Company for debt with similar terms and maturities.