The following tables present a summary of changes in the allowance for loan losses by portfolio segment for the periods indicated.



Three Months Ended March 31, 2016	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	52,296		$	5,144		$	18,775		$	602	$	—	$	76,817
Provision charged to operating expense	(16,081		)	1,229			17,690			1,162		—		4,000
Less loans charged-off	(1,922		)	(1,892		)	(488		)	—		—		(4,302		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	2,359			775			275			—		—		3,409
Ending balance	$	36,652		$	5,256		$	36,252		$	1,764	$	—	$	79,924

As of March 31, 2016	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	5,582		$	—		$	8,176		$	189	$	—	$	13,947
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	31,070			5,256			28,076			1,575		—		65,977
Allowance for loan losses	$	36,652		$	5,256		$	36,252		$	1,764	$	—	$	79,924

Individually evaluated for impairment	$	63,587		$	—		$	24,263		$	794	$	—	$	88,644
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,310,551			865,455			800,780			125,496		543		5,102,825
Total loans	$	3,374,138		$	865,455		$	825,043		$	126,290	$	543	$	5,191,469



Three Months Ended March 31, 2015	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	53,884		$	5,035		$	14,307		$	974	$	—	$	74,200
Provision charged to operating expense	(1,031		)	1,125			993			8		—		1,095
Less loans charged-off	(186		)	(1,301		)	(374		)	—		—		(1,861		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	992			640			270			—		—		1,902
Ending balance	$	53,659		$	5,499		$	15,196		$	982	$	—	$	75,336



As of December 31, 2015	Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial		Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,794	$	—	$	6,487	$	294	$	—	$	11,575
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	47,502		5,144		12,288		308		—		65,242
Allowance for loan losses	$	52,296	$	5,144	$	18,775	$	602	$	—	$	76,817

Total loans:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	66,516	$	—	$	24,471	$	978	$	—	$	91,965
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,346,546		844,353		767,945		141,173		1,339		5,101,356
Total loans	$	3,413,062	$	844,353	$	792,416	$	142,151	$	1,339	$	5,193,321

The Company performs a quarterly assessment of the adequacy of its allowance for loan losses in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The methodology used to assess the adequacy is consistently applied to the Company's loan portfolio and consists of three elements: (1) specific valuation allowances based on probable losses on impaired loans; (2) historical valuation allowances based on loan loss experience for similar loans with similar characteristics and trends; and (3) general valuation allowances determined based on changes in the nature of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, delinquency trends, general economic conditions and other qualitative risk factors both internal and external to the Company.

Specific allowances are established for loans where management has determined that probability of a loss exists by analyzing the borrower’s ability to repay amounts owed, collateral deficiencies and any relevant qualitative or economic factors impacting the loan. Historical valuation allowances are determined by applying percentage loss factors to the credit exposures from outstanding loans. For commercial, agricultural and real estate loans, loss factors are applied based on the internal risk classifications of these loans. For consumer loans, loss factors are applied on a portfolio basis. For commercial, agriculture and real estate loans, loss factor percentages are based on a migration analysis of our historical loss experience, designed to account for credit deterioration. For consumer loans, loss factor percentages are based on a one-year loss history. General valuation allowances are determined by evaluating, on a quarterly basis, changes in the nature and volume of the loan portfolio, overall portfolio quality, industry concentrations, current economic and regulatory conditions and the estimated impact of these factors on historical loss rates.

An allowance for loan losses is established for loans acquired credit impaired and for which the Company projects a decrease in the expected cash flows in periods subsequent to the acquisition of such loans. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the Company's allowance for loan losses included $393 and $287, respectively, related to loans acquired credit impaired.