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, 2017	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Beginning balance	$	28,625		$	7,711		$	38,092		$	1,786		$	—	$	76,214
Provision charged to operating expense	4,387			2,048			(4,128		)	(577		)	—		1,730
Less loans charged-off	(444		)	(2,596		)	(793		)	(22		)	—		(3,855		)
Add back recoveries of loans previously charged-off	524			1,205			391			22			—		2,142
Ending balance	$	33,092		$	8,368		$	33,562		$	1,209		$	—	$	76,231

As of March 31, 2017	Real Estate			Consumer			Commercial			Agriculture			Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	8,066		$	—		$	7,176		$	223		$	—	$	15,465
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	25,026			8,368			26,386			986			—		60,766
Allowance for loan losses	$	33,092		$	8,368		$	33,562		$	1,209		$	—	$	76,231

Loans held for investment:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	63,512		$	—		$	33,079		$	1,155		$	—	$	97,746
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,393,354			973,161			784,762			124,337			3,182		5,278,796
Total loans	$	3,456,866		$	973,161		$	817,841		$	125,492		$	3,182	$	5,376,542



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 December 31, 2016	Real Estate		Consumer		Commercial		Agriculture		Other		Total
Allowance for loan losses:
Loans individually evaluated for impairment	$	4,588	$	—	$	9,254	$	112	$	—	$	13,954
Loans collectively evaluated for impairment	24,037		7,711		28,838		1,674		—		62,260
Allowance for loan losses	$	28,625	$	7,711	$	38,092	$	1,786	$	—	$	76,214

Loans held for investment:
Individually evaluated for impairment	$	68,632	$	—	$	32,397	$	3,662	$	—	$	104,691
Collectively evaluated for impairment	3,445,451		970,266		765,545		129,196		1,601		5,312,059
Total loans	$	3,514,083	$	970,266	$	797,942	$	132,858	$	1,601	$	5,416,750

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, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company's allowance for loan losses included $565 and $427, respectively, related to loans acquired credit impaired.