PROGOLD, LLC
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT
To the Board of Governors
ProGold, LLC
West Fargo, North Dakota
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of ProGold, LLC, which comprise of the balance sheet as of December 31, 2022, the related statements of income, changes in members’ equity, and cash flows for the four month period then ended, and the related notes to the financial statements.
In our opinion, the accompanying financial statements presented fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ProGold, LLC as of December 31, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the four month period then ended in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAS). Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements section of our report. We are required to be independent of ProGold, LLC and to meet our ethical responsibilities, in accordance with the relevant ethical requirements relating to our audit. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion.
Responsibilities of Management for the Financial Statements
Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and for the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair presentation of the financial statements that are free from material misstatements, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, management is required to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about ProGold, LLC‘s ability to continue as a going concern for one year after the date that the financial statements are issued.
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Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Financial Statements
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance but is not absolute assurance andtherefore is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with GAAS will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. The risk of not detecting a material misstatement resulting from fraud is higher than one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of internal control. Misstatements are considered materialif there is a substantial likelihood that, individually, or in the aggregate, they would influence the judgement made by a reasonable user based on the financial statements.
In performing an audit in accordance with GAAS, we:
| | ● | Exercise professional judgement and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. |
| ● | Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, and design and perform audit procedures responsible to those risks. Such proceduresinclude examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. |
| ● | Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit proceduresthat are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of ProGold, LLC’s internal control. Accordingly, no such opinion is expressed. |
| ● | Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used the reasonableness of significant accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluate the overall presentation of thefinancial statements. |
| ● | Conclude whether, in our judgement, there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate,that raise substantial doubt about ProGold, LLC’s ability to continue as a going concern for a reasonable period of time. |
We are required to communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, theplanned scope and timing of the audit, significant audit findings, and certain internal control-related matters that we identified during the audit.
Fargo, North Dakota
January 31, 2023
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PROGOLD LLC
BALANCE SHEET
DECEMBER 31, 2022
| ASSETS | | | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 198,916 | |
| Prepaid insurance | | 24,072 | |
| Total current assets | | 222,988 | |
| PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT HELD FOR LEASE | | | |
| Land and land improvements | | 10,191,265 | |
| Buildings and equipment | | 256,397,834 | |
| Less accumulated depreciation | | (230,372,748 | ) |
| Total property and equipment held for lease | | 36,216,351 | |
| OTHER ASSETS | | | |
| Deferred lease asset | | 258,720 | |
| Total assets | $ | 36,698,059 | |
| LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY | | | |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | |
| Related party accounts payable | $ | 30,719 | |
| | | | |
| MEMBERS' EQUITY | | 36,667,340 | |
| Total liabilities and members' equity | $ | 36,698,059 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 3 |
PROGOLD LLC
STATEMENT OF INCOME
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
| REVENUES | | | |
| Related party rental revenue on operating lease | $ | 5,270,115 | |
| | | | |
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | |
| Depreciation | | 950,320 | |
| Maintenance | | 383,352 | |
| General and administrative | | 36,999 | |
| | | | |
| Total expenses | | 1,370,671 | |
| | | | |
| Operating income | | 3,899,444 | |
| | | | |
| NET INCOME | $ | 3,899,444 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 4 |
PROGOLD LLC
STATEMENT OF MEMBERS’ EQUITY
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
| | | American | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Crystal | | | Golden | | | | | | Total | |
| | | Sugar | | | Growers | | | | | | Members' | |
| | | Company | | | Cooperative | | | Cargill | | | Equity | |
| BALANCE, AUGUST 31, 2022 | $ | - | | $ | 18,585,240 | | $ | 18,585,240 | | $ | 37,170,480 | |
| Net income | | - | | | 1,949,722 | | | 1,949,722 | | | 3,899,444 | |
| Distributions | | - | | | (2,201,292 | ) | | (2,201,292 | ) | | (4,402,584 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| BALANCE, DECEMBER, 2022 | $ | - | | $ | 18,333,670 | | $ | 18,333,670 | | $ | 36,667,340 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 5 |
PROGOLD LLC
STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
| CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | |
| Net income | $ | 3,899,444 | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | | | |
| Depreciation | | 950,320 | |
| Changes in assets and liabilities | | | |
| Accounts receivable | | 30 | |
| Prepaid expenses | | 22,015 | |
| Other assets | | (103,448 | ) |
| Accounts payable | | (366,648 | ) |
| | | | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | 4,401,713 | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
| CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | |
| Distributions to members | | (4,402,584 | ) |
| | | | |
| NET CHANGE IN CASH | | (871 | ) |
| | | | |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, Beginning of period | | 199,787 | |
| | | | |
| CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, End of period | $ | 198,916 | |
| See Notes to Financial Statements | 6 |
PROGOLD LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
NOTE 1 – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Nature of Operations
ProGold, LLC (ProGold) is organized as a Minnesota limited liability company. ProGold was owned by American Crystal Sugar Company (51%) and Golden Growers Cooperative (49%). Effective March 1, 2022, American Crystal Sugar Company transferred ownership in ProGold to Cargill, Incorporated, resulting in a 50/50 venture between Cargill and Golden Growers Cooperative. In connection with the ownership change, ProGold elected to change its fiscal year end from August 31 to December 31, beginning September 1, 2022. Operating results are presented herein for the four month period ended December 31, 2022, and may not necessarily be reflective of results that might be achieved during a normal twelve month period. ProGold has been organized with a life of 50 years and its legal existence will terminate on July 13, 2044, absent a business continuation agreement.
Related Party Operating Lease
ProGold leases a corn wet milling facility to Cargill, Inc. under an operating lease which runs through December 31, 2026. Payments are to be received monthly under the lease. The operating lease revenue is recognized as earned ratably over the term of the lease and to the extent that amounts earned exceed amounts received, a deferred lease asset is recorded. The Company generates lease revenue which is recognized under ASC Topic 842, Leases, which falls outside the lease scope of ASC topic 606. The lease requires ProGold to pay $750,000 in fiscal year 2023 and $500,000 for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, to fund infrastructure maintenance. During the term of the lease, Cargill will deploy capital for several approved capital projects and will receive the benefit of depreciation during the term of the lease.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
ProGold Considers all highly liquid debt and equity instruments purchased with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. ProGold places its temporary cash investments with high-credit-quality financial institutions. At times, such investments may be in excess of the applicable insurance limit.
Property and Equipment Held for Lease
Property and equipment held for lease are stated at cost. Depreciation on assets placed in service is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the individual assets, ranging from 5 to 40 years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
ProGold reviews its property and equipment for impairment whenever events indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may be recoverable. An impairment loss is recorded when the sum of the future cash flows is less than the carrying amount of the asset. An impairment loss is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. There were no impairment losses for the period ended December 31, 2022.
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PROGOLD LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Related Parties
Golden Growers Cooperative, Cargill, Inc. and American Crystal Sugar are considered related parties for financial reporting purposes.
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are measured based on the amount of consideration specified in the operating lease agreement. Revenues are recognized when and as performance obligations are satisfied, which is when the rental revenue is received each month. The Company’s contracts are generally accounted for as a single performance obligation. The evaluation of contracts with customers, performance obligations, and variable consideration requires significant judgment.
Income Taxes
ProGold is treated in a manner similar to a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes, based upon its current organization. Accordingly, the financial statements do not include any provision for income taxes.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the 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 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.
Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of the auditor’s report, which is the date the financials were available to be issued. The Company believes that there have been no significant subsequent events where disclosures are necessary.
NOTE 2 – REVENUE RECOGNITION
The Company generates revenue primarily from rental income related to the operating agreement with Golden Growers Cooperative and Cargill, Incorporated.
Identify Contracts with Customers
Revenue are measured based on the amount of consideration specified in the operating lease agreement. Revenues are recognized when and as performance obligations are satisfied, which is when the rental revenue is received each month. The Company’s contracts are generally accounted for as a single performance obligation. The evaluation of contracts with customers, performance obligations, and variable consideration requires significant judgment.
Performance Obligations
Contracts are considered to contain a single performance obligation, which is the monthly rent. Payment is due based on terms specified in the operating agreement.
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PROGOLD LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
Variable Consideration
The nature of the Company’s business does not give rise to variable consideration.
Significant Judgments
The evaluation of contracts with customers, performance obligations, and variable consideration requires significant judgment; the decision to combine contracts or separate a combined or single contract into multiple performance obligations could change the amount of revenue and profit recorded in a given period.
NOTE 3 – RELATED PARTY LEASE WITH CARGILL, INC
Future minimum payments to be received under the lease are as follows:
| | 2023 | $ | 15,500,000 | |
| | 2024 | | 16,000,000 | |
| | 2025 | | 16,000,000 | |
| | 2026 | | 16,000,000 | |
| | | | | |
| | | $ | 63,500,000 | |
NOTE 4 – RELATED PARTY CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AGREEMENT WITH CARGILL, INC
ProGold entered into an Infrastructure Maintenance Agreement with Cargill, Inc in which ProGold agreed to fund Cargill Inc for infrastructure maintenance as set forth in the following schedule:
| | 2023 | $ | 750,000 | |
| | 2024 | | 500,000 | |
| | 2025 | | 500,000 | |
| | 2026 | | 500,000 | |
| | | | | |
| | | $ | 2,250,000 | |
NOTE 5 – DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS
Distributions are authorized by the Board of Governors and distributed among Members based on their percentage interest.
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PROGOLD LLC
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE FOUR MONTH PERIOD ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2022
NOTE 6 – ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
ProGold is subject to extensive federal and state environmental laws and regulations with respect to water and air quality, solid wase disposal and odor and noise control. The operating lease with Cargill, Inc provides that ProGold be responsible for claims arising for occurrences prior to the execution of the original operating lease, December 1, 1997. ProGold believes that it was in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations prior to that time. The operating lease also provides that Cargill, Inc operate the corn wet milling facility in compliance with all applicable federal and state environmental laws and regulations further the term of the lease.
NOTE 7 – INCOME TAXES
ProGold conducts an annual analysis of its various tax positions, assessing the likelihood of those positions being upheld upon examination with relevant tax authorities. ProGold has determined that it has no unrecognized tax benefits. No interest or penalties are recognized in the statements of operations. ProGold is no longer subject to U.S. Federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for fiscal years 2017 and earlier.
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