Archive for category: News

On May 27th WBI Energy (MDU Resources Group company) filed a NGA Section 7 application with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). WBI’s filing requests authorization to construct, modify, operate and maintain facilities for its proposed Wahpeton Expansion Project.

FERC is anticipated to issue a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in September with a Final EIS anticipated in January. Late in 2021 WBI conducted public open houses in Wahpeton and Kindred to explain the project. The 60.5 mile 12-inch pipeline will originate at the Mapleton compressor station and deliver 20.6 million cubic feet of natural gas to the Kindred and Wahpeton communities.

This project, which is vital to ProGold’s future, remains on track with an anticipated completion date of November 2024. Additional information may be found at: https://www.wbienergy.com/projects/wahpeton/.

Chairman Mark Harless reviewed the change in ownership of ProGold LLC. “On March 1st, Cargill purchased 50% interest (in ProGold) from American Crystal Sugar Company and Golden Growers Cooperative purchased American Crystal’s remaining 1%. The next result is that Cargill and Golden Growers each own 50% interest in ProGold, LLC.”

Harless indicated that MDU’s August decision to build a natural gas pipeline to Wahpeton was a key issue for Cargill to consider exercising its option. Harless said that Cargill previously indicated that landing a co-located partner to utilize a significant portion of the corn plant’s grind was critical to exercising their option. “We found ourselves in a ‘catch-22’ situation. We needed natural gas to attract co-located partners, but natural gas providers wanted guaranteed purchase agreements” that neither ProGold or Cargill could sign. MDU’s new proposal involved “a commitment to purchase gas, but not guarantee repayment. In essence, it would prioritize stability and opportunity over the risk of repayment.” Harless thanked a ‘Team of Advocates’ who assisted in making the pipeline a reality. He recognized Wahpeton Mayor Steve Dale, City Auditor Darcie Huwe, Wahpeton’s gas consultant, the late David Yexley, and State Representative Alisa Mitskog. Harless also thanked Cargill for engaging in the effort.

“With natural gas uncertainty in the rear view mirror, Cargill had to make a decision on whether or not to exercise their option,” relayed Harless. “Cargill reached out to Golden Growers to discuss how we might structure an agreement to allow them to make an equity investment in ProGold.” The Board outlined GGC’s intention to have a long-term relationship with the plant. GGC also wanted to protect members’ investment and remove uncertainty for the future. Cargill was still interested in an integrated joint venture for the long term, but needed time to attract that elusive co-located partner. “After months of negotiations, Cargill and GGC reached final agreement,” said Harless.

Under terms of the agreement ProGold will lease the corn wet milling facility to Cargill through December 31, 2026. Lease payments for 2022 and 2023 will be $15.5 Million with a $750,000 ProGold contribution to infrastructure maintenance. For 2024 through 2026, the lease increases to $16 Million with $500,000 per year committed to infrastructure. “Under certain circumstances, Cargill and GGC may reach an integrated Joint Venture Agreement to fully share profits and losses of the facility.” GGC would be required to reimburse Cargill for 50% of undepreciated capital projects and costs associated with hosting a co-located partner. “If conditions do not occur OR Cargill and GGC are unable to agree on an integrated JV operating agreement, Cargill will purchase GGC’s interest in ProGold for $81 Million, plus half of any remaining lease payments,” stated Harless.

“Our agreement with Cargill assures that the ProGold plant will continue operations well into the future. This is important to Golden Growers members, the employees who work there, corn producers who deliver to the facility, and the surrounding community.” Harless offered his appreciation to American Crystal Sugar Company for their trusted partnership over the past 28 years. “As of March 1st, we are embarking on a new chapter for ProGold and Golden Growers as one partnershp ends and our new partnership with Cargill beings.”

Scott Stofferahn stressed that while the GGC Board believes that the recent agreement with Cargill is favorable to Unit values, GGC will not offer an opinion on the value of Units. “How units are valued is up to each one of you as members. But all of the information you need to make that judgement is available to you.” Stofferahn said. GGC’s balance sheet, future lease payments, the potential for a future JV and potential associated costs, the guaranteed buyout value should no agreement be achieved, and outstanding units of 15,490,480 are in SEC filings, on the GGC website, etc., he said.

West Fargo, ND (February 24, 2022) Cargill Inc. (Cargill) formally announced that it will exercise its option to purchase American Crystal’s 50% interest in ProGold LLC (ProGold).  As a party to the 2018 Consent Agreement, Golden Growers Cooperative (Golden Growers) will purchase American Crystal’s remaining 1%.  The net result is that Cargill and GGC will each own 50% interest in ProGold, LLC.

“We believe this agreement with Cargill offers a bright future for our members,” stated Mark Harless, Golden Growers Chairman.  “Our agreement signals a long-term commitment to the Wahpeton community, employees of the facility, and corn producers.  For the past twenty-eight years, American Crystal Sugar Company has been our trusted partner.  We are so thankful for those years and look forward to a new chapter for ProGold and Golden Growers.”

“This strategic partnership combines the strengths of both parties, paving the way for long-term reliability and viability of corn-based ingredients to supply our customers,” said Mike Wagner, managing director for Cargill’s starches, sweeteners and texturizers business in North America. “We’re proud of our team members who have been instrumental in the success of this operation and our long-standing partnership with ProGold and the local corn growers for the past 25 years. We look forward to exploring new growth opportunities for the facility, including attracting co-location partners to the site.”

Asked about the sale, American Crystal Sugar Company CEO Tom Astrup said, “American Crystal has enjoyed a long, successful partnership with Golden Growers Cooperative and through ProGold, with Cargill. This transaction allows us to focus our efforts on our core business strategies.”

While terms of those agreements are confidential, the following information about them is being released to Golden Growers members and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission in accordance with regulations.

ProGold will lease the facility to Cargill through December 31^st, 2026.  For 2022 and 2023, lease payments will be $15,500,000 with ProGold committing $750,000/year to infrastructure maintenance.  For 2024 through 2026, lease payments will increase to $16,000,000 with $500,000/year to infrastructure maintenance.  During the lease period, Cargill will deploy capital for several approved projects. They will hold a leasehold interest in these capital projects and receive the benefit of depreciation during the lease period.

Under certain conditions, Golden Growers and Cargill may enter into an integrated JV agreement to operate the facility.  If Cargill and Golden Growers achieve an integrated Joint Venture agreement, Golden Growers will reimburse Cargill for 50% of the undepreciated capital expense associated with those approved projects.  If conditions do not occur OR if Cargill Inc. and Golden Growers are unable to agree on an integrated JV agreement, Cargill will purchase Golden Growers interest in ProGold for $81,000,000 plus half of any remaining lease payments.

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About ProGold, LLC

ProGold LLC was formed in 1994 as a joint venture between Golden Growers Cooperative, American Crystal Sugar Company, and Minn-Dak Farmers Cooperative to build and operate a corn wet milling facility at Wahpeton, ND.  After operating the facility for one year, ProGold leased the facility to Cargill.  Cargill has continuously leased the facility since that time.  In 2003, Minn-Dak sold its interest in ProGold, LLC to American Crystal Sugar Company resulting in an ownership interest of 51% American Crystal Sugar Company and 49% Golden Growers Cooperative.  Once this transaction is finalized, Cargill and Golden Growers will each own 50% of ProGold LLC.

About Golden Growers Cooperative
Golden Growers Cooperative (GGC) was formed in 1994 to create a value-added processing opportunity for corn growers in the Dakotas and Minnesota, and currently has about 1,500 members.

About Cargill

Cargill’s 155,000 employees across 70 countries work relentlessly to achieve our purpose of nourishing the world in a safe, responsible and sustainable way. Every day, Cargill connects farmers with markets, customers with ingredients, and people and animals with the food they need to thrive.

Cargill combines 156 years of experience with new technologies and insights to serve as a trusted partner for food, agriculture, financial and industrial customers in more than 125 countries. Side-by-side, Cargill is building a stronger, sustainable future for agriculture. For more information, visit Cargill.com and our News Center.

About American Crystal Sugar
At American Crystal Sugar Company, growers who grow and harvest the sugarbeets also own the company and the factories that make their products. Through its sugarbeet processing facilities, American Crystal Sugar Company processes sugarbeets into all-natural sugar, agri-products such as molasses; sugarbeet pulp; and other byproducts of the molasses desugarization process, like betaaine and concentrated separated by byproduct, (CSB).

American Crystal Sugar is proud to be an economic engine of their communities.  They employee 1,400 full-time employees and about 900 hourly seasonal wokers and many more contracted third-party workers.