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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
x
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
 
 
 
OR
 
 
o
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
 
 
 
For the transition period from               to               .
 
 
 
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-52033
 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
North Dakota
 
76-0742311
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
 
3682 Highway 8 South, P.O. Box 11, Richardton, ND 58652
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(701) 974-3308
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
x Yes     o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
x Yes     o No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large Accelerated Filer  o
Accelerated Filer   o
Non-Accelerated Filer x
Smaller Reporting Company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
o Yes     x No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 

As of May 11, 2012 , there were 40,213,973 Class A Membership Units outstanding.

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INDEX

 
Page Number
 
 


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PART I        FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
Condensed Balance Sheets

 ASSETS
 
March 31, 2012
 
September 30, 2011

 
 (Unaudited)
 

Current Assets
 

 

Cash and equivalents
 
$
391,176

 
$
4,672,997

Accounts receivable, primarily related party
 
4,859,476

 
6,304,409

Other receivables
 
102,844

 
1,520,697

Commodities derivative instruments, at fair value
 
1,350,000

 

Inventory
 
10,575,701

 
11,659,863

Prepaid expenses
 
99,597

 
160,105

Total current assets
 
17,378,794

 
24,318,071


 

 

Property, Plant and Equipment
 

 

Land
 
351,280

 
351,280

Land improvements
 
4,023,408

 
3,984,703

Buildings
 
5,459,632

 
5,317,814

Plant and equipment
 
76,230,669

 
80,731,194

Construction in progress
 
126,355

 
649,325


 
86,191,344

 
91,034,316

Less accumulated depreciation
 
29,391,499

 
27,670,319

Net property, plant and equipment
 
56,799,845

 
63,363,997


 

 

Other Assets
 

 

Investment in RPMG
 
605,000

 
605,000

Patronage equity
 
725,660

 
725,660

Deposits
 
100,294

 
185,150

Total other assets
 
1,430,954

 
1,515,810


 

 

Total Assets
 
$
75,609,593

 
$
89,197,878


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
Condensed Balance Sheets

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
 
March 31, 2012
 
September 30, 2011

 
 (Unaudited)
 

Current Liabilities
 

 

Accounts payable
 
$
3,165,596

 
$
7,225,527

Accrued expenses
 
3,572,260

 
2,710,116

Commodities derivative instruments, at fair value
 

 
21,062

Accrued loss on firm purchase commitments
 
677,000

 
444,000

Current maturities of long-term debt
 
2,178,829

 
30,831,502

Interest rate swaps, at fair value
 
195,959

 
827,887

Total current liabilities
 
9,789,644

 
42,060,094


 

 

Long-Term Liabilities
 

 

Notes payable
 
18,046,099

 
86,353

Contracts payable
 
275,000

 
275,000

Total long-term liabilities
 
18,321,099

 
361,353


 

 

Commitments and Contingencies
 

 


 

 

Members’ Equity
 
47,498,850

 
46,776,431

 
 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Members’ Equity
 
$
75,609,593

 
$
89,197,878


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.

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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
Statements of Operations (Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
 
Three Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

March 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2011
 
March 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2011

(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
Revenues, primarily related party
$
37,123,717

 
$
31,953,093

 
$
74,550,717

 
$
62,706,054



 

 

 

Cost of Goods Sold

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold
36,812,127

 
30,954,449

 
73,142,435

 
56,819,838

Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment
39,893

 

 
180,647

 

Loss on firm purchase commitments
677,000

 

 
677,000

 

Total Cost of Goods Sold
37,529,020

 
30,954,449

 
74,000,082

 
56,819,838



 

 

 

Gross Profit (Loss)
(405,303
)
 
998,644

 
550,635

 
5,886,216



 

 

 

General and Administrative Expenses
574,223

 
676,755

 
1,249,530

 
1,768,302



 

 

 

Operating Income (Loss)
(979,526
)
 
321,889

 
(698,895
)
 
4,117,914



 

 

 

Other Income (Expense)

 

 

 

Interest income
13,007

 
11,290

 
27,240

 
24,110

Other income
46,892

 
74,932

 
1,847,577

 
120,810

Interest expense
11,294

 
(557,368
)
 
(463,505
)
 
(1,128,369
)
Total other income (expense), net
71,193

 
(471,146
)
 
1,411,312

 
(983,449
)


 

 

 

Net Income (Loss)
$
(908,333
)
 
$
(149,257
)
 
$
712,417

 
$
3,134,465



 

 

 

Weighted Average Units Outstanding
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
40,213,973

 
40,193,973

 
40,213,973

 
40,193,973



 

 

 

  Diluted
40,293,973

 
40,193,973

 
40,293,973

 
40,193,973

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss) Per Unit

 
 
 
 
 
 
  Basic
$
(0.02
)
 
$

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.08



 

 

 

  Diluted
$
(0.02
)
 
$

 
$
0.02

 
$
0.08

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Notes to Condensed Unaudited Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.



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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

Six Months Ended
 
Six Months Ended

March 31, 2012
 
March 31, 2011
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
Net income
$
712,417

 
$
3,134,465

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

Depreciation
1,721,180

 
2,945,783

Change in fair value of derivative instruments
(1,369,271
)
 
1,173,654

Equity based compensation
10,002

 

Lower of cost or market inventory adjustment
180,647

 

Loss on firm purchase commitments
677,000

 

Noncash patronage equity

 
(210,114
)
Change in operating assets and liabilities:

 

Restricted cash

 
(859,864
)
Accounts receivable
1,444,933

 
(1,822,473
)
Other receivables
1,417,853

 
(134,199
)
Inventory
903,515

 
(3,033,415
)
Prepaid expenses
60,508

 
(10,836
)
Other assets
84,856

 

Accounts payable
(1,321,257
)
 
307,159

Accrued expenses
862,144

 
(193,627
)
Accrued purchase commitment losses
(444,000
)
 

Cash settlements on interest rate swap
(633,714
)
 
(639,808
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
4,306,813

 
656,725

 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

Capital expenditures
(1,895,707
)
 
(984,265
)
   Net cash used in investing activities
(1,895,707
)
 
(984,265
)
 
 
 
 
Cash Flows from Financing Activities

 

Debt repayments
(6,692,927
)
 
(3,247,326
)
Net cash used in financing activities
(6,692,927
)
 
(3,247,326
)


 

Net Decrease in Cash and Equivalents
(4,281,821
)
 
(3,574,866
)
Cash and Equivalents - Beginning of Period
4,672,997

 
6,760,815

Cash and Equivalents - End of Period
$
391,176

 
$
3,185,949



 

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information

 

Interest paid net of swap settlements
$
833,033

 
$
1,082,950

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

 

Assets acquired under capital lease
$

 
$
470,241

Capital expenditures in accounts payable
$
333,425

 
$


Notes to Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements are an integral part of this Statement.



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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012


The accompanying condensed unaudited financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's audited financial statements for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011, contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of management, the interim condensed unaudited financial statements reflect all adjustments considered necessary for fair presentation. The adjustments made to these statements consist only of normal recurring adjustments. Operating results for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012.

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Nature of Business

Red Trail Energy, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company (the “Company”), owns and operates a 50 million gallon annual name-plate production ethanol plant near Richardton, North Dakota (the “Plant”).

Accounting Estimates

Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported revenues and expenses. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the useful lives of property, plant and equipment, valuation of derivatives, inventory, patronage equity and purchase commitments; the analysis of long-lived assets impairment and other contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Net Income (Loss) Per Unit

Net income (loss) per unit is calculated on a basic and fully diluted basis using the weighted average units outstanding during the period. There were 80,000 member unit equivalents outstanding during the periods presented.

2. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Commodity Contracts

As part of its hedging strategy, the Company may enter into ethanol, soybean oil, and corn commodity-based derivatives in order to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in commodity prices in order to protect gross profit margins from potentially adverse effects of market and price volatility on ethanol sales, corn oil sales, and corn purchase commitments where the prices are set at a future date. These derivatives are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes. For derivative instruments that are not accounted for as hedges, or for the ineffective portions of qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is recorded through earnings in the period of change. Ethanol derivative fair market value gains or losses are included in the results of operations and are classified as revenue and corn derivative changes in fair market value are included in cost of goods sold.

As of:
 
March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
Contract Type
 
# of Contracts
Notional Amount (Qty)
Fair Value
 
# of Contracts
Notional Amount (Qty)
Fair Value
Corn futures
 
800
4,000,000

bushels
$
1,350,000

 
10

50,000

bushels
$
(21,062
)
Total fair value
 
 
 
 
$
1,350,000

 
 
 
 
$
(21,062
)
Amounts are recorded separately on the balance sheet - negative numbers represent liabilities


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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

Interest Rate Contracts

The Company had approximately $17.0 million and $25.1 million of notional amount outstanding in interest rate swap agreements, as of March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively, that exchange variable interest rates (one-month LIBOR and three-month LIBOR) for fixed interest rates over the terms of the agreements. At March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011, the fair value of the interest rate swaps totaled approximately $196,000 and $828,000, respectively, and are recorded as a liability on the balance sheets. These agreements are not designated as effective hedges for accounting purposes and the change in fair market value and associated net settlements are recorded in interest expense. The swaps matured in April 2012 and upon execution of amended and restated loan agreements with its primary lender on April 16, 2012, the Company no longer had any swap agreements in place.

The Company recorded net settlements of approximately $634,000 and $640,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. See Note 4 for a description of these agreements.

The following tables provide details regarding the Company's derivative financial instruments at March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet - as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Asset
 
Liability
Commodity derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$
1,350,000

 
$

Amounts due to derivative broker (included in accrued expenses)
 


574,936

Interest rate swaps, at fair value
 

 
195,959

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes
 
$
1,350,000

 
$
770,895

 
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet - as of September 30, 2011
 
Asset
 
Liability
Commodity derivative instruments, at fair value
 
$

 
$
21,062

Interest rate swaps, at fair value
 

 
827,887

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes
 
$

 
$
848,949

Statement of Operations Income/(expense)
 
Location of gain (loss) in fair value recognized in income
 
Amount of gain(loss) recognized in income during the three months ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income during the three months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
 
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income during the six months ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income during the six months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
Corn derivative instruments
 
Cost of Goods Sold
 
$
2,235,125

 
$
(2,258,864
)
 
$
2,069,317

 
$
(2,471,446
)
Ethanol derivative instruments
 
Revenue
 

 

 

 
(166,025
)
Soybean oil derivative instruments
 
Revenue
 
1,506

 

 
1,506

 

Interest rate swaps
 
Interest Expense
 
(3,324
)
 
(25,739
)
 
(1,787
)
 
(34,955
)
Total
 
 
 
$
2,233,307

 
$
(2,284,603
)
 
$
2,069,036

 
$
(2,672,426
)

3. INVENTORY
Inventory is valued at lower of cost or market. Inventory values as of March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011 were as follows:

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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

As of
March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
Raw materials, including corn, chemicals and supplies
$
6,884,226

 
$
7,843,358

Work in process
1,183,604

 
1,276,576

Finished goods, including ethanol and distillers grains
1,264,613

 
1,480,899

Spare parts
1,243,258

 
1,059,030

Total inventory
$
10,575,701

 
$
11,659,863

Lower of cost or market adjustments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 were as follows:

 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011(unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2012(unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2011(unaudited)
Loss on firm purchase commitments
 
$
677,000

 
$

 
$
677,000

 
$

Loss on lower of cost or market adjustment for inventory on hand
 
39,893

 

 
180,647

 

Total loss on lower of cost or market adjustments
 
$
716,893

 
$

 
$
857,647

 
$


The Company has entered into forward corn purchase contracts under which it is required to take delivery at the contract price. At the time the contracts were created, the price of the contract price approximated market price. Subsequent changes in market conditions could cause the contract prices to become higher or lower than market prices. As of March 31, 2012, the average price of corn purchased under fixed price contracts, that had not yet been delivered, was slightly higher than market price. Based on this information, the Company accrued an estimated loss on firm purchase commitments of $677,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The loss is recorded in “Loss on firm purchase commitments” on the statement of operations. The amount of the loss was determined by applying a methodology similar to that used in the impairment valuation with respect to inventory. Given the uncertainty of future ethanol prices, this loss may or may not be recovered, and further losses on the outstanding purchase commitments could be recorded in future periods.

The Company recorded inventory valuation impairments of $39,893 and $0 for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The impairments, as applicable, were attributable primarily to decreases in market prices of ethanol. The inventory valuation impairment was recorded in “Lower of cost or market adjustment” on the statement of operations.

4. BANK FINANCING
As of
 
March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
Notes payable under loan agreement to bank
 
$
20,042,392

 
$
25,116,771

Subordinated notes payable
 

 
5,525,000

Capital lease obligations (Note 6)
 
182,536

 
276,084

Total Long-Term Debt
 
20,224,928

 
30,917,855

Less amounts due within one year
 
2,178,829

 
30,831,502

Total Long-Term Debt Less Amounts Due Within One Year
 
$
18,046,099

 
$
86,353

 
 
 
 
 
Market value of interest rate swaps
 
$
195,959

 
$
827,887

Less amounts due within one year
 
195,959

 
827,887

Total Interest Rate Swaps Less Amounts Due Within One Year
 
$

 
$



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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

Scheduled maturities for the twelve months ending March 31
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Long-term debt
 
Totals
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2013
 
$
195,959

 
$
2,178,829

 
$
2,374,788

2014
 

 
2,003,707

 
2,003,707

2015
 

 
2,000,000

 
2,000,000

2016
 

 
2,000,000

 
2,000,000

2017
 

 
2,000,000

 
2,000,000

Thereafter
 

 
10,042,392

 
10,042,392

Total
 
$
195,959

 
$
20,224,928

 
$
20,420,887


The scheduled maturities shown above are consistent with the repayment terms of amended and restated loan agreement executed by the Company on April 16, 2012.

As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants.

Interest Rate Swap Agreements

In December 2005, the Company entered into an interest rate swap transaction that effectively fixed the interest rate at 8.08% on the outstanding principal of the Fixed Rate Note, which is included in the total under notes payable under loan agreement to bank above.

The interest rate swaps were not designated as either a cash flow or fair value hedge. Fair value adjustments and net settlements are recorded in interest expense within the statement of operations.

Interest Expense
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2012(unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
Interest expense on long-term debt
 
$
(14,617
)
 
$
531,630

 
$
461,719

 
$
1,093,415

Interest Rate Swaps
 
3,323

 
25,738

 
1,786

 
34,954

Total interest expense
 
$
(11,294
)
 
$
557,368

 
$
463,505

 
$
1,128,369



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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The following table provides information on those assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Carrying Amount as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Fair Value as of March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodities derivative instruments
$
1,350,000

 
$
1,350,000

 
$
1,350,000

 
$

 
$

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
$
195,959

 
$
195,959

 
$

 
$
195,959

 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurement Using
 
Carrying Amount as of September 30, 2011
 
Fair Value as of September 30, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodities derivative instruments
$
21,062

 
$
21,062

 
$
21,062

 
$

 
$

Interest rate swaps
827,887

 
827,887

 

 
827,887

 

Total
$
848,949

 
$
848,949

 
$
21,062

 
$
827,887

 
$


The fair value of the corn, ethanol and soybean oil derivative instruments are based on quoted market prices in an active market. The fair value of the interest rate swap instruments are determined by using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each instrument. The analysis of the interest rate swaps reflect the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity and uses observable market-based inputs and uses the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts and the discounted expected variable cash payments. The variable cash payments are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves.

Financial Instruments Not Measured at Fair Value

The estimated fair value of the Company's long-term debt, including the short-term portion, at March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011 approximated the carrying value of approximately $20.2 and $30.9 million, respectively. Fair value was estimated using estimated variable market interest rates as of March 31, 2012. The fair values and carrying values consider the terms of the related debt and exclude the impacts of debt discounts and derivative/hedging activity.

6. LEASES

The Company leases equipment under operating and capital leases through June 2015. The Company is generally responsible for maintenance, taxes, and utilities for leased equipment. Equipment under operating lease includes a locomotive and rail cars. Rent expense for operating leases was approximately $155,000 and $374,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012, respectively and $141,000 and $276,000 for the three and six months ended March 31, 2011, respectively. Equipment under capital leases consists of office equipment and plant equipment.


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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

Equipment under capital leases is as follows at:
As of
March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
Equipment
$
483,217

 
$
483,217

Less accumulated amortization
(16,032
)
 
(5,839
)
Net equipment under capital lease
$
467,185

 
$
477,378


At March 31, 2012, the Company had the following minimum commitments, which at inception had non-cancelable terms of more than one year. Amounts shown below are for the 12 months period ending March 31:

 
Operating Leases
 
Capital Leases
2013
$
466,020

 
$
184,616

2014
104,460

 
3,354

2015
81,935

 
559

2016

 

Thereafter

 

Total minimum lease commitments
$
652,415

 
188,529

Less amount representing interest
 
 
(5,993
)
Present value of minimum lease commitments included in liabilities on the balance sheet
 
 
$
182,536


7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Firm Purchase Commitments for Corn

To ensure an adequate supply of corn to operate the Plant, the Company enters into contracts to purchase corn from local farmers and elevators. At March 31, 2012, the Company had various fixed price contracts for the purchase of approximately 3.6 million bushels of corn. Using the stated contract price for the fixed price contracts, the Company had commitments of approximately $23.3 million related to the 3.6 million bushels under contract.

Construction in progress

The Company had construction in progress of approximately $126,000 at March 31, 2012 relating to three capital projects: replacement of the plant's bin sweeps, construction of a maintenance cold storage building, and an upgrade of the plant's process computers. The Company anticipates that these projects will be completed during the third quarter of fiscal year 2012 for a total combined cost of approximately $350,000.

Real Estate Purchase Agreement

The Company entered into a purchase agreement for land adjacent to the plant site and had earnest money of $15,000 deposited towards that purchase at March 31, 2012. This additional land will allow the Company to expand its rail capacity and correspondingly ship and receive larger quantities of product. This purchase is scheduled to close in the third quarter of fiscal year 2012.
 
8. RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has balances and transactions in the normal course of business with various related parties for the purchase of corn, sale of distillers grains and sale of ethanol. The related parties include Unit holders, members of the board of governors of the Company, and RPMG, Inc. (“RPMG”). Significant related party activity affecting the financial statements are as follows:

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RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED MARCH 31, 2012

 
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
Balance Sheet
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
 
 
 
 
$
4,112,045

 
$
5,392,559

Accounts payable
 
 
 
 
750,014

 
757,460

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
For the three months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
For the six months ended March 31, 2011 (unaudited)
Statement of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
30,791,203

 
$
27,496,254

 
$
64,434,861

 
$
54,625,442

Cost of goods sold
524,298

 
659,979

 
1,228,026

 
1,567,663

General and administrative
30,333

 
29,173

 
56,578

 
29,173

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inventory Purchases
$
8,122,404

 
$
3,175,819

 
$
14,856,088

 
$
4,967,393


9. UNCERTAINTIES IMPACTING THE ETHANOL INDUSTRY AND OUR FUTURE OPERATIONS

The Company has certain risks and uncertainties that it experiences during volatile market conditions, which can have a severe impact on operations. The Company's revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of ethanol and distillers grains to customers primarily located in the U.S. Corn for the production process is supplied to the plant primarily from local agricultural producers and from purchases on the open market. The Company's operating and financial performance is largely driven by prices at which the Company sells ethanol and distillers grains and by the cost at which it is able to purchase corn for operations. The price of ethanol is influenced by factors such as prices, supply and demand, weather, government policies and programs, and unleaded gasoline and the petroleum markets, although since 2005 the prices of ethanol and gasoline began a divergence with ethanol selling for less than gasoline at the wholesale level. Excess ethanol supply in the market, in particular, puts downward pressure on the price of ethanol. The Company's largest cost of production is corn. The cost of corn is generally impacted by factors such as supply and demand, weather, government policies and programs. The Company's risk management program is used to protect against the price volatility of these commodities.

The Company anticipates that the results of operations into fiscal 2012 will continue to be affected by volatility in the commodity markets. The volatility is due to various factors, including uncertainty with respect to the availability and supply of corn, increased demand for grain from global and national markets, speculation in the commodity markets, and demand for corn from the ethanol industry.

10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On April 16, 2012, the Company executed amended and restated loan agreements with its primary lender, First National Bank of Omaha ("FNBO"). The purpose of the amended and restated loan agreements were to extend the maturity date of the Company's current credit facilities, to adjust the interest rates payable pursuant to the Company's various credit facilities with FNBO and to change the amounts available under the Company's revolving loans. The Company's debt obligations with FNBO are classified on the Company's March 31, 2012 balance sheet consistent with the repayment terms of the refinance.





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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We prepared the following discussion and analysis to help you better understand our financial condition, changes in our financial condition, and results of operations for the three and six month periods ended March 31, 2012, compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed financial statements and notes and the information contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KT for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2011.

Forward Looking Statements

This report contains forward-looking statements that involve future events, our future performance and our future operations and actions.  In some cases you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "may," "should," "anticipate," "believe," "expect," "plan," "future," "intend," "could," "estimate," "predict," "hope," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are only our predictions and involve numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Our actual results or actions may differ materially from these forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the following factors:
 
Ÿ
Fluctuations in the price and market for ethanol and distillers grains;
 
Ÿ
Availability and costs of products and raw materials, particularly corn and coal;
 
Ÿ
Changes in the environmental regulations that apply to our plant operations and our ability to comply with such regulations;
 
Ÿ
Ethanol supply exceeding demand and corresponding ethanol price reductions impacting our ability to operate profitably and maintain a positive spread between the selling price of our products and our raw material costs;
 
Ÿ
Our ability to generate and maintain sufficient liquidity to fund our operations, meet debt service requirements and necessary capital expenditures;
 
Ÿ
Our ability to continue to meet our loan covenants;
 
Ÿ
Limitations and restrictions contained in the instruments and agreements governing our indebtedness;
 
Ÿ
Results of our hedging transactions and other risk management strategies;
 
Ÿ
Changes in or elimination of governmental laws, tariffs, trade or other controls or enforcement practices that currently benefit the ethanol industry including:
 
 
Ÿ national, state or local energy policy - examples include legislation already passed such as the
      California low-carbon fuel standard as well as potential legislation in the form of carbon cab and trade;
 
 
Ÿ federal and state ethanol tax incentives;
 
 
Ÿ legislation mandating the use of ethanol or other oxygenate additives;
 
 
Ÿ environmental laws and regulations that apply to our plant operations and their enforcement; or
 
 
Ÿ reduction or elimination of tariffs on foreign ethanol.
 
Ÿ
Changes and advances in ethanol production technology; and
 
Ÿ
Competition from alternative fuels and alternative fuel additives.

Available Information

Information about us is also available at our website at www.redtrailenergyllc.com , which includes links to reports we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The contents of our website are not incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview
 
Red Trail Energy, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company (the "Company," "Red Trail," or "we," "our," or "us"), owns and operates a 50 million gallon annual name-plate production ethanol plant near Richardton, North Dakota (the "Plant"). Our revenues are derived from the sale and distribution of our ethanol and distillers grains primarily in the continental United States.  Corn is our largest cost component and our profitability is highly dependent on the spread between the price of corn and the price of ethanol.

On April 16, 2012, the Company executed amended and restated loan agreements with its primary lender, First National Bank of Omaha ("FNBO"). The purpose of the amended and restated loan agreements were to extend the maturity date of the

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Company's current credit facilities, to adjust the interest rates payable pursuant to the Company's various credit facilities with FNBO and to change the amounts available under the Company's revolving loans. The Company's debt obligations with FNBO are classified on the Company's March 31, 2012 balance sheet consistent with the repayment terms of the refinance. For more information on our restructured credit agreements, please see the section below entitled " Capital Resources ."

In the last week of March 2012, we completed the installation of our corn oil extraction equipment. We performed startup and testing of the corn oil extraction equipment and produced a small amount of corn oil on a test basis which was included in inventory as of March 31, 2012. Corn oil will be an additional revenue source for us and we anticipate making our first corn oil sales during our third fiscal quarter of 2012.

Effective November 8, 2010, we executed a Mediated Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") with the firms that designed and built our ethanol plant in order to resolve certain issues related to the design of the plant, specifically related to the plant's fluidized bed combustor/boiler. The financial terms of the Agreement only were enforceable if and when the ethanol plant achieved certain emissions standards required by our environmental permits. We successfully completed the emissions testing and met the applicable standards during our quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
 
The following table shows the results of our operations and the percentages of revenues, cost of goods sold, general and administrative expenses and other items to total sales and revenues in our unaudited statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 :
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
March 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
Statement of Operations Data
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
$
37,123,717

 
100.00

 
$
31,953,093

 
100.00

Cost of Goods Sold
37,529,020

 
101.09

 
30,954,449

 
96.87

Gross Profit (Loss)
(405,303
)
 
(1.09
)
 
998,644

 
3.13

General and Administrative Expenses
574,223

 
1.55

 
676,755

 
2.12

Operating Income (Loss)
(979,526
)
 
(2.64
)
 
321,889

 
1.01

Other Income (Expense)
71,193

 
0.19

 
(471,146
)
 
(1.47
)
Net Loss
$
(908,333
)
 
(2.45
)
 
$
(149,257
)
 
(0.46
)
    
    

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The following table shows additional data regarding production and price levels for our primary inputs and products for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.
 
 
Three Months ended March 31, 2012 (unaudited)
 
Three Months ended
March 31, 2011
(unaudited)
Production:
 
 
 
 
  Ethanol sold (gallons)
 
14,308,806

 
11,374,611

  Dried distillers grains sold (tons)
 
26,951

 
21,449

  Modified distillers grains sold (tons)
 
28,499

 
20,713

Revenues:
 
 
 
 
  Ethanol average price per gallon
 
$
2.04

 
$
2.31

  Dried distillers grains average price per ton
 
189.97

 
169.78

  Modified distillers grains average price per ton
 
96.24

 
90.72

Primary Inputs:
 
 
 
 
  Corn ground (bushels)
 
5,274,723

 
4,073,559

Costs of Primary Inputs:
 
 
 
 
  Corn average price per bushel (net of hedging)
 
$
5.87

 
$
6.25

Other Costs:
 
 
 
 
  Chemical and additive costs per gallon of ethanol sold
 
$
0.081

 
$
0.103

  Denaturant cost per gallon of ethanol sold
 
0.050

 
0.047

  Electricity cost per gallon of ethanol sold
 
0.055

 
0.055

  Direct Labor cost per gallon of ethanol sold
 
0.040

 
0.044


Revenue

We experienced an increase in the gallons of ethanol sold in the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . We sold 14,308,806 gallons of ethanol during the three month period ended March 31, 2012 compared to 11,374,611 , for the same three month period ending in 2011 . The primary reason for this increase was due to mechanical difficulties at the plant in 2011 which required us to operate at a lower production rate. These mechanical difficulties were corrected during our maintenance shutdown in April 2011. The average price at which we sold our ethanol was $2.04 and $2.31 for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.

We experienced a corresponding increase in the amount of distillers grains sold in the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . We sold 26,951 and 21,449 tons of dried distillers grains during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. The average price per ton of dried distillers grains was $189.97 and $169.78 for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. We also sold 28,499 and 20,713 tons of modified distillers grains during the three month periods ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. The average price per ton of modified distillers grains was $96.24 and $90.72 for the three month periods ending March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively.

We also experienced a 29.5% increase in the amount of corn ground during the three month period ending March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . Our average price per bushel of corn ground, net of hedging, was $5.87 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 compared to $6.25 for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 .
    
For the three months ended March 31, 2012 , we received approximately 79% of our revenue from the sale of fuel ethanol and approximately 21% of our revenue from the sale of distillers grains. Our revenue from ethanol increased during the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 , primarily as a result of increased gallons of ethanol sold. During the three months ended March 31, 2012 , we experienced an increasing trend in the price we received for our ethanol. Higher ethanol prices have been met with historically high prices of corn which has placed pressure on our operating margins. If the price of ethanol and our revenues are outpaced by rising corn prices, management believes our operating margins will be pressured downward, which could significantly affect our liquidity.
    
Cost of Goods Sold

Our cost of goods sold from the production of ethanol and distillers grains is primarily made up of corn and energy expenses. Our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues was 101.1 % for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared

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to 96.9 % for the same period in 2011 . This increase in cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues was primarily the result of the decrease in the price we receive for our ethanol for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 .

Corn Costs

Competition for corn in our area has increased basis levels. Although we believe there is corn available nationally from a supply and demand standpoint, there is uncertainty over the amount, quantity, and quality of local corn for the plant. The cost of corn is the highest cost input to the plant and further increases in corn costs could dramatically affect our expected cost of goods sold. During the three month period ended March 31, 2012 , corn prices fluctuated significantly and we expect continued volatility in corn prices for the rest of our fiscal year which could impact our cost of goods sold.

In the ordinary course of business, we enter into forward purchase contracts for our commodity purchases and sales. At March 31, 2012 , we have forward corn purchase contracts for various delivery periods through December 2012 for a total commitment of approximately $23.3 million. Our outstanding corn derivatives are projected to settle by July 2012.

Coal Costs

We purchase the coal needed to power our ethanol plant from a supplier under a long-term contract. Our coal costs were up 14.5% during the three month period ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011, primarily due to increased ethanol production.

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were 1.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2012 compared to 2.1 % in the same period of 2011 . General and administrative expenses include salaries and benefits of administrative employees, insurance, taxes, professional fees and other general administrative costs. We experienced a decrease in actual general and administrative expenses of approximately $103,000 for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . Our efforts to optimize efficiencies and maximize production may result in a decrease in our general and administrative expenses on a per gallon basis going forward. However, because these expenses generally do not vary with the level of production at the plant, we expect our actual operating expenses to remain steady throughout the remainder of the 2012 fiscal year.

Operating Income/(Loss)

Our loss from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was approximately 2.6 % of our revenues compared to an operating loss of 1.0 % for the same period in 2011 . The decrease in our operating income for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 was primarily due to a lower average price received for ethanol per gallon sold during the 2012 period.

Other Income/Expense

Our other income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 was 0.2 % of our revenues compared to other expense of 1.5 % of revenues for the same period in 2011 . Our other income for the three month period ended March 31, 2012 consisted primarily of an interest expense reversal related to the financial terms of the Mediated Settlement Agreement between us and the plant's design/builder being triggered in March 2012. Our other expense for the three month period ended March 31, 2011 consisted primarily of interest expense.

Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011

The following table shows the results of our operations and the approximate percentage of revenues, costs of sales, operating expenses and other items to total revenues in our unaudited statements of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 :

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Six Months Ended
March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
Six Months Ended
March 31, 2011 (Unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Statement of Operations Data
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Revenues
$
74,550,717

 
100.00

 
$
62,706,054

 
100.00

Cost of Goods Sold
74,000,082

 
99.26

 
56,819,838

 
90.61

Gross Profit
550,635

 
0.74

 
5,886,216

 
9.39

General and Administrative Expenses
1,249,530

 
1.68

 
1,768,302

 
2.82

Operating Income (Loss)
(698,895
)
 
(0.94
)
 
4,117,914

 
6.57

Other Income (Expense)
1,411,312

 
1.89

 
(983,449
)
 
(1.57
)
Net Income
$
712,417

 
0.95

 
$
3,134,465

 
5.00


The following table shows additional data regarding production and price levels for our primary inputs and products for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 :

 
 
Six Months ended
March 31, 2012
(unaudited)
 
Six Months ended
March 31, 2011
(unaudited)
Production:
 
 
 
 
  Ethanol sold (gallons)
 
26,841,510

 
23,405,537

  Dried distillers grains sold (tons)
 
54,179

 
49,938

  Modified distillers grains sold (tons)
 
46,195

 
35,748

Revenues:
 
 
 
 
  Ethanol average price/gallon (net of hedging)
 
$
2.23

 
$
2.23

  Dried distillers grains price/ton
 
191.09

 
151.69

  Modified distillers grains price/ton
 
96.13

 
82.19

Primary Input:
 
 
 
 
  Corn ground (bushels)
 
9,917,976

 
8,479,241

Costs of Primary Input:
 
 
 
 
  Corn avg price/bushel (net of hedging)
 
$
6.19

 
$
5.41

Other Costs (per gallon of ethanol sold):
 
 
 
 
  Chemical and additive costs
 
$
0.087

 
$
0.097

  Denaturant cost
 
0.048

 
0.046

  Electricity cost
 
0.054

 
0.047

  Direct Labor cost
 
0.045

 
0.045


Revenue

In the six month period ended March 31, 2012 , ethanol sales comprised approximately 80% of our revenues and distillers grains sales comprised approximately 20% of our revenues. For the six month period ended March 31, 2011 , ethanol sales comprised approximately 83% of our revenues and distillers grains sales comprised approximately 17% of our revenues. Our ethanol revenue as a percent of total revenues declined in 2012 primarily due to substantially more revenue we received from our sales of distillers grains.

The average ethanol sales price we received for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 was flat when compared to the same period in 2011 . Management anticipates that ethanol prices will continue to be subject to influences from the prices of oil and gasoline along with the uncertainties surrounding several pieces of legislation which support the ethanol industry.

The price we received for our dried distillers grains increased by approximately 26% during the six month period ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period of 2011 . The price of dried distillers grains changes in proportion to the price of corn, which has increased in the six month period ended March 31, 2012 . Accordingly, we anticipate that the market price of distillers grains will continue to be volatile as a result of changes in the price of corn and competing animal feed substitutes such as soybean meal.

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Cost of Good Sold
    
Our costs of goods sold as a percentage of revenues were approximately 99% for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 compared to approximately 91% for the same period of 2011 . Our cost of goods sold increased by approximately 30% in the six months ended March 31, 2012 , compared to the six months ended March 31, 2011 , and our revenue for the same period increased by approximately 19%. This increase in the cost of goods sold is primarily a result of an increase in the cost of corn processed at our facility combined with increased production for the comparable periods. The increase in our revenues is due primarily to an increase in the gallons of ethanol sold in the 2012 period combined with an increase of approximately 40% in revenue from sales of distillers grains.

General and Administrative Expenses

Our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues were lower for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 than they were for the same period ended March 31, 2011 . These percentages were approximately 1.7% and approximately 2.8% for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 , respectively. We experienced a decrease in actual general and administrative expenses of approximately $519,000 for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . This decrease is primarily related to lower management fees paid in 2012. Our efforts to optimize efficiencies and maximize production may result in a decrease in our general and administrative expenses on a per gallon basis. However, because these expenses generally do not vary with the level of production at the plant, we expect our operating expenses to remain steady throughout the remainder of the 2012 fiscal year.

Operating Income (Loss)

Our loss from operations for the six months ended March 31, 2012 was approximately 0.9% of our revenues compared to income of approximately 6.6% of our revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2011 . This decrease in our profitability is primarily due to our cost of goods sold as a percentage of revenues being higher for the six months ended March 31, 2012 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2011 . During the same period we experienced approximately a 14% per bushel increase in our cost of corn (net of hedging).
  
Other Income/Expense

Other income for the six months ended March 31, 2012 , was approximately 1.9% of our revenue and totaled approximately $1.4 million. Other expense for the six months ended March 31, 2011 totaled $983,449 and was approximately 1.6% of our revenues. The increase in net other income/expense is primarily due to recognition of approximately $1.7 million of income from the alternative fuel tax credit and a decrease in interest expense of approximately $665,000.

Changes in Financial Condition for the Six Months Ended March 31, 2012

Current Assets . Our accounts receivable were lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily due to the majority of our receivables being sales of ethanol which was at a lower price per gallon in 2012 compared to 2011 . Our other receivables were also lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011, primarily due to expiration on December 31, 2011 of a refundable alternative fuel tax credit which we had previously been eligible to receive. The value of our inventory was slightly lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily because ethanol prices were lower at March 31, 2012 . Our inventory is valued at the lesser of our cost associated with our inventory or the market value of our inventory. When corn and ethanol prices increase or decrease, it results in a larger or smaller value being attributed to our inventory, even if the amount of ethanol and corn that we are holding in inventory is comparable. The market value of our commodities derivatives account was higher at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 because we had significantly more commodity options in place at March 31, 2012 than at September 30, 2011. Our prepaid expenses were lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily due to the timing of a payment for maintenance performed during our shutdown in October 2011.

Property, Plant and Equipment . The gross value of our property, plant and equipment was lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily due to an adjustment to the original cost basis of our coal fired system. This adjustment was pursuant to the terms of a Mediated Settlement Agreement entered into in November 2010 between us and the plant's design/builder with the financial terms of the agreement being triggered in March 2012. This adjustment was offset by capital expenditures related to placing our water filtration project in service, the purchase of employee housing, and placing our corn oil extraction system in service. The net value of our property, plant and equipment was lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily as a result of the adjustment to the basis of our coal fired system as discussed and also due to increases in our accumulated depreciation. The decrease in our construction in progress at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 was primarily due to placing our water filtration system into service.

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Other Assets . Our other assets were lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 primarily due to earnest money being released relating to the Company's purchase of a residence for employee housing. This decrease was somewhat offset by a deposit made on possible lease financing for our corn oil extraction system.

Current Liabilities . Our current liabilities were significantly lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 , primarily due to our primary bank debt with First National Bank of Omaha ("FNBO") being classified as fully current at September 30, 2011 and classified as both current and long-term at March 31, 2012 due to the refinance closing in April 2012. Loss on firm purchase commitments was also higher at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 due to certain contract prices entered into being higher than market prices as of March 31, 2012. Accounts payable was also significantly lower at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011, primarily due to resolution of the dispute between us and the plant's design/builder which included certain amounts originally held back by us and resolved per the terms of the November 2010 Mediated Settlement Agreement with the design/builder being triggered in March 2012.

Long-term Liabilities . Our long-term liabilities were significantly higher at March 31, 2012 compared to September 30, 2011 , primarily due to our primary bank debt with FNBO being classified as a current liability as of September 30, 2011 and classified as both current and long-term at March 31, 2012 due to the refinance closing in April 2012.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Based on financial forecasts performed by our management, we anticipate that we will have sufficient cash from our current credit facilities and cash from our operations to continue to operate the ethanol plant for the next 12 months. Should we experience unfavorable operating conditions in the future, we may have to secure additional debt or equity sources for working capital or other purposes.
    
The following table shows cash flows for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 :
 
 
2012
(unaudited)
 
2011
(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities
 
$
4,306,813

 
$
656,725

Net cash used in investing activities
 
(1,895,707
)
 
(984,265
)
Net cash used in financing activities
 
(6,692,927
)
 
(3,247,326
)
Net decrease in cash
 
$
(4,281,821
)
 
$
(3,574,866
)
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
 
$
391,176

 
$
3,185,949


Cash Flow from Operations

Cash provided by operating activities was $ 4,306,813 for the six months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $ 656,725 cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2011 . Our net income from operations for the six months ended March 31, 2012 was $712,417 as compared to net income of $3,134,465 for the same period in 2011 . In addition to the difference in net income, we also had much lower depreciation expense in 2012 compared to 2011.

Cash Flow From Investing Activities

We experienced an increase in cash used in investing activities for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 compared to the same period in 2011 . Cash used in investing activities was $ 1,895,707 for the six months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $ 984,265 for the same period in 2011 . All of the cash used in investing activities in both 2012 and 2011 was for capital expenditures.
    
Cash Flow from Financing Activities

We had an increase in cash used for financing activities for the six month period ended March 31, 2012 as compared to the same period in 2011 . Cash used for financing activities was $ 6,692,927 for the six months ended March 31, 2012 which included an additional principal payment on the Company's bank debt of $3,300,000 made at the discretion of the Company. We also made a principal payment of $1,525,000 in 2012 on our subordinated debt.


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Our liquidity, results of operations and financial performance will be impacted by many variables, including the market price for commodities such as, but not limited to, corn, ethanol and other energy commodities, as well as the market price for any co-products generated by the facility and the cost of labor and other operating costs.  Assuming future relative price levels for corn, ethanol and distillers grains remain consistent, we expect operations to generate adequate cash flows to maintain operations.

Capital Expenditures
 
The Company had three capital projects in progress with approximately $126,000 incurred as of March 31, 2012. One of these projects is installation of new bin sweeps in the plant's corn silos. Completion of this project is dependent on corn inventory levels in the silos and we expect this project to be completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Another capital capital project is construction of a maintenance storage building. We anticipate completion of this building in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The third project is an upgrade to our plant's process computer system. We also anticipate this project to be completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The projected total costs for these three projects is $350,000. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company placed in service approximately $1.6 million for capital projects with the majority of these costs related to installation of a corn oil extraction system.

Capital Resources
 
Short-Term Debt Sources
 
The Company had a revolving line-of-credit of $7,000,000 with no amounts drawn on this line-of-credit as of March 31, 2012. This revolving line-of-credit was refinanced in April 2012 at a reduced amount of $5,000,000 and matures in April 2013. The interest rate at refinance is 3.5% over the one-month LIBOR resulting in an initial interest rate of 3.75%, reset monthly.
 
Long-Term Debt Sources

Our primary debt instruments with FNBO included fixed and variable rate notes at March 31, 2012. These debt instruments were refinanced in April 2012 with only variable rate notes.

The following table summarizes our long-term debt instruments with FNBO.
   
 
Outstanding Balance (Millions)
 
Interest Rate
 
Range of 
Estimated
 
 
Term Note
 
March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
 
March 31, 2012 (Unaudited)
 
September 30, 2011
 
Quarterly 
Principal
Payment Amounts
 
Notes
Fixed Rate Note
 
$
17.0

 
$
18.3

 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
$500,000
 
1, 2, 3
2007 Fixed Rate Note
 
3.0

 
6.8

 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
Included above
 
1, 2, 3
Long-Term Revolving Note
 

 

 
6.00
%
 
6.00
%
 
$125,000
 
1, 2, 3, 4
 
Notes

1 - Refinanced in April 2012 with a new maturity date of April 2017.

2 - Range of estimated quarterly principal payments is based on terms of the refinance which occurred in April 2012.

3 - Interest rate at March 31, 2012 was 4.0% over the three-month LIBOR with a 6% minimum, reset quarterly. Interest rate at refinance was 3.5% over the three-month LIBOR resulting in an initial interest rate of 3.97%, reset quarterly.

4 - Funds withheld from the plant's design builder (approx $4,100,000) were applied to the Long-Term Revolving Note in March 2010 and correspondingly restricted by the Bank. These funds were released by the Bank in March 2012 pursuant to the Company meeting the requirements of the Required Emissions Test as defined in the Mediated Settlement Agreement with the design builder. At March 31, 2012, the Company had no outstanding balance and approximately $3,300,000 available on this note. Upon refinance, the total available was increased to $5,000,000, maturing in April 2017, with required quarterly reductions in total available/principal payments of $125,000.

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Interest Rate Swap Agreements

In December 2005, we entered into an interest rate swap transaction that effectively fixed the interest rate at 8.08% on the outstanding principal of the Fixed Rate Note. In December 2007, we entered into a second interest rate swap transaction that effectively fixed the interest rate at 7.695% on the outstanding principal of the December 2007 Fixed Rate Note. The Company terminated the second swap agreement in December 2011. Upon termination of the swap agreement, approximately $3.0 million of the Company's debt was subject to the interest rate terms as described in the table above as of March 31, 2012.

Subordinated Debt

As part of our construction loan agreement, we entered into three separate subordinated debt agreements totaling $5,525,000 and received funds from these debt agreements during 2006. Interest is charged at a rate of 2.0% over the Variable Rate Note interest rate (a total of 8% at March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011). Per the terms of the Mediated Settlement Agreement (the "Agreement") the Company entered into in November 2010 with two parties holding subordinated debt agreements with the Company, interest on $4,000,000 of the subordinated debt continued to accrue subsequent to the date of the Agreement but was only due and payable if we failed to pass the Qualified Emissions Test (the "Test") as defined in the Agreement. The Company met the requirements of the Test in March 2012 and correspondingly realized a reversal of accrued interest expense. This reversal is reflected within interest expense on our Statements of Operations for the period ending March 31, 2012. The Agreement also provided for various transactions between the Company and the two parties which resulted in satisfaction and release of the $4,000,000 of subordinated debt with the two parties. The remaining $1,525,000 of subordinated debt was also satisfied and released in March 2012. The balance outstanding on all subordinated debt was $0 and $5,525,000 as of March 31, 2012 and September 31, 2011.

Letters of Credit

We issued two letters of credit in 2009 in conjunction with the issuance of certain grain warehouse and distilled spirits bonds. The letters of credit were issued in the amount of $500,000 and $250,000, respectively. The letters of credit are subject to a 2.0% quarterly commitment fee. The letters of credit were outstanding at March 31, 2012. Both letters of credit were released in April 2012 and our current bond holder no longer requires the letters of credit as collateral for the referenced bonds.

Restrictive Covenants

We are subject to a number of covenants and restrictions in connection with our credit facilities, including:

Providing FNBO with current and accurate financial statements;
Maintaining certain financial ratios including minimum working capital and fixed charge coverage ratio;
Maintaining adequate insurance;
Making, or allowing to be made, any significant change in our business or tax structure; and
Limiting our ability to make distributions to members.
Maintain a threshold of capital expenditures

As of March 31, 2012 we are in compliance with our loan covenants.

Industry Support
 
North Dakota Grant

In 2006, we entered into a contract with the State of North Dakota through the Industrial Commission for a lignite coal grant not to exceed $350,000. We received $275,000 from this grant during 2006 with this amount currently shown in the long-term liability section of our Balance Sheet as Contracts Payable. Because we have not met the minimum lignite usage requirements specified in the grant for any year in which the plant has operated, we expect to have to repay the grant and are awaiting instructions from the Industrial Commission as to the terms of the repayment schedule. This repayment could begin at some point in 2012, but as of March 31, 2012 we have not received any instructions from the Industrial Commission.

Critical Accounting Estimates
 
Our most critical accounting policies, which are those that require significant judgment, include policies related to the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment; valuation of derivatives, inventory and purchase commitments of inventory.  An in-depth description of these can be found in our Annual Report on Form 10-KT for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.  For

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valuation allowances related to firm purchase commitments of inventory, please refer to the disclosures in Note 3 of the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report.  Management has not changed the method of calculating and using estimates and assumptions in preparing our condensed financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  There have been no changes in the policies for our accounting estimates for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

We are exposed to the impact of market fluctuations associated with interest rates and commodity prices as discussed below. We have no exposure to foreign currency risk as all of our business is conducted in U.S. Dollars. We use derivative financial instruments as part of an overall strategy to manage market risk. We use cash, futures and option contracts to hedge changes to the commodity prices of corn, ethanol and natural gas. We do not enter into these derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor do we designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes pursuant to the requirements of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). 

Commodity Price Risk
 
We expect to be exposed to market risk from changes in commodity prices.  Exposure to commodity price risk results from our dependence on corn in the ethanol production process and the sale of ethanol.
 
We enter into fixed price contracts for corn purchases on a regular basis.  It is our intent that, as we enter into these contracts, we will use various hedging instruments (puts, calls and futures) to maintain a near even market position.  For example, if we have 1 million bushels of corn under fixed price contracts we would generally expect to enter into a short hedge position to offset our price risk relative to those bushels we have under fixed price contracts.  Because our ethanol marketing company (RPMG) is selling substantially all of the gallons it markets on a spot basis we also include the corn bushel equivalent of the ethanol we have produced that is inventory but not yet priced as bushels that need to be hedged.
 
Although we believe our hedge positions will accomplish an economic hedge against our future purchases, they are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes, which would match the gain or loss on our hedge positions to the specific commodity purchase being hedged.  We use fair value accounting for our hedge positions, which means as the current market price of our hedge positions changes, the gains and losses are immediately recognized in our cost of sales.  The immediate recognition of hedging gains and losses under fair value accounting can cause net income to be volatile from quarter to quarter and year to year due to the timing of the change in value of derivative instruments relative to the cost of the commodity being hedged.  However, it is likely that commodity cash prices will have the greatest impact on the derivatives instruments with delivery dates nearest the current cash price.
 
As of March 31, 2012 we had approximately 3.6 million bushels of corn under fixed price contracts.  Some of these contracts were priced above current market prices so an accrual for a loss on firm purchase commitments of $677,000 was recorded.
 
It is the current position of our ethanol marketing company, RPMG, that under current market conditions selling ethanol in the spot market will yield the best price for our ethanol.  RPMG will, from time to time, contract a portion of the gallons they market with fixed price contracts.  
 
We estimate that our expected corn usage will be between 18 million and 20 million bushels per calendar year for the production of approximately 50 million to 54 million gallons of ethanol.  As corn prices move in reaction to market trends and information, our income statements will be affected depending on the impact such market movements have on the value of our derivative instruments.
 
To manage our coal price risk, we entered into a coal purchase agreement with our supplier to supply us with coal, fixing the price at which we purchase coal. If we are unable to continue buying coal under this agreement, we may have to buy coal in the open market.


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Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our senior debt which bears variable interest rates. We anticipate that a hypothetical 1% change in the interest rate on our senior debt, from the refinance rate in effect on April 16, 2012, would cause an adverse change to our income in the amount of approximately $200,000.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures.  The term "disclosure controls and procedures," as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d - 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange Act"), as amended, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") rules and forms.  Disclosure controls and procedures also include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company's management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2012, have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed is included in the reports that we file with the SEC.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Management does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that objectives of the control systems are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, no evaluation of internal controls over financial reporting can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected or will be detected.

These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake.  Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls is based in part on certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.  Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks.  Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies and procedures.

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

From time to time in the ordinary course of business, we may be named as a defendant in legal proceedings related to various issues, including without limitation, workers' compensation claims, tort claims, or contractual disputes. We are not currently involved in any material legal proceedings.


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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully read and consider the risks and uncertainties below and the other information contained in this report. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones we may face. The following risks, together with additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial could impair our financial condition and results of operation.

Risks Relating to Our Business

The Federal Volumetric Ethanol Excise Tax Credit ("VEETC") expired on December 31, 2011 and its absence could negatively impact our profitability . The ethanol industry has historically been benefited by VEETC which is a federal excise tax credit of 45 cents per gallon of ethanol blended with gasoline. This excise tax credit expired on December 31, 2011. It is unclear exactly how the absence of this tax credit will affect the ethanol market but it could negatively impact the price we receive for our ethanol and could negatively impact our profitability.

The Secondary Tariff on Imported Ethanol was eliminated in December 2011, and its absence could negatively impact our profitability The secondary tariff on imported ethanol was allowed to expire in December 2011. Accordingly, it is possible that we could see an increase in ethanol produced in foreign countries being marketed in the Untied States which could negatively impact our profitability. The secondary tariff on imported ethanol was a 54 cent per gallon tariff on ethanol imports from certain foreign countries. If market prices make importing ethanol to the United States profitable for foreign producers, we could see an influx of imported ethanol on the domestic ethanol market which could have a significant negative impact on domestic ethanol prices and our profitability.

Increases in the price of corn may reduce our probitability. Our results of operations and financial condition are significantly affected by the price and supply of corn. Changes in the price and supply of corn are subject to and determined by market forces over which we have little control. Ethanol production requires substantial amounts of corn. Generally, higher corn prices will produce lower profit margins and, therefore, negatively impact our financial performance. If a period of high corn prices were to be sustained for some time, such pricing may reduce our ability to generate income because of the higher cost of operating our plant. This may make ethanol production unprofitable. We may not be able to offset any increase in the price of corn by increasing the price of our products. If we cannot offset increases in the price of corn, our financial performance may be materially and adversely affected.

The prices of ethanol and distillers grains may decline as a result of antidumping and antisubsidy investigations being conducted by foreign countries with respect to ethanol and distillers grains originating in the United States. An increasing amount of our industry's products are being exported. If producers and exporters of ethanol and distillers grains are subjected to trade barriers when selling products to foreign customers there may be a reductions in the price of these products in the United States. Declines in the price we receive for our products will lead to decreased revenues and may result in our inability to operate the ethanol plant profitably.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
    
None.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.


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Item 6. Exhibits.

(a)
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibits
10.1

 
First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement between First National Bank of Omaha and Red Trail Energy, LLC dated April 16, 2012.*
31.1

 
Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
31.2

 
Certificate Pursuant to 17 CFR 240.13a-14(a)*
32.1

 
Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
32.2

 
Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350*
101

 
The following financial information from Red Trail Energy, LLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and September 30, 2011, (ii) Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, (iii) Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, and (iv) the Notes to Condensed Financial Statements.**

(*)    Filed herewith.
(**)    Furnished herewith.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 11, 2012
 
/s/ Gerald Bachmeier
 
 
 
Gerald Bachmeier
 
 
 
President and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
Date:
May 11, 2012
 
/s/ Kent Anderson
 
 
 
Kent Anderson
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

26








FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT


dated as of


April 16 , 2012


among


RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC,


FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, as Agent and a Lender,


and



THE LENDERS PARTY HERETO






FIRST AMENDED AND RESTATED CONSTRUCTION LOAN AGREEMENT

This First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement is made as of April 16, 2012 by and among RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company ("Borrower"), FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, a national banking association ("First National"), in its capacity as a Lender hereunder, and in its capacity as collateral agent and administrative agent for the Lenders hereunder (in such capacity, the "Agent"), and the lenders from time to time party hereto as Lenders, such initial lenders being signatories to this Agreement.

WHEREAS, Borrower, First National and the lenders party thereto are parties to a Construction Loan Agreement dated as of December 16, 2005, as amended (as so amended and as in effect prior to the date hereof, the " Current Credit Agreement "), pursuant to which First National and the lenders party thereto have made the loans and financial accommodations provided for therein available to Borrower;

WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that the Current Credit Agreement be amended and restated on the terms and conditions set forth herein;

WHEREAS, it is intended that the indebtedness of Borrower under this Agreement be a continuation of the indebtedness of Borrower under the Current Credit Agreement; and

WHEREAS, under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Lenders have approved and are extending to Borrower a line of credit in the maximum principal amount of $5,000,000 (the “Revolving Credit Loan”), a Declining Revolving Credit Loan in the principal amount of $5,000,000 (the "Declining Revolving Credit Loan"), and a term loan in the principal amount of $20,000,000 (the "Term Loan").

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein set forth and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS

Section 1.01.     Definitions . For all purposes of this Agreement unless the context otherwise requires, the terms defined below shall have the respective meanings hereinafter specified.

Adjusted EBITDA ” means EBITDA less taxes, less capital expenditures and less Tax Distributions and other distributions permitted under this Agreement, in each case for the applicable reporting period, with adjustments to non-cash items as the Borrower and Agent may mutually agree to from time to time.

" Adjusted Libor Rate " means the Libor Rate determined in accordance with this Agreement plus the Applicable Margin at such time.

" Advance " means any loan or other credit extension under the Revolving Credit Loan.

" Agent " means the Agent identified in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement and any successor Agent appointed pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

" Agreement " means this First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, as amended, renewed, restated, replaced or otherwise modified from time to time.

" Agreement Year " has the meaning set forth in Section 2.01(b) of this Agreement.

" Applicable Margin " means, at any date, (a) in the case of Revolving Credit Loan Advances, 3.5%, (b) in the case of Declining Revolving Credit Loans, 3.5%, (c) in the case of the Term Loan, 3.5%, and (d) in the case of the Non-Use Fee, 0.5%.






" Applicable Rate " means the Adjusted Libor Rate.

" Borrowing " means a borrowing by Borrower pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents, whether evidenced by or arising under Loans or other advances.

" Borrowing Base " means, at any time, an amount equal to the sum of (without duplication):

(a)
75% of the Borrower's corn inventory valued at the lower of cost or Market Price on the date reported; plus

(b)
75% of the Borrower's Eligible Finished Goods-Ethanol, Corn Oil and Distiller's Grains Inventory (both wet and dry), valued at Market Price; plus

(c)
80% of the amount of the Borrower's Ethanol and Distillers Grains Eligible Accounts aged thirty (30) days or less, excluding any such accounts reasonably deemed ineligible by the Agent; plus

(d)
90% of Eligible Margin Account Equity; minus

(e)
100% of Debt outstanding under the Revolving Credit Loan, all deferred payments, grain drafts payable, delayed price contracts, accounts payable that have a Lien superior to Lenders' Liens or other expenses due on inputs, inventory or otherwise and 100% of the exposure under letters of credit issued for the account of Borrower.

If an item of Collateral could be included in the Borrowing Base under more than one subparagraph above, such item shall only be included in the Borrowing Base under the subparagraph that produces the lowest value for such item for purposes of the Borrowing Base.

" Borrowing Base Certificate " means a certificate to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.11(c) of this Agreement and substantially in the form of Exhibit E to this Agreement.

" Business Day " means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in Omaha, Nebraska and New York, New York are authorized or required to close, and, when used in conjunction with the Libor Rate, such day shall also be a London Banking Day.

" Closing Date " means the date of this Agreement, as reflected in the introductory paragraph hereof.

" Collateral " means all property (real and personal, tangible and intangible) of the Borrower with respect to which a security interest, assignment, mortgage or other Lien has been or is hereafter granted to or for the benefit of the Lenders. The term includes, but is not limited to, all property encumbered at any time pursuant to the Mortgage (subject to any limitation in any Mortgage which expressly limits the principal amount of the obligations secured thereby), all property encumbered at any time pursuant to the Security Agreements and the Control Agreements, the assignment, and consents thereto, of the Material Contracts, and the property pledged under any other Loan Documents. The term includes, but is not limited to, all "Collateral" referred to in the Current Credit Agreement and the loan documentation issued thereunder.

" Compliance Certificate " means a certificate required to be delivered pursuant to Section 4.11(f) of this Agreement and substantially in the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement.

" Control Agreements " means, collectively, the Security Agreement and Assignment of Hedging Accounts relating to the Borrower's Hedge Accounts with ADM Investor Services, Inc. and the Account Control Agreements among Borrower, Agent and ADM Investor Services, Inc. relating thereto; together with all amendments, renewals, restatements, replacements and other modifications of each of the foregoing agreements. Control Agreements includes,





without limitation, all control agreements entered into in connection with the Current Credit Agreement, which will remain in full force and effect.

" Daily Credit Balance " means, on any day, the aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans and all Declining Revolving Credit Loans outstanding at the end of such day.

" Debt " with respect to any Person means (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money or with respect to deposits or advances of any kind, (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or similar instruments, (c) all obligations of such Person upon which interest charges are customarily paid, (d) all obligations of such Person under conditional sale or other title retention agreements relating to property acquired by such Person, (e) all obligations of such Person in respect of the deferred purchase price of property or services (excluding current accounts payable incurred in the ordinary course of business), (f) all Debt of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any Lien on property owned or acquired by such Person, whether or not the Debt secured thereby has been assumed, (g) all guarantees by such Person of Debt of others, (h) all capital lease obligations (as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles) of such Person, (i) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person as an account party in respect of letters of credit and letters of guaranty, (j) all liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under plans covered by Title IV of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, (k) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of bankers' acceptances, (l) obligations under Financial Instrument Agreements and (m) obligations and exposure under letters of credit issued for the account of such Person. The Debt of any Person shall include the Debt of any other entity (including any partnership in which such Person is a general partner) to the extent such Person is liable therefor as a result of such Person's ownership interest in or other relationship with such entity, except to the extent the terms of such Debt provide that such Person is not liable therefor.
    
" Debt for Borrowed Money " means Debt of the types set forth in clauses (a), (b), (c), (l), (i) and (m) of the definition of "Debt" in this Section.

" Declining Revolving Credit Commitment " means, with respect to any Lender, the amount set opposite such Lender's name under the column entitled "Declining Revolving Credit Loan Commitments" on Exhibit A hereto.

" Declining Revolving Credit Loans " has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a)(ii) of this Agreement.

" Declining Revolving Credit Notes " has the meaning provided in Section 2.03(b) of this Agreement.

" Default " means any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or which with the giving of notice or the lapse of time or both would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

" Defaulting Lender " means any Lender that (a) has failed to advance to the Agent any portion of the Loans required to be funded by such Lender pursuant to this Agreement on the date required to be funded by such Lender pursuant to this Agreement and such failure is continuing on the date of determination, (b) has otherwise failed to pay over to the Agent any other amount required to be paid by such Lender under this Agreement or under any Loan Document within one (1) Business Day of the date when due, unless the subject of a good faith dispute and such failure is continuing on the date of determination, or (c) has been deemed insolvent, become the subject of a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding or had its assets and/or control frozen or seized by the applicable banking regulators or other governmental agency.

" EBITDA " means, for any period and determined in accordance with GAAP, an amount equal to (a) Net Income for such period, plus (b) to the extent deducted in determining Net Income for such period, the sum of (1) Interest Expense, (2) federal, state or local income tax expense, (3) depreciation and amortization and (4) all other non-cash charges, in each case for such period.

" Eligible Account " means an account owing to Borrower arising in the ordinary course of Borrower's business out of the sale of ethanol and/or distiller's grains in which the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders has a perfected first





priority security interest and which meets all of the following specifications at the time it came into existence and continues to meet the same until it is collected in full:

(a)
The account is due and payable no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the applicable invoice or other writing evidencing such account, and the account has been due and payable not more than thirty (30) days after the due date stated in the applicable invoice or other writing evidencing such account;

(b)
The account is not owing by an account debtor who has failed to pay twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the aggregate outstanding amount of its accounts owing to Borrower within thirty (30) days after the due date stated in the applicable invoices or other writings evidencing such accounts;

(c)
The account is due and payable from an account debtor located in the continental United States which is not a subsidiary or affiliate (under common ownership and/or control) of Borrower;

(d)
The account arose from a bona fide, outright sale of goods by Borrower or from the performance of services by Borrower and Borrower has possession of and will deliver to the Agent, if requested, shipping and delivery receipts evidencing shipment of the goods or inventory and, if representing services, receipts and/or invoices evidencing that the services have been fully performed for the respective account debtor;

(e)
The account is not subject to any Lien created by Borrower, or claimed under or through Borrower, except the security interest of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, and Borrower will not make any other assignment thereof or create any further security interest therein nor permit its or their rights therein to be reached by attachment, levy, garnishment or other judicial process;

(f)
The account is the valid and legally enforceable obligation of the account debtor thereunder and is not subject to any claim for credit, netting, set-off, allowance or adjustment by the account debtor or any counterclaim, and the account debtor has not returned any of the goods from the sale of which the account arose, nor has any partial payment been made thereon;

(g)
The account arose in the ordinary course of Borrower's business, and the account debtor has not filed bankruptcy, is not insolvent or no material adverse change in the financial condition of the account debtor has occurred;

(h)
The account is not owing by an account debtor who has died or dissolved or terminated its existence, the account debtor's business has not failed, the account debtor has not disappeared, a receiver has not been appointed for any part of the property of the account debtor, the account debtor has not made an assignment for the benefit of creditors or filed, or has had filed against it, a petition under or the commencement of any proceeding under any bankruptcy code or process;

(i)
The account is not evidenced by a judgment, an instrument or chattel paper;

(j)
The account debtor is not an employee of Borrower;

(k)
The account is not owing by any account debtor whose aggregate outstanding accounts with the Borrower exceed thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate of all accounts by all account debtors owing to the Borrower, provided, however, that thirty percent (30%) of the aggregate amount outstanding on such accounts will be deemed Eligible Accounts, and provided further that such threshold shall not apply to accounts owed to Borrower by any marketer under a Sales and Marketing Contract collaterally assigned to the Agent; and

(l)
The account or any portion thereof is acceptable to the Agent or is not otherwise deemed ineligible





by the Agent in its sole discretion.

An account which is at any time an Eligible Account but which subsequently fails to meet any of the foregoing requirements shall forthwith cease to be an Eligible Account. The Agent shall determine whether accounts qualify as Eligible Accounts from time to time in its sole and absolute discretion and any such determination shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes, absent manifest error.

Eligible Finished Goods - Ethanol, Corn Oil and Distiller's Grains Inventory ” means all ethanol, corn oil and distiller's grains (wet and dry) inventory of Borrower (i) that is owned by (and in the possession or under the control of) Borrower as of such date and is not consigned or covered by or subject to a seller's right to repurchase or any consensual or nonconsensual Lien (including, without limitation, purchase money Liens) in favor of any party other than the Agent, (ii) that is located at a facility owned by Borrower and listed in Schedule A of the Security Agreement defined below and is in Borrower's exclusive possession, (iii) that is in good and marketable condition, (iv) that meets all standards imposed by any governmental agency or department or division thereof having regulatory authority over such inventory, its use or sale, (v) that is either currently usable or currently saleable in the normal course of Borrower's business without any notice to, or consent of, any governmental agency or department or division thereof (excluding however, any such inventory that has been shipped to a customer of Borrower, even if on a consignment or “sale or return” basis), (vi) is not work-in-process, in transit, obsolete or slow-moving and (vii) no prepayment has been received for such inventory; provided that the Agent may at any time exclude from Eligible Finished Goods - Ethanol, Corn Oil and Distiller's Grains Inventory any type of ethanol, corn oil or distiller's grains inventory that the Agent reasonably determines to be unmarketable or ineligible in its sole discretion. The Agent shall have the right, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, to determine whether finished goods ethanol, corn oil and distiller's grains inventory is eligible for inclusion in the Borrowing Base at any particular time.

" Eligible Margin Account Equity " means the positive equity value in margin accounts maintained by Borrower with a broker for hedging and not speculative purposes and which have been collaterally assigned by Borrower to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, in which the Agent has a first priority security interest, as determined by the Agent in its good faith business judgment, and in which the broker has acknowledged in writing the security interest of the Agent therein and has agreed, to the Agent's satisfaction, that the Agent has "control" of such account for purposes of perfecting the Agent's security interest therein. Such equity value shall be determined by the Agent from the brokers' statements and shall be net of all losses.

" Excess Cash Flow " means Adjusted EBITDA, less scheduled payments on the Loans, in each case for the applicable reporting period.

" Event of Default " has the meaning set forth in Section 7.01 of this Agreement.

" Financial Instrument Agreements " means any agreements with respect to any transaction now existing or hereafter entered into among Borrower and a Lender or any of a Lender's subsidiaries or affiliates or their successors, or any other third party, which is a rate swap, basis swap, forward rate transaction, commodity swap, commodity option, equity or equity index swap, equity or equity index option, bond option, interest rate option, foreign exchange transaction, cap transaction, floor transaction, collar transaction, forward transaction, currency swap transaction, cross-currency rate swap transaction, currency option or any other similar transaction (including any option with respect to any of these transactions) or any combination thereof, whether linked to one or more interest rates, foreign currencies, commodity prices, equity prices or other financial measures; provided that such transaction is entered into by Borrower for hedging purposes and not speculation.

" Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio " means, for any period, the ratio of (a) Adjusted EBITDA to (b) Fixed Charges for such period.

" Fixed Charges " means, for any period, the sum of (a) scheduled principal on the Loans that is payable during such period, including, without limitation, (b) scheduled interest and other finance charges paid or payable with respect to the Loans, and (c) scheduled principal and interest payments on Subordinated Debt approved by the Agent that is





payable during such period.

GAAP ” means generally accepted accounting principles in the United States applied on a consistent basis and subject to the terms of Section 1.02.

Governmental Authority ” means the government of the United States of America, any other nation or any political subdivision thereof, whether state or local, and any agency, authority, instrumentality, regulatory body, court, central bank or other entity exercising executive, legislative, judicial, taxing, regulatory or administrative powers or functions of or pertaining to government.

Interest Expense ” means, for any period determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP, the sum of (i) total interest expense, including without limitation the interest component of any payments in respect of capital lease obligations capitalized or expensed during such period (whether or not actually paid during such period), plus (ii) the net amount payable (or minus the net amount receivable) under Financial Instrument Agreements related to interest rates during such period (whether or not actually paid or received during such period).

" Lender " and " Lenders " means each of the Lenders identified in the introductory paragraph of this Agreement, and any other person which may hereafter become a lender under this Agreement, and the successors and assigns of each of the foregoing.

LIBOR Rate ” means the London Interbank Offered Rate for U.S. Dollar deposits published in The Wall Street Journal as the Three (3) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and Term Loan and as the One (1) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan. The LIBOR Rate will be adjusted and determined without notice to the Borrower as set forth herein, as of the date of the Revolving Credit Notes, Declining Revolving Credit Notes and Term Notes, and on the first (1st) day of every third calendar month thereafter with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Notes and Term Notes and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter with respect to the Revolving Credit Notes (each such date, an “Interest Rate Change Date”) to the Three (3) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Notes and Term Notes and to the One (1) Month LIBOR Rate with respect to the Revolving Credit Notes, which is published in The Wall Street Journal as the reported rate for the date that is two London Banking Days prior to each Interest Rate Change Date. The published LIBOR Rate will be rounded upwards to the next higher one one hundredth (1/100th) of one percent (1%). If the initial Advance under the Revolving Credit Notes or the initial funding of the Declining Revolving Credit Notes or Term Notes occurs on any day other than the first London Banking Day of a month, the initial LIBOR Rate to be in effect until the beginning of the next succeeding month shall be that Three (3) Month LIBOR Rate or One (1) Month LIBOR Rate, as applicable, in effect on the date that is two London Banking Days prior to the first day of the month in which the Revolving Credit Notes, Declining Revolving Credit Notes and Term Notes are dated. If for any reason the LIBOR Rate published by The Wall Street Journal is no longer available and/or the Agent is unable to determine the LIBOR Rate for any Interest Rate Change Date, the Agent may, in its sole discretion, select an alternate source to determine the LIBOR Rate and will provide notice to Borrower and Lenders of the source selected. The LIBOR Rate determined as set forth above shall be referred to herein as the “Index”. The Index is not necessarily the lowest rate charged by Lenders on their loans. If the Index becomes unavailable during the term of the Loans, the Agent may designate a substitute index after notifying Borrower. The Agent will tell Borrower the current Index rate upon Borrower's request. The interest rate change will not occur more often than each month on the first (1st) day of each month with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan and once every three months on the first (1 st ) day of the applicable month with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan and Term Loan. Borrower understands that Lenders may make loans based on other rates as well. The Index for the one month LIBOR Rate currently is ___% per annum and the Index for the three month LIBOR Rate currently is ___% per annum.

" Lien " means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge, charge, assignment, security interest or other encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset.

" Loan Documents " means this Agreement, the Notes, the Security Agreement, the Control Agreements, the Mortgage, the assignments of the Material Contracts, an Assignment of Permits, the Subordination Agreement





referenced below and any documents relating to any letters of credit issued for the account of Borrower, Financial Instrument Agreements and all other documents, instruments and agreements executed and/or delivered in connection therewith at any time, all as the same may be amended, renewed, replaced, restated, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

" Loans " means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Loan and Advances thereunder, the Declining Revolving Credit Loans, the Term Loan and any letters of credit issued for the account of Borrower.

London Banking Day ” means any day other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which commercial banking institutions in London, England are generally open for business.

" Market Price " of any inventory means, at any time, the then-current market price of such inventory as reasonably determined by the Agent.

" Material Adverse Effect " means, with respect to any event, act, condition or occurrence of whatever nature (including any adverse determination in any litigation, arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding), whether singularly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts, condition or conditions, occurrence or occurrences whether or not related, a material adverse change in, or a material adverse effect on, (i) the business, operations, results of operations, financial condition, assets, Collateral or liabilities, of Borrower taken as a whole, (ii) the ability of Borrower to perform any of its obligations under the Loan Documents, (iii) the rights and remedies of the Agent and/or Lenders under any of the Loan Documents or (iv) the legality, validity or enforceability of any of the Loan Documents.

Material Contracts ” means (a) the Supply Contracts, Sales and Marketing Contracts, Transportation Contracts, Utility Contracts, (b) any other contract or any other agreement, written or oral, of Borrower involving monetary liability of or to any such person in an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) per year, and (c) any other contract or agreement, written or oral, of Borrower, the failure to comply with which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.

Material Indebtedness ” means Debt (other than the Loans) or obligations in respect of one or more Financial Instrument Agreements of Borrower in an aggregate principal amount exceeding $100,000.

" Maturity Date " means the earlier of April 16, 2017 or the date the Loans are accelerated pursuant to Section 6.02 or any other applicable provision of this Agreement, on which date the outstanding principal balance of the Term Loan together with all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable in full.

Maximum Availability ” has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a)(ii)(2) of this Agreement.

" Mortgage " means the First Amended and Restated Mortgage, Security Agreement, Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Financing Statement, dated of even date herewith given by the Borrower in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders, which creates a Lien against the Project and the other property described therein, and all amendments, restatements, renewals, replacements and other modifications of the foregoing.

" Mortgaged Property " has the meaning given to such term in the Mortgage.

Negative Termination Value ” means, with respect to any Financial Instrument Agreement of Borrower, the amount (if any) that Borrower would be required to pay if such Financial Instrument Agreement were terminated by reason of a default by or other termination event relating to Borrower, such amount to be determined on the basis of a good faith estimate made by the Agent, in consultation with Borrower. The Negative Termination Value of any such Financial Instrument Agreement at any date shall be determined (i) as of the end of the most recent fiscal quarter ended on or prior to such date if such Financial Instrument Agreement was then outstanding or (ii) as of the date such Financial Instrument Agreement is terminated. However, if an applicable agreement between Borrower and the relevant counterparty provides that, upon any such termination by such counterparty, one or more other Financial Instrument





Agreements (if any exist) between Borrower and such counterparty would also terminate and the amount (if any) payable by Borrower would be a net amount reflecting the termination of all the Financial Instrument Agreements so terminated, then the Negative Termination Value of all the Financial Instrument Agreements subject to such netting shall be, at any date, a single amount equal to such net amount (if any) payable by Borrower, determined as of the later of (i) the end of the most recently ended fiscal quarter or (ii) the date on which the most recent Financial Instrument Agreement subject to such netting was terminated.

Net Income ” means, for any period, the net income (or loss) of Borrower for such period determined in accordance with GAAP, but excluding therefrom (to the extent otherwise included therein) (a) any extraordinary gains or losses, (b) any gains attributable to write-ups of assets, (c) any equity interest in the un-remitted earnings of any Person that is not a subsidiary of Borrower, and (d) any income (or loss) of any Person accrued prior to the date it becomes a subsidiary of, or is merged into or consolidated with, Borrower on the date that such Person's assets are acquired by Borrower.

" Notes " means, collectively, the Revolving Credit Notes, the Declining Revolving Credit Notes and the Term Notes.

" Obligations " means, collectively, all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations whatsoever of Borrower to the Agent and/or the Lenders whether now existing or hereafter arising, regardless of the form the liability takes or its purpose, including, without limitation, overdrafts and deposit account liabilities and liabilities under any credit or purchasing cards of Borrower to the Agent and all indebtedness, liabilities and obligations under or in connection with this Agreement and/or any of the other Loan Documents, including without limitation, the principal of, and interest on, the Loans, all future advances thereunder, and all other amounts now or hereafter owing to the Lenders under this Agreement, the Notes, letters of credit or any of the other Loan Documents.

" Percentage " means, at any time, with respect to a Lender, in each case expressed as a percentage:

(a)
in the case of a Lender's obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such time;

(b)
in the case of a Lender's obligation to make Declining Revolving Credit Loans, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is such Lender's Declining Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment at such time;

(c)
in the case of the Term Loan, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is such Lender's Term Loan Commitment at such time, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Total Term Loan Commitment;

(d)
in the case of a Lender's right to receive payment of principal or interest with respect to its outstanding Loans, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is the amount of the unpaid principal balance of such Lender's Loans giving rise to such principal or interest payment, and (ii) the denominator of which the aggregate unpaid principal balance of all Loans giving rise to such principal or interest payment; and

(e)
in the case of a Lender's indemnification or similar obligations to the Agent under this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or in any other cases not addressed in clauses (a) though (c) above, a fraction (i) the numerator of which is such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment plus Declining Revolving Credit Commitment plus the outstanding balance of the Term Note payable to such Lender at such time, and (ii) the denominator of which is the Total Revolving Credit Commitment plus the Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment plus the aggregate outstanding principle balance of the Term Loan at such time (and the foregoing fraction shall be calculated without regard to whether such Lender or any other Lender has any commitment to make Revolving Credit Loans or Declining Revolving Credit Loans at such time).






Permits ” means all licenses, consents, approvals authorizations and permits of Governmental Authorities which Borrower is required to obtain in connection with the Project and operation of Borrower's business as contemplated following completion of the Project, including but not limited to any of the foregoing related to environmental laws (including an air emissions permit and a national pollution discharge elimination system construction permit, each of which will allow Borrower to operate its facilities at maximum capacity), zoning and land-use laws (including any requirement to obtain a special exception, if applicable), water use laws, waste disposal laws, laws requiring construction permits and occupancy certificates, and laws relating to construction and operation of above or below ground storage tanks.

" Permitted Debt " means: (a) Debt under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents; and (b) Debt incurred on or after the Closing Date in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $100,000 outstanding at any one time.

" Permitted Liens " has the meaning given to such term in Section 4.16 of this Agreement

" Person " means any natural person, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, association, company, partnership, governmental department or authority or other entity.

Project ” means the dry milling ethanol plant constructed on the Real Estate located in Stark County, North Dakota, capable of producing 50 million gallons of fuel grade ethanol per year, and related byproducts of dried, distillers grains with solubles, together with all necessary and appropriate fixtures, equipment, attachments, and accessories.

" Regulation D " means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as amended or supplemented from time to time.

Real Estate ” means the real property on which the Project is constructed and all other real property owned or leased by Borrower.

" Required Lenders " means nonaffiliated Lenders (other than a Defaulting Lender) having more than 51% of the outstanding aggregate principal balance of the Notes then outstanding other than to a Defaulting Lender.

" Revolving Credit Commitment " means, with respect to any Lender, the amount set opposite such Lender's name under the column entitled "Revolving Credit Loan -Commitment" on Exhibit A hereto.

" Revolving Credit Loans " has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a)(i) of this Agreement.

" Revolving Credit Notes " has the meaning provided in Section 2.03(a) of this Agreement.

Sales and Marketing Contracts ” means all agreements and contracts in effect presently and entered into from time to time hereafter which are material to the sale or disposal of products and by-products produced by Borrower including the marketing and sale of ethanol and distillers grains (“DDGS”), including that certain Ethanol Fuel Marketing Agreement dated June 25, 2010 between Borrower and RPMG, Inc., that certain Distiller's Grain Marketing Agreement dated March 10, 2008 between Borrower and CHS Inc. (which provides for the marketing and sale of DDGS and other products) and that certain Crude Corn Oil Purchase Agreement dated March 6, 2012 between Borrower and RPMG, Inc., as such agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

" Security Agreements " means the First Amended and Restated Security Agreement to be executed by the Borrower on or about the Closing Date in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and by which the Borrower shall grant to the Agent, as security for the Obligations, a security interest in all of Borrower's presently owned or hereafter acquired personal property, including without limitation, all of Borrower's inventory, equipment, other goods, accounts receivable, general intangibles, hedging accounts, deposit accounts and investment property, as the same may be amended, renewed, replaced, restated, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time.






Supply Contracts ” means all agreements and contracts related to the supply of inputs material to operation of Borrower's business in effect presently involving monetary liability of or to any such person in an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) per year, and entered into from time to time hereafter, as the same such agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemental or otherwise modified from time to time.

Tax Distributions ” means cash distributions to each or any of Borrower's members or limited or general partners in an amount equal to such member's or limited or general partner's estimated combined federal, state and local tax liability, after application of all available federal, state and local tax credits allocable to such members, in respect of Borrower's income, gain and/or earnings.

" Term Loan Commitment " means, with respect to any Lender, the amount set opposite such Lender's name under the column entitled "Term Loan -Commitment" on Exhibit A hereto.

" Term Notes " has the meaning provided in Section 2.01(a)(iii) of this Agreement.

" Termination Date " with respect to the Revolving Credit means April 15, 2013, with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit means April 16, 2017, and with respect to the Term Loan means the Maturity Date, or, in each case, the earlier date of termination in whole of the commitments pursuant to Section 6.02 or any other applicable provision of this Agreement, on which date the outstanding principal balance of the Loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest is due and payable in full.

" Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment " means, at any time, the sum of all Lenders' Declining Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

" Total Revolving Credit Commitment " means, at any time, the sum of all Lenders' Revolving Credit Commitments at such time.

" Total Term Loan Commitment " means, at any time, the sum of all Lenders' Term Loan Commitments at such time.

Transportation Contracts ” means all agreements and contracts in effect presently and entered into from time to time hereafter related to the provision of transportation or shipping services which are material to the operation of Borrower's business involving monetary liability of or to any such person in an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) per year, as the same such agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Utility Contracts ” means all contracts and agreements in effect presently and entered into from time to time hereafter which are material to the provision to Borrower of necessary electricity, coal, natural gas, water, fuel oil, coal and other energy resources in connection with the operation of Borrower's plant, equipment and offices involving monetary liability of or to any such person in an amount in excess of One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000.00) per year, including, but not limited to that certain Coal Sales Order dated December 16, 2011 between Borrower and Westmoreland Coal Sales Company as sales agent for Absaloka Coal LLC on behalf of Western Energy Company, as the same such agreements and contracts are amended, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

Working Capital ” means current assets at the time of determination (including, without limitation, the amount available to Borrower for drawing under the Declining Revolving Credit Loan at the time of determination, less the sum of (x) investments in or other amounts due from any member, manager, employee or any person or entity related to or affiliated with Borrower, other than amounts due to Borrower under a Sales and Marketing Agreement, (y) insurance prepayments (coal prepayments are permitted) and (z) current liabilities (all at the time of determination and without duplication).






Section 1.02.     General; Fiscal Year . All accounting terms not specifically defined herein shall be construed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, as in effect in the United States. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, all references to "dollars" or "$" are to United States dollars. "Including” (and with correlative meaning “include”) means including without limiting the generality of any description preceding such term. This Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be construed without regard to any presumption or rule requiring construction against the party causing any such document or any portion thereof to be drafted. The Section and other headings in this Agreement and any index in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms of this Agreement. Similarly, any page footers or headers or similar word processing, document or page identification numbers in this Agreement or any index or exhibit are for convenience of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect any of the terms of this Agreement, nor shall there be any requirement that any such footers or other numbers be consistent from page to page. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, any reference to a Section of this Agreement refers to all Sections and Subsections thereunder. Any pronoun used herein shall be deemed to cover all genders. Defined terms used in this Agreement may be set forth in Section 1.01 or other Sections of this Agreement, and all such definitions defined in the singular shall have a corresponding meaning when used in the plural and vice versa. Unless the context requires otherwise, references herein to "fiscal year" or "fiscal quarter" shall mean the fiscal year or fiscal quarter, as the case may be, of the Borrower.

ARTICLE II
AMOUNT AND TERMS OF LOANS

Section 2.01.     Commitments to Lend .

(a) The Revolving Credit Facility, the Declining Revolving Credit Facility and the Term Loan .

(i)     Revolving Credit Loans . Each Lender with a Revolving Credit Commitment (severally, but not jointly) agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make revolving credit loans (collectively, the " Revolving Credit Loans ") to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to the Business Day immediately preceding the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Credit Loan up to a maximum principal amount at any time outstanding equal to such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment at such time; provided, however, that no Lender shall be obligated to make a Revolving Credit Loan if: (1) the aggregate amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding exceeds, or would exceed if the requested Revolving Credit Loan were to be made, (1) the Total Revolving Credit Commitment, (2) the Borrowing Base at such time, (3) such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment, or (4) any Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the making of such Revolving Credit Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and re-borrow under the Revolving Credit Loans.

(ii)     Declining Revolving Credit Loans . Each Lender with a Declining Revolving Credit Commitment (severally, but not jointly) agrees, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, to make revolving credit loans (collectively, the " Declining Revolving Credit Loans ") to the Borrower from time to time from the Closing Date to the Business Day immediately preceding the Termination Date applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan up to a maximum principal amount at any time outstanding equal to such Lender's Declining Revolving Credit Commitment at such time; provided, however , that no Lender shall be obligated to make a Declining Revolving Credit Loan if: (1) the aggregate amount of all Declining Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding exceeds, or would exceed if the requested Declining Revolving Credit Loan were to be made, the Maximum Availability at such time; (2) such Lender's Revolving Credit Commitment or (3) any Default or Event of Default exists or would result from the making of such Declining Revolving Credit Loan. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Borrower may borrow, repay and re-borrow under the Declining Revolving Credit Loans up to the Maximum Availability at such time.

(1)    Initially, the maximum amount available to be borrowed on the Declining Revolving Credit is $5,000,000. Commencing on June 1, 2012 and quarterly thereafter on the dates indicated in the table below until the Termination Date of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan (each a “ Reduction Date ”), the maximum





amount available (the “ Maximum Availability ”) on the Declining Revolving Credit Loan shall decrease by $125,000.00. The Maximum Availability on each Reduction Date is shown in the following table:


REDUCTION DATE
MAXIMUM AVAILABILITY
 
 
June 1, 2012
$4,875,000.00
September 1, 2012
$4,750,000.00
December 1, 2012
$4,625,000.00
March 1, 2013
$4,500,000.00
June 1, 2013
$4,375,000.00
September 1, 2013
$4,250,000.00
December 1, 2013
$4,125,000.00
March 1, 2014
$4,000,000.00
June 1, 2014
$3,875,000.00
September 1, 2014
$3,750,000.00
December 1, 2014
$3,625,000.00
March 1, 2015
$3,500,000.00
June 1, 2015
$3,375,000.00
September 1, 2015
$3,250,000.00
December 1, 2015
$3,125,000.00
March 1, 2016
$3,000,000.00
June 1, 2016
$2,875,000.00
September 1, 2016
$2,750,000.00
December 1, 2016
$2,625,000.00
March 1, 2017
$2,500,000.00
April 16, 2017
$—

On each Reduction Date, the Borrower will pay and apply to the then outstanding principal balance of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan the amount necessary to reduce the outstanding principal balance of the Declining Revolving Credit Loan so that it is within the Maximum Availability applicable on each such Reduction Date. Such payments will be applied by the Agent pro rata to each Lender's Declining Revolving Credit Note based on their respective Percentage in the Declining Revolving Credit Loan.

(iii)     Term Loan . Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Lenders with a Term Loan Commitment severally agree to lend to Borrower in the aggregate Twenty Million and No/100 Dollars ($20,000,000). The Term Loan will be evidenced by those certain Term Notes (as defined in Section 2.03(c) below) of even date with this Agreement in the amount of each Lender's Term Loan Commitment.

(iv)     Financial Instrument Agreements . Lenders or their subsidiaries or affiliates may, but shall not be obligated, to enter into from time to time with the Borrower, one or more Financial Instrument Agreements. Each such Financial Instrument Agreement will be subject to separate documentation, including without limitation an ISDA Master Swap Agreement, a schedule and confirmation with respect to such Financial Instrument Agreement. The obligations of the Borrower related to any Financial Instrument Agreement will be as set forth in such separate documentation, provided such obligations will be cross defaulted to the obligations of the Borrower hereunder, and shall be additional Obligations secured by the Collateral.

(v)     Use of Proceeds . The Loans shall be used solely for purposes of: (1) re-financing the loans and financial accommodations extended under the Current Credit Agreement; (2) the Borrower's general working capital needs and other general corporate purposes; and (3) capital expenditures by the Borrower, to





the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly, use any part of the Loan proceeds for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock within the meaning of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or to extend credit to any person for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock, or for any purpose which violates, or is inconsistent with, Regulation X of such Board of Governors. In addition, the Revolving Credit Loan may be used to support the issuance of letters of credit for the account of Borrower.

Section 2.02.     Manner of Borrowing .

(b) The Borrower shall give the Agent notice of the Borrower's intention to borrow under the Revolving Credit Loan or Declining Revolving Credit Loan at least one Business Day before the requested funding date, in each case specifying: (1) the proposed funding date of such Loan; (2) the amount of such Loan; (3) whether the principal amount of any such Revolving Credit Loan, together with the principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, is within the Borrowing Base at such time and is within the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such time; and (4) whether the principal amount of any such Declining Revolving Credit Loan, together with the principal amount of all Declining Revolving Credit Loans then outstanding, is within the Maximum Availability at such time and is within the Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment at such time. The Agent shall promptly forward a copy of each such notice to each Lender. Not later than 1:00 p.m. Omaha, Nebraska time on the date such Loan is to be funded, each Lender will make available to the Agent in immediately available funds, such Lender's Percentage of such Loan. After the Agent's receipt of such funds, the Agent shall make such Loan available to the Borrower. All notices given under this Section by the Borrower shall be irrevocable and shall be given not later than 12:00 p.m. Omaha, Nebraska time on the day which is not less than the number of Business Days specified above for such notice. For purposes of this Section, the Borrower agrees that the Agent may rely and act upon any request for a Loan from any individual who the Agent, absent gross negligence or willful misconduct, believes to be a representative of the Borrower. The Agent shall promptly give notice to each Lender of each request for a Revolving Credit Loan or Declining Revolving Credit Loan and, in any event, at least by 12:00 p.m., Omaha, Nebraska time, on the second Business Day before the Business Day such Loan is to be made.

(b)    Unless the Agent shall have received notice from a Lender prior to the date on which such Lender is to provide funds to the Agent for a Loan to be made by such Lender that such Lender will not make available to the Agent such funds, the Agent may assume that such Lender has made such funds available to the Agent on the date of such Loan in accordance with Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement and the Agent (in its sole discretion) may, but shall not be obligated to, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount. If and to the extent such Lender shall not have so made such funds available to the Agent (a " Funding Default "), such Lender agrees to repay to the Agent forthwith on demand such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the date such amount is made available to the Borrower until the date such amount is repaid to the Agent, at the customary rate reasonably set by the Agent for the correction of errors among banks. If such Lender shall repay to the Agent such corresponding amount, such amount so repaid shall constitute such Lender's Loan for purposes of this Agreement. Once a Funding Default has occurred, then the Agent shall no longer have the discretion under this Section 2.02(b) to make funds available to the Borrower on the assumption that the Lenders will make the corresponding funds available to the Agent. In no event shall the Agent be obligated to advance funds to the Borrower (and in no event shall any other Lender have any liability to the Borrower) if a Defaulting Lender fails to advance its share of such funds to the Agent in accordance with the requirements of Section 2.02(a) of this Agreement.

Section 2.03.     Notes .






(c) The Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by promissory notes payable to each Lender with a Revolving Credit Loan Commitment substantially in the form of Exhibit B-1 hereto (collectively, as amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the " Revolving Credit Notes ").

(b)    The Declining Revolving Credit Loans shall be evidenced by promissory notes payable to each Lender with a Declining Revolving Credit Commitment substantially in the form of Exhibit B-2 hereto (collectively, as amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time, the " Declining Revolving Credit Notes ").

(c)    The Term Loan shall be evidenced by the Term Notes substantially in the form of Exhibit B-3 hereto.

Section 2.04.     Payment .

(d) Revolving Credit Loans .

(i) Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance of each Revolving Credit Loan is due and payable on the first (1 st ) calendar day of each month until the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Credit Loan when all accrued but unpaid interest on each Revolving Credit Loan is due and payable in full.

(ii) The outstanding principal balance of each Revolving Credit Loan is payable in full on the Termination Date applicable to the Revolving Credit Loan.

(e) Declining Revolving Credit Loans .

(i) Accrued interest on the outstanding principal balance of each Declining Revolving Credit Loan is due and payable on each Reduction Date, until the Termination Date applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan when all accrued but unpaid interest on each Declining Revolving Credit Loan is due and payable in full.

(ii) Sums sufficient to reduce the outstanding principal balance of each Declining Revolving Credit Loan to the then applicable Maximum Availability is due and payable on each Reduction Date, and the remaining outstanding principal balance is due and payable in full on the Termination Date applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan.

(c)     Term Loan . The principal balance of the Term Loan will be payable in equal quarterly installments of $500,000.00, commencing on June 1, 2012, and continuing on the first day of each calendar quarter thereafter until the Maturity Date when the outstanding principal balance, together with accrued and unpaid interest, will be due and payable in full.

(d)     General . All payments due under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be made in immediately available funds to the Agent at its office described in its signature page hereto unless the Agent gives notice to the contrary. Payments so received at or before 1:00 p.m. Omaha, Nebraska time on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been received by the Agent on that Business Day. Payments received after 1:00 p.m. Omaha, Nebraska time on any Business Day shall be deemed to have been received on the next Business Day, and interest, if payable in respect of such payment, shall accrue thereon until such next Business Day. The Agent shall remit to each Lender its Percentage of all payments of principal and interest received by the Agent on the Business Day the Agent is deemed to have received such payment. With respect to any payment due on any Obligation which is 10 days or more late, in addition to any rights and remedies Lenders may have Borrower will be charged a late fee equal to 3% of the scheduled payment or $25 whichever is greater.






Section 2.05.     Interest Rates .

(f) Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance at the end of the day of each Loan at the Applicable Rate in effect for such Loan on such day.

(g) Upon or after the occurrence and during the continuation of any Event of Default and after the maturity date of any Loan, the principal amount of each Loan shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to six percent (6%) above the interest rate that would otherwise apply under Section 2.05(a) above (the " Default Rate ").

(h) In all cases, interest on the outstanding principal balance of all Loans and any other Obligations with respect to which interest accrues pursuant to the terms of this Agreement is computed on a 360 day basis; that is, by applying the ratio of the interest rate over a year of 360 days, multiplied by the outstanding principal balance, multiplied by the actual number of days the principal balance is outstanding. All interest payable under the Loans and other Obligations is computed using this method.

(i) In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the aggregate of all amounts deemed interest hereunder or under the Notes and charged or collected pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents exceed the highest rate permissible under any law which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem applicable thereto. If such a court determines that the Lenders have charged or received interest hereunder or under the other Loan Documents in excess of the highest applicable rate, the Agent shall apply such excess to any other Obligations then due and payable, whether principal, interest, fees or otherwise, and shall refund the remainder of such excess interest, if any, to the Borrower, and such rate shall automatically be reduced to the maximum rate permitted by such law.

Section 2.06.     Prepayments .

(a)    If, at any time, the outstanding principal balance of all Revolving Credit Loans exceeds the Total Revolving Credit Commitment at such time, the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent an amount sufficient to reduce the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans by an amount equal to such excess.

(b)    If, at any time, the outstanding principal balance of all Declining Revolving Credit Loans exceeds the Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment or Maximum Availability at such time, the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent an amount sufficient to reduce the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Declining Revolving Credit Loans by an amount equal to such excess.

(c)    If, at any time, the aggregate outstanding principal balance of all Revolving Credit Loans exceeds the Borrowing Base at such time, the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Agent an amount sufficient to reduce the aggregate unpaid principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans by an amount equal to such excess.

(d)    Borrower will pay to the Agent for the pro rata benefit of the Lenders with a Term Loan Commitment a prepayment fee equal to one percent (1%) of the original principal balance of the Term Loan (or $20,000,000.00) if prepayment of the Term Loan is made during the first year following the Closing Date as a result of a refinance with a lending institution(s) other than Lenders.

2.07.     Excess Cash Flow . Within 120 days after the end of each of Borrower's fiscal years, Borrower shall calculate and report to the Agent the amount of Borrower's Excess Cash Flow for such ended fiscal year. Within 120 days following the end of each such fiscal year, Borrower will pay to the Agent twenty-five percent (25%) of such Excess Cash Flow calculated by Borrower for such fiscal year. Borrower's payment of Excess Cash Flow shall be





applied by the Agent to the then outstanding principal installments due on the Term Loan in the inverse order of their maturity. Such Excess Cash Flow payments shall not release Borrower from making the payments of principal or interest otherwise required by this Agreement or the Term Loan. Upon payment in full of the Term Loan, Borrower shall no longer be obligated to make the payments of Excess Cash Flow required in this Section. No payment of Excess Cash Flow shall trigger or obligate Borrower to pay to the Agent any prepayment fees or premiums.

2.08.     Libor Loans . If any payment or prepayment is made or applied in respect of any Loan before the due date thereof (whether due to voluntary prepayment, acceleration of the Loan, or otherwise), the Borrower shall pay to the Lenders, as liquidated damages for the loss of the bargain and/or anticipated resulting damages and not as a penalty, the amount payable as a result thereof pursuant to Section 4.19 hereof.

2.09. Non-Use Fee . The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent, for the benefit of the Lenders with a Commitment in the Revolving Credit Loan and/or Declining Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with their respective Percentages, on the first day of each calendar quarter for the immediately preceding calendar quarter, a fee (the " Non-Use Fee ") equal to the sum of, for each day during such preceding calendar quarter, (i) the amount obtained by multiplying (a) the difference between the Total Revolving Credit Commitment and the Daily Credit Balance applicable to the Revolving Credit Loan for such day, times (b) the Applicable Margin for the Non-Use Fee, times (c) the fraction, 1/360, plus (ii) the amount obtained by multiplying (a) the difference between the Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment and the Daily Credit Balance applicable to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan for such day, times (b) the Applicable Margin for the Non-Use Fee, times (c) the fraction, 1/360.

2.10.     Origination Fee . The Borrower shall pay to the Agent at closing, for the benefit of the Lenders on a pro rata basis in accordance with their respective Percentages, a fee equal to $50,000. Such fee shall be deemed fully earned and nonrefundable at the closing of the transactions contemplated hereby and shall be paid on the Closing Date. This fee shall compensate the Lenders for the costs associated with the origination, structuring, processing, approving and closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including, but not limited to, administrative, general overhead and lost opportunity costs, but not including any out-of-pocket or other costs, fees or expenses for which the Borrower has agreed to reimburse any of the Lenders or any other persons pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents or any commitment letter, letter of intent or similar agreement.

2.11.     Application of Payments and Collections . The Borrower irrevocably waives the right to direct the application of any and all payments and collections at any time or times received by the Agent from or on behalf of the Borrower, and the Borrower agrees that the Agent has the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply any and all such payments and collections received at any time or times by such persons against the Obligations, in such manner as the Agent may deem advisable, notwithstanding any entry by the Agent upon any of its books and records.

2.12.     Sharing of Payments . Except as provided for in Section 2.13 below relating to allocation of Collateral proceeds, if any Lender shall obtain any payment (whether voluntary, involuntary, through the exercise of any right of setoff or otherwise except as provided for in Section 2.13 below) on account of the Notes in excess of its Percentage of payments on account of the Notes obtained by all the Lenders, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations in the Notes held by them as shall be necessary to cause such purchasing Lender to share the excess payment ratably with each of the other Lenders, provided, however, that if all or any portion of such excess payment is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender, such purchase from each Lender shall be rescinded and each Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase price to the extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to such Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (1) the amount of such Lender's required repayment to (2) the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise all its rights of payment (including the right of setoff) with respect to such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation.

2.13.     Allocation of Collateral Proceeds . Each Lender and the Borrower acknowledge and agree that the Collateral secures the Obligations on a cross-collateralization basis. However, the Borrower and each Lender agree





that the proceeds from any realization on the Mortgaged Property (other than inventory and accounts receivable and the proceeds thereof) as defined in the Mortgage, equipment and fixtures will be first applied to the Lenders' costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such Mortgaged Property, equipment and fixtures, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Term Loan Commitment under the Term Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Term Loan, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Declining Revolving Credit Commitment under the Declining Revolving Credit Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Revolving Credit Commitment under the Revolving Credit Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan and last to any other Obligations which remain outstanding pro rata based on each Lender's respective Percentage in such Obligations. Proceeds from any realization on such Mortgaged Property, equipment and fixtures will only be applied to the Revolving Credit Loans if any proceeds remain after the full and indefeasible payment of the Term Loan and Declining Revolving Credit Loans. In addition, the Borrower and each Lender acknowledge and agree that the proceeds from any realization on Collateral consisting of inventory, accounts receivable, Margin Account Equity and the products and proceeds thereof will be applied first to the Lenders' costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such inventory, accounts receivable and Margin Account Equity Collateral, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Revolving Credit Commitment under the Revolving Credit Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Declining Revolving Credit Commitment under the Declining Revolving Credit Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Declining Revolving Credit Loan, next to the Borrower's obligations to Lenders with a Term Loan Commitment under the Term Loan pro rata based on such Lenders' respective Percentage with respect to the Term Loan, and last to any other Obligations which remain outstanding pro rata based on each Lender's respective Percentage in such Obligations. With respect to the proceeds of any other Collateral not specified in this Section above, the proceeds of such Collateral will be applied first to the Lenders' costs and expenses payable by Borrower pursuant to Section 7.05 and any other costs and expenses of foreclosure or otherwise realizing on such Collateral and next to the Obligations in such order and priority as is required by applicable law, or in the absence of any such requirement, as determined by the Agent, pro rata based on each Lenders' respective Percentage in such Obligations.

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Section 3.01.     Representations and Warranties . The Borrower represents and warrants to the Agent and the Lenders that:

(j) Borrower is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the laws of the state of its organization. Borrower is duly qualified and in good standing as a foreign limited liability company, and authorized to do business, in all states and jurisdictions wherein the character of the properties owned or held by it or the business being transacted by it makes such qualification necessary, except where the failure to so qualify would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(k) Borrower has full power to own or lease its property and carry on its business as now conducted, and Borrower has full power to make the Borrowings herein provided for, to execute and deliver this Agreement, the Notes and the other Loan Documents and to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder. Borrower has full power to execute and deliver all other instruments referred to or mentioned herein to which it is a party and to perform its obligations thereunder. This Agreement, the Notes and other Loan Documents when executed and delivered by the Borrower will constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower enforceable in accordance with their respective terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other similar laws affecting the enforceability of creditors' rights generally and by general principles of equity.

(l) The Borrowings herein provided for and the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes, and all other Loan Documents and the performance of the obligations hereunder and thereunder, have





been duly authorized by all appropriate and required proceedings and action and will not contravene any provisions of law or any regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, permit, or license applicable to Borrower or any of Borrower's property or conflict with or breach or constitute a default under Borrower's Articles of Organization, Operating Agreement or any members agreement or other governing or organizational agreement of Borrower or Borrower's members or under any indenture, agreement or security agreement to which Borrower is a party or by which Borrower is bound. No consent or approval of the officers, general or limited partners, members, managers, or directors of Borrower or any other Person or creditor are required as a condition to the effectiveness and validity of the Loan Documents.

(m) All of the issued and outstanding membership interests of the Borrower are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

(n) The Borrower maintains its books on a fiscal year basis ending on September 30 of each year. The audited financial statements and schedules of the Borrower for and as of the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011 and the unaudited financial statements and statement of operations and members' equity and the balance sheet of the Borrower for the period ending January 31, 2012, certified by a financial officer of the Borrower, copies of which have been delivered to the Agent, fairly present the financial condition of the Borrower at such dates and the results of operations for such periods, and since January 31, 2012, there has been no Material Adverse Effect. No information, exhibit or report furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Agent contains any material misstatement of fact or omits to state a material fact or any fact or information necessary to make the statements and information contained therein incomplete or not materially misleading.

(o) Except as described in the above financial statements or disclosed in Schedule 3.01(f), there are no actions, suits, arbitration proceedings or other proceedings of any nature pending or, to the knowledge of Borrower, threatened, or to the knowledge of Borrower any basis therefor, against Borrower at law or in equity, in any court or before any governmental department or agency or arbitrator or arbitration panel, which could reasonably be expected to result in any Material Adverse Effect. No proceedings of any nature for the revocation, suspension or liquidation of any Permit have been commenced or threatened against Borrower.

(p) Borrower has filed all required federal, state and local tax returns and has paid all taxes as shown on such returns and all other taxes, assessments, FICA and other withholding taxes as they have become due. Except as described in the financial statements and reports referenced above, there are no tax claims which have been asserted against Borrower, which are unpaid, and which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(q) Borrower has good and marketable title to all of its real, personal and mixed properties, and such properties are free and clear of all Liens except Permitted Liens. In respect of leased property, the Borrower has valid and enforceable leasehold interests therein.

(r) Borrower is not in violation of any term of its Articles of Organization or Operating Agreement or any term of any agreement, instrument, judgment, decree or order applicable to it, or in violation of any term of any statute, rule or governmental regulation applicable to it, including without limitation any Permit, the violation of which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(s) To the best of Borrower's knowledge, the business and operations of the Borrower comply in all respects with all applicable federal, state, regional, county and local laws, including without limitation statutes, rules, regulations and ordinances relating to public health, safety or the environment or disposals to air, water, land or groundwater, to the withdrawal or use of groundwater, to the use, handling or disposal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), asbestos or urea formaldehyde, to the treatment, storage, disposal or management of hazardous substances (including, without limitation, petroleum, its derivatives, by-products or other hydrocarbons), to exposure to toxic, hazardous, or other controlled, prohibited or regulated substances, to the transportation, storage, disposal, management or release of gaseous or liquid substances, and any regulation, order, injunction, judgment, declaration, notice or demand issued thereunder, except where the





failure to so comply (individually or in the aggregate) would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

(t) Borrower has not given, nor is it required to give, nor has it received, any notice, letter, citation, order, warning, complaint, inquiry, claim or demand to or from any Governmental Authority or in connection with any court proceeding that: (i) Borrower has violated, or is about to violate, any federal, state, regional, county or local statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, Permit, judgment or order, including without limitation those relating to environmental, health or safety; (ii) there has been a release, or there is a threat of release, of hazardous substances (including, without limitation, petroleum, its by-products or derivatives, or other hydrocarbons) from Borrower's property, facilities, equipment or vehicles; (iii) Borrower may, or is liable, in whole or in part, for the costs of cleaning up, remediating or responding to a release of hazardous substances (including, without limitation, petroleum, its by-products or derivatives, or other hydrocarbons); or (iv) any of Borrower's property or assets are subject to a Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for any liability, costs or damages, under any federal, state or local environmental law, rule or regulation arising from, or costs incurred by such Governmental Authority in response to, a release of a hazardous substance (including, without limitation, petroleum, its by-products or derivatives, or other hydrocarbons).

(u) All statements by the Borrower contained in any certificate, statement, document or other instrument or writing delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower at any time pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Borrower hereunder. No representation or warranty of the Borrower contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, and no statement contained in any certificate, schedule, list, financial statement or other instrument furnished to the Agent or any Lender by or on behalf of the Borrower contains, or will contain, any untrue statement of a material fact, or omits, or will omit, to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained herein or therein not misleading. To the best of Borrower's knowledge, all information material to the transactions contemplated in this Agreement has been disclosed to the Agent and Lenders.

(v) No part of the proceeds of the Borrowings will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any such margin stock or to reduce or retire any indebtedness incurred for any such purpose. If requested by the Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Agent a statement in conformity with the requirements of Federal Reserve Form U 1 referred to in Regulation U to the foregoing effect.

(w) Borrower has no commodity accounts or similar commodity hedging accounts except for those described in the Control Agreements.

(o)    Each “employee benefit plan”, “employee pension benefit plan”, “defined benefit plan” or “multi-employer benefit plan” (as such terms are defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended) which Borrower has established, maintained or to which it is required to contribute (collectively, the “Plans”) is in compliance with all applicable provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (as amended, replaced or supplemented from time to time, “ERISA”), and the Internal Revenue Code and the rules and regulations thereunder as well as the Plan's terms and conditions. There have been no “prohibited transactions” and no “reportable event” (as such terms are defined in ERISA) has occurred with respect to any Plan. Borrower does not have a “multi-employer benefit plan”. Borrower has not incurred any liability to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation in connection with a Plan, other than for premiums due in the ordinary course.

(p)    Borrower is and, after consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, will be Solvent. “Solvent” shall mean that, as of a particular date, (i) Borrower is able to realize upon its assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the ordinary course of business; (ii) Borrower is not engaged in a business or a transaction, and is not about to engage in a business or a transaction, for which Borrower's property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which Borrower is engaged,





(iii) the fair value of the property of Borrower is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without limitation, contingent liabilities, of Borrower and (iv) the present fair salable value of the assets of Borrower is not less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of Borrower on its debts as they become absolute and matured. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability. The Borrower shall execute and deliver to the Agent a Solvency Certificate in form attached as Schedule 3.01(p) and incorporated herein by reference.

(q)    As of the date hereof, Borrower has no subsidiaries or affiliates other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(q) attached hereto and made a part hereof.

(r)    Borrower is not in default under or with respect to, or a party to, any contractual obligation that could, either individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. No Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result from the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

(s)    Borrower is not an “investment company” within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940.

(t)    Each Permit is listed on Schedule 3.01(t), including each Permit in effect presently and those Permits to be obtained after the Closing Date as necessary or appropriate for operation of Borrower's ethanol plant at maximum capacity.

(u)    As of the Closing Date, there are no Material Contracts other than the agreements and contracts disclosed to the Lenders pursuant to this Section.

(i)    Management Contracts. As of the Closing Date, there are no management contracts material to the management of Borrower's business or operation of the Project other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(u)(i).

(ii)    Supply Contracts. As of the Closing Date, there are no Supply Contracts other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(u)(ii). Borrower has made adequate provision for all storage facilities, equipment and inputs, including corn, as specified by Borrower's engineers for the maximum output and operation of the Project.

(iii)    Sales and Marketing Contracts. As of the Closing Date, there are no Sales and Marketing Contracts other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(u)(iii).

(iv)    Transportation Contracts. As of the Closing Date, there are no Transportation Contracts other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(u)(iv).

(v)    Utility Contracts. As of the Closing Date, there are no Utility Contracts other than those listed on Schedule 3.01(u)(v). Borrower has made suitable arrangements so that the Project has all necessary electrical, coal, water, storm and sewer facilities in place for the proper construction and operation of the Project at maximum efficiency.

Each Material Contract is in full force and effect and there are no defaults now existing or which would or may occur with the giving of notice or the passage of time. The parties intend and agree that the assignments and consents listed in Schedule 3.01(u) issued under and in support of the Current Credit Agreement shall remain in full force effect and shall secure and support the Loans. Any reference in such assignments to a "Loan Agreement" shall hereby be deemed amended to reference this Agreement.






(v)    As of the Closing Date, the Projections fairly present Borrower's reasonable forecast of the results of operations and changes in cash flows for the periods covered thereby, based on the assumptions set forth therein, which assumptions are reasonable based on historical experience and presently known facts. Since the date of such Projections, there have been no changes with respect to Borrower or its Subsidiaries which could reasonably be expected to result in, singly or in the aggregate, a material discrepancy between such Projections and Borrower's actual results for the periods stated.

(w)    The Project was constructed in material compliance with its plans and specifications and the applicable Permits and is being operated in accordance with the Permits and applicable law. The exterior lines of the improvements related to the Project are, and at all times will be, within the boundary lines of the Real Estate, and Borrower has examined and is familiar with all applicable covenants, conditions, restrictions and reservations and with all applicable requirements of all Governmental Authorities, including without limitation, building codes and zoning, environmental, hazardous substance, energy and pollution control laws, ordinances and regulations affecting the Project.

ARTICLE IV
COVENANTS

Borrower covenants and agrees with the Agent and Lenders that so long as any Obligations remain outstanding or Lenders have any duty to extend credit hereunder, except to the extent compliance in any case is waived in writing by the Agent:

Section 4.01.     Existence . Borrower will maintain in good standing its existence and its right to transact business in each state in which the character of the properties owned or held by it or the business being transacted by it require it to be qualified as a foreign limited liability company or limited partnership, as the case may be, and will continue to engage in the same lines of business in which it is presently engaged.

Section 4.02.     Inspection and Records . The Borrower will permit the Agent and any agent of the Agent to visit and inspect any of its respective properties, corporate books, financial records, grain and inventory warehouses, and grain and ethanol, corn oil and distiller's grains inventory records, and to discuss its affairs, finances and accounts with their principal officers and independent public accountants, all at such reasonable times and as often as the Agent may reasonably request. At the request of the Agent, the Borrower shall permit, and will cooperate with the Agent in arranging for, inspections from time to time of Borrower's facilities and audits of the Collateral. The Borrower acknowledges that any reports and inspections conducted or generated by the Agent or its agents or representatives, shall be made for the sole benefit of the Lenders and not for the benefit of the Borrower or any third party, and the Agent and Lenders do not assume any liability, responsibility or obligation to the Borrower or any third party by reason of such inspections or reports. The costs and expenses of such audits and inspections made by the Agent shall be paid or reimbursed by the Borrower.

Section 4.03.     Insurance and Maintenance of Properties . The Borrower will maintain insurance of the kinds, covering the risks, and in such amounts and deductibles acceptable to the Agent, which policies (except policies of liability insurance) shall cover all operating, physical properties of the Borrower and will keep all its operating, physical properties in good repair, ordinary wear and tear and damage by fire or other casualty, however caused, excepted. All policies of casualty insurance providing coverage for Collateral shall name the Agent as additional insured and as additional loss payee. All such endorsements shall comply with the terms and conditions of the Mortgage and Security Agreement and shall provide, in any event, that no such policy shall be cancelled, materially reduced in amount or materially changed in coverage without at least thirty (30) days prior written notice to the Agent of such cancellation, reduction or change. The policies of insurance required below shall be in form and content satisfactory to the Agent and shall be placed with financially sound and reputable insurers. Acceptance of insurance policies referred to below shall not bar the Agent from requiring additional insurance, which it deems reasonably deems necessary. Specifically, the Borrower will maintain the following policies of insurance:

(a)    An All Risk property policy of insurance with coverage equal to the replacement cost of the Project,





as well as casualty/umbrella (Commercial General Liability) insurance) insuring the Project against all risks, including flood, earthquake, and mechanical and electrical breakdown including testing to the full value of the Project (subject to reasonable loss deductible provisions). Lenders' interest shall be protected by naming the Agent as additional insured on the liability policies and loss payee on the property policies;

(b)    Casualty (Commercial General Liability) & Umbrella insurance (including products and completed operations, operations of subcontractors, and contractual liability insurance) with coverage in the amount of $2,000,000.00 in the form of either a $2,000,000.00 primary policy or a $1,000,000.00 primary policy and a $1,000,000.00 Umbrella policy. Agent's interest shall be protected by naming the Agent as an additional named insured on all such policies;

(c)    State worker's compensation insurance, with statutory limits, and Employer's Liability coverage with coverage of no less than $500,000.00;

(d)    Business automobile liability insurance insuring all vehicles on the site, including hired and non-owned liability with coverage in the amount of $2,000,000.00 in the form of either a $2,000,000.00 primary policy or a $1,000,000.00 primary policy and a $1,000,000.00 Umbrella policy;

(e)    Environmental insurance shall be provided covering clean up and removal, in policy amounts and coverages reasonably acceptable to the Agent;

(f)    Directors/Officers errors and omissions coverage of no less than $2,000,000.00;

(g)    Business Interruption and Extra Expense insurance equal to 100% of the projected revenue loss during a potential interruption of production of not less than six months; and

(h)    Such other coverages as the Agent reasonably requires from time to time.

Section 4.04.     Notices . The Borrower will notify the Agent immediately if it becomes aware of (a) the occurrence of any Default, (b) any other event or circumstance that could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, (c) a material adverse change in the business, operations, financial condition (including, without limitation, proceedings in bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, or the appointment of a receiver or trustee), or (d) any failure of Borrower to observe any of its undertakings under the Loan Documents. The Borrower shall also notify the Agent in writing of any default under any Material Contract or any other indenture, agreement, contract, lease, license, licensing agreement or other instrument to which Borrower is a party or under which Borrower is obligated, and of any acceleration of the maturity of any indebtedness of either Borrower which default or acceleration could have a Material Adverse Effect on Borrower or on the Collateral. The Borrower shall also notify the Agent of any revocation, proceeding or investigation of any nature with respect to such Borrower's Permits. The Borrower shall take all steps necessary to remedy promptly any of the foregoing defaults, investigations or proceedings, to protect against any such adverse claim, to defend any such proceeding and to resolve all such controversies.

Section 4.05.     Compliance with Laws; Payment of Debts, Taxes and Claims . The Borrower will comply in all material respects with all statutes, laws and governmental rules, regulations, Permits and orders applicable to its business, properties and assets. In addition, the Borrower shall maintain in full force and effect all Permits, licenses and licensing agreements and the Borrower shall comply in all material respects with the provisions and requirements of such Permits and licenses and/or licensing agreements. The Borrower will promptly pay and discharge prior to delinquency all debts, accounts, liabilities, taxes, assessments and other governmental charges or levies imposed upon, or due from, the Borrower, as well as all claims of any kind (including claims for labor, materials and supplies) which, if unpaid, might by law become a Lien upon any of their respective property, except that nothing herein contained shall be interpreted to require the payment of any such debt, account, liability, tax, assessment or charge so long as its validity is being contested in good faith by appropriate legal proceedings and against which, if requested by the Agent or required by GAAP, reserves satisfactory to and deposited with the Agent have been made therefor. Such reserves shall constitute additional Collateral and the Borrower hereby grants the Agent a first priority security interest in such





reserves.

Section 4.06.     Fundamental Changes; Acquisitions . Borrower shall not dissolve, wind up, liquidate, merge into or consolidate with, or suffer or permit itself to be merged into or consolidated with, any other corporation, or sell, convey or transfer all or substantially all of its assets to any person, firm or corporation. Borrower shall not change its name without the prior written consent of the Agent. Borrower shall not purchase or otherwise acquire the assets or equity interests of any other Person or Persons; provided, however, that the term "acquisition," as used in the sentence, shall not include the purchase of grain, inputs or inventory in the ordinary course of Borrower's business.

Section 4.07.     Working Capital . The Borrower must maintain at all times minimum Working Capital of not less than $5,000,000.00, measured monthly.

Section 4.08.     Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio . The Borrower must maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured on a rolling four quarters trailing basis at the end of each full fiscal quarter, of no less than 1.15:1.0. The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio shall be tested by the Agent quarterly on a fiscal quarter basis.

Section 4.09.     Capital Expenditures . The Borrower shall not make any expenditures for fixed or capital assets if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate of all such expenditures by the Borrower exceeds $4,100,000 during Borrower's 2012 fiscal year, or $1,000,000 in any fiscal year after 2012.

Section 4.10.     Material Contracts . The Borrower will notify the Agent of the existence of any Material Contract promptly upon entering into the same. The Borrower agrees to promptly execute and deliver to the Agent such collateral assignments and take such other actions as the Agent requests to perfect Agent's security interest in Borrower's rights under such Material Contracts. In addition, the Borrower will assign to the Agent, in form acceptable to the Agent, all equipment and systems warranties relating to the Project, all operational, design and intellectual property licenses applicable to the Project, together with all Utility Contracts, grain procurement contracts, grain, corn oil and ethanol Financial Instrument Agreements, as the same are obtained by Borrower from time to time, together with all consents from the vendors and other parties under such contracts.

Section 4.11.     Financial Reports . The Borrower will maintain a system of accounting in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied, and will furnish to the Agent and to Agent's authorized representatives such information respecting the business and financial condition of the Borrower as Agent may reasonably request; and without request Borrower will furnish each of the following to Agent:

(x) Borrower's year end audited financial statements (to include, but not be limited to, balance sheet, income statement, and net worth reconciliation, each setting forth in comparative form figures for the preceding fiscal year of the Borrower), audited and accompanied by an unqualified audit report by a certified public accounting firm acceptable to the Agent as soon as available and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days after the end of the Borrower's fiscal years;

(y) The Borrower's interim monthly financial statements (to include its unaudited balance sheet as of the end of each such period and the related unaudited statements of income and retained earnings, and statement of changes in financial position for such period and the portion of the fiscal year through such date, setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous year) as soon as available, but in any event within thirty (30) days after the end of each month, signed and certified complete and as fairly presenting the financial condition and results of operations of the Borrower by the Chief Financial Officer or equivalent of the Borrower (subject to normal year-end adjustments and the absence of footnotes);

(z) A borrowing base certificate (in form satisfactory to the Agent and with all supporting documentation, and including, without limitation, finished goods-ethanol, corn oil and distiller's grain inventory detail, accounts receivable detail, corn inventory, and Margin Account Equity) at the initial Advance on the Revolving Credit Loan and monthly thereafter as soon as available but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month or at such other time as requested by the Agent;






(aa) The Borrower's daily commodity position reports which states Borrower's ownership position in grains, ethanol and coal and, for each, the amount thereof hedged, as soon as available but in any event no later than thirty (30) days after the last day of each month and at such other time as the Agent may request, and Borrower's hedging account brokerage statements on a daily basis as soon as available;

(e)    as soon as available and in any event within 30 days after the end of each month, a production report certified by the Chief Financial Officer or equivalent of the Borrower as to accuracy, which sets forth pertinent information in respect of the amount of ethanol, corn oil and DDGS produced, input, output and utility costs, transportation costs, utilization and other information as the Agent may reasonably specify from time to time;

(f)    Within thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter, a certificate of the Borrower signed by the chief financial officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference, (i) demonstrating compliance with the financial covenants contained in this Agreement above by calculation thereof as of the end of each such fiscal period, and compliance with the capital expenditure limitations provided for in this Agreement above, (ii) stating that no Event of Default exists, or if any Event of Default does exist, specifying the nature and extent thereof and what action the Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto and (iii) certifying that all of the representations and warranties made by the Borrower in this Agreement and/or in any other Loan Document are true and correct on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date;

(g)    concurrently with the delivery of the financial statements referred to in clause (a) above, a copy of the Borrower's pro forma budget and business plan for the subsequent fiscal year of the Borrower, containing a combined and combining pro forma balance sheet of the Borrower as of the end of such subsequent fiscal year and the related pro forma combined and combining statements of income, owners' equity and cash flows (together with all footnotes thereto) of the Borrower for such subsequent fiscal year, and including the Borrower's projected capital projects and expenditures for such year;

(h)    The Borrower shall authorize all Governmental Authorities to furnish reports of examinations, records and other information relating to the condition and affairs of the Borrower and the Project, and any information from reports, returns, files and records of such Governmental Authorities regarding the Borrower upon request to the Agent;

(i)    a monthly Risk Management Policy Compliance Certificate, completed and certified correct by the general manager of the Project, certifying that Borrower is in compliance with Borrower's Risk Management Policy approved by the Agent, within thirty (30) days after the end of each month; and

(j)    promptly following any request therefor, such other information regarding the results of operations, business affairs and financial condition of the Borrower and such information about the Project as the Agent may reasonably request.

All financial statements required hereunder shall be complete and correct in all material respects and shall be prepared in reasonable detail and in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (consistent with the financial statements referred to above) and applied consistently throughout the periods reflected therein. Without the prior written consent of the Agent, the Borrower will not change in any material way the accounting principles upon which the financial statements referenced above were prepared and based except for changes made as a result of changes in or to generally accepted accounting principles.

Section 4.12.     Debt . Borrower shall not create, incur or assume any Debt except for Permitted Debt.

Section 4.13.     Redemption; Distributions . Borrower shall not redeem, purchase or acquire units or shares of its outstanding membership interests without the prior written consent of the Agent; provided, however, that so long





as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to the payment of the redemption or purchase, Borrower has delivered to the Agent Borrower's annual audited financial statements and compliance certificates as required in this Agreement and Borrower is in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants provided for in this Agreement and will remain so after giving effect to the payment of such redemption or purchase, Borrower may redeem or purchase outstanding membership interests, or units or shares thereof, in an aggregate amount not to exceed $100,000.00 in any fiscal year. Further, Borrower may not declare or pay any dividends or distributions; or make any distribution of assets to its members, whether in cash, assets or obligations of the Borrower; or allocate or otherwise set apart any funds or assets for the payment of any dividend or distribution without the prior written consent of the Agent except as provided for in this Section as follows:

(a)    So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to the payment of the Tax Distribution described in this subsection, the Borrower may make Tax Distributions to its members within thirty (30) days prior to each June 15, September 15 and January 15, each in an amount equal to one fourth (¼) of the estimated income tax liability to be incurred for such year by the Borrower's members or partners by reason of their membership interest in the Borrower, based upon the most recent financial information available to the Borrower.

(b)    The Borrower may make a final Tax Distribution to its members within thirty (30) days prior to each April 15, so long as (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to the payment of such final Tax Distribution described in this Section and the distributions permitted in Section 4.14(c), (b) the Borrower has delivered to the Agent the Borrower's annual audited financial statements and compliance certificates as required in this Agreement and (c) the Borrower is in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants provided for in this Agreement and will remain so after giving effect to the payment of such final Tax Distribution described in this Section and the distributions permitted in Section 4.14(c), in an amount not to exceed the positive difference between the total tax liability of the Borrower's members incurred by reason of their membership interest in Borrower and the amounts previously distributed to such members pursuant to Section 4.13(a), provided, that if the difference between the total tax liability of the Borrower's members incurred by reason of their membership interest in the Borrower and the amounts previously distributed to such members pursuant to Section 4.13(a) is zero or a negative number, then no final Tax Distributions may be made by Borrower under this Section.

(c)    So long as (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to the payment of the distribution described in this Section and the year ending quarter Tax Distribution described in Section 4.13(b), (b) Borrower has delivered to the Agent Borrower's annual audited financial statements and compliance certificates as required in this Agreement and (c) Borrower is in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants provided for in this Agreement and will remain so after giving effect to the payment of such distribution described in this Section and the year ending quarter Tax Distribution described Section 4.13(b), Borrower may make one distribution of net income each fiscal year, less any Tax Distributions previously made pursuant to Sections 4.13(a) and 4.13(b), based upon the Net Income of Borrower for the immediately preceding fiscal year in an amount not to exceed 40% of such preceding fiscal year's Net Income.

(d)    The foregoing Tax Distributions and Net Income distributions described in Section 4.13(c) above may only be made if (a) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would occur after giving effect to the payment of the applicable Tax Distribution, (b) Borrower has delivered to the Agent Borrower's annual audited financial statements and compliance certificates as required in this Agreement, (c) Borrower is in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants provided for in this Agreement and will remain so after giving effect to the payment of the applicable Tax Distribution or Net Income Distribution and (d) such Tax Distributions and Net Income Distributions in the aggregate for any fiscal year do not exceed forty percent (40%) of Borrower's Net Income for the immediately preceding fiscal year. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement to the contrary, in no event shall any distributions, including, but not limited to Tax Distributions, be made prior to Borrower's full payment and satisfaction of all of Borrower's Obligations which have accrued to the date of payment of such distributions including Tax Distributions.






Section 4.14.     Hedge Agreements . The Borrower shall maintain hedging contracts with respect to its ethanol, coal and grain positions; provided, however, in no event shall the Borrower's unhedged grain position violate the requirements of the State of North Dakota Grain Code and/or the USDA Federal Grain Code, and any regulations and interpretations issued thereunder, as they may be amended from time to time.

Section 4.15.     Negative Pledge . The Borrower shall not incur or permit to exist any Liens against any of its property except (collectively, " Permitted Liens "):

(a)    pledges or deposits in connection with or to secure worker's compensation employment insurance, pensions or other employee benefits, or in connection with leases or other contracts, or to secure public or statutory obligations, or to secure surety or appeal bonds;

(b)    Liens for taxes, assessments or governmental charges or levies to the extent not delinquent or that are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which Borrower has set aside adequate reserves in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Liens arising under the Loan Documents;

(d)    purchase money Liens upon or in property acquired or held by Borrower in the ordinary course of business to secure the purchase price of such property or to secure indebtedness incurred solely for the purpose of financing the acquisition of any such property to be subject to such Liens, or Liens existing on any such property at the time of acquisition, or extensions, renewals or replacements of any of the foregoing for the same or a lesser amount, provided that no such Lien shall extend to or cover any property other than the property being acquired and no such extension, renewal or replacement shall extend to or cover property not theretofore subject to the Lien being extended, renewed or replaced, and provided, further, that the aggregate principal amount of debt at any one time outstanding secured by Liens permitted by this clause (d) shall not exceed $100,000.00;

(e)    Liens imposed by law, such as carriers', workmen's and repairmen's liens and other similar Liens arising in the ordinary course of business securing obligations which are not overdue by more than 60 days or which have been fully bonded or are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been set aside in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(f)    easements, rights-of-way, zoning and other similar restrictions and encumbrances, which do not (individually or in the aggregate) materially detract from the use of the property to which they attach by the Borrower;

(g)    Liens of Commodity Intermediaries as described in the Control Agreements;

(h)    the Permitted Encumbrances defined in the Mortgage; and

(i)    Liens disclosed in Exhibit C attached to this Agreement and incorporated herein by reference.

Section 4.16.     Environmental, Health and Safety Laws . Borrower will comply in all material respects with the requirements of all federal, state and local environmental and health and safety laws, rules, regulations and orders applicable to or pertaining to its properties or business operations. Without limiting the foregoing, Borrower will not, except in accordance with applicable law, dispose of any hazardous substance into, onto or from any real property owned or operated by Borrower. The Borrower shall promptly provide the Agent with copies of any notice or other instrument of the type described in Section 3.01(k) hereof, after an officer of the Borrower receives such notice or instrument.






Section 4.17.     Capital Adequacy . If the Agent shall have determined that the adoption after the date hereof, of any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change after the date hereof therein, or any change after the date hereof in the interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or administration thereof, or compliance by any Lender with any request or directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority, central bank or comparable agency made subsequent to the date hereof, has or would have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender's capital as a consequence of its obligations hereunder to a level below that which such Lender could have achieved but for such adoption, change or compliance by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material, then from time to time, within sixty (60) days after demand by the Agent the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of such Lender such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such reduction. Such Lender will promptly notify the Agent and the Borrower of any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will entitle a Lender to compensation pursuant to this Section. A certificate of the Lender claiming compensation under this Section and setting forth the additional amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error determining such amount, such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

Section 4.18.     Funding Losses . If the Borrower makes any prepayment of principal with respect to any Loan on a day other than the due date, the Borrower shall reimburse the applicable Lenders, on demand, for any resulting loss, breakage fees or expense (including without limitation, administrative costs) incurred by such Lenders including any loss incurred in obtaining, liquidating, or employing deposits from third parties, provided that such Lenders shall have delivered to the Agent and the Borrower a certificate as to the amount of such loss or expense, which certificate shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

Section 4.19.     Contingent Liabilities . Borrower will not guarantee, endorse, agree to furnish funds for the payment of, or otherwise become or be contingently liable upon the indebtedness of any Person, except (a) endorsements of negotiable instruments in the ordinary course of business, and (b) commercially reasonable indemnity agreements by the Borrower in favor of its officers, members, managers, partners and directors.

Section 4.20.     Commodity Accounts . Borrower will not establish or maintain any commodity account or similar commodity hedging account unless the commodity intermediary in respect of such account has entered into a control agreement with the Borrower and the Agent which provides that the Agent, as secured party, has "control" of such commodity account and all commodity contracts carried in such commodity account for purposes of Section 9-106(b)(2) of the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in the applicable jurisdiction and which control agreement is otherwise reasonably acceptable in form and content to the Agent.

Section 4.21.     Property Maintenance . The Borrower will keep its properties in good repair, working order, and condition and from time to time make any needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements, extensions, additions, and improvements thereto so that the business of the Borrower will be conducted at all times in accordance with prudent business management.

Section 4.22.     Litigation; Adverse Events . The Borrower will promptly inform the Agent of the commencement of any material action, suit, proceeding, arbitration, mediation or investigation against the Borrower, or the making of any counterclaim against the Borrower and of all material Liens against any of the Borrower's property and promptly advise the Agent in writing of any other condition, event or act which comes to their attention that would or might materially prejudice the Agent's or any Lender's rights under this Agreement or the Loan Documents or otherwise result in a Material Adverse Effect.

Section 4.23.     Location of Collateral . The Borrower shall maintain all tangible Collateral, including, but not limited to grain and inventory, at the facilities described in Schedule A of the Security Agreements and the Borrower shall not move grain, inventory or other tangible Collateral from such facilities or otherwise locate grain or any other tangible Collateral at any other facility without the prior written consent of the Agent. In addition, the Borrower shall maintain its books and records relating to the Collateral at the facilities described in Schedule A of the Security Agreements. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Borrower may move Collateral between facilities identified on





Schedule A of the Security Agreements and may sell inventory in the ordinary course of business without the consent of the Agent.

Section 4.24.     Cash Management Services . The Borrower shall maintain its primary deposit accounts with First National.

Section 4.25.     Loans to Members . Borrower will not directly or indirectly loan amounts to or guarantee the debts of any Person, including, but not limited to an affiliate, subsidiary, parent of the Borrower, or any member, officer or employee thereof or to any entity controlled by such entity, officer, shareholder, member or employee.

Section 4.26.     Permits . Borrower will not permit any federal, state or local license, Permit, registration, consent or approval of any nature which is required or desirable in connection with the Borrower's business and the operation thereof to expire, lapse, terminate, be suspended or revoked for any reason. In addition, the Borrower will timely apply for any renewals of any Permit required for the continued operation of the Project such that the operation of the Project will not be interrupted or suspended.

Section 4.27.     Transactions With Affiliates and/or Members . Borrower will not enter into, or cause, suffer or permit to exist, any arrangement or contract with any of its affiliates or subsidiaries or members, in each case unless such arrangement or contract (i) is otherwise permitted by this Agreement, (ii) is in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such affiliate or subsidiary or member, as the case may be, and (iii) is on terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such affiliate or subsidiary or member than if such arrangement or contract had been negotiated in good faith on an arm's-length basis with a Person that is not an affiliate or subsidiary or member of the Borrower.

Section 4.28.     Management . Borrower will not consent to the replacement of the general manager of the Project or Borrower's manager(s) without the prior written consent of the Agent. In the event the general manager of the Project notifies Borrower that such general manager is leaving Borrower, Borrower will promptly notify the Agent along with all information regarding the proposed replacement general manager when available. Any new or replacement general manager of the Project shall be subject to the prior written approval of the Agent.
Section 4.29.     Material Contracts . Except to the extent as could not reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, the Borrower will not terminate, amend, modify, or waive any of its rights under (a) its Articles of organization, Operating Agreement or other organizational documents, or (b) any Material Contract.


ARTICLE V
CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

The obligation of Lenders to make any Loan hereunder, shall be subject to the following conditions precedent:

Section 5.01.     Initial Advance on Loans . Before or concurrently with the initial Borrowing by the Borrower on the Loans:

(ab) The Agent shall have received duly executed copies of each Loan Document;

(ac) The Agent shall have received copies (executed or certified as may be appropriate) of all resolutions, consent actions, legal documents or proceedings taken by the Borrower in connection with the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Notes, and the other Loan Documents to the extent the Agent may reasonably request;

(ad) The Agent shall have received copies of the Borrower's Articles of Organization and Operating Agreement, and any amendments thereto, certified in each instance by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary or equivalent and a Certificate of Good Standing from the North Dakota Secretary of State;

(ae) The Agent shall have received copies of resolutions of the Borrower's Board of Directors or





equivalent authorizing the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents to which it is a party and the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby together with specimen signatures of the persons authorized to execute such documents on Borrower's behalf, all certified in each instance by its Secretary or Assistant Secretary or equivalent;

(af) The Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Liens granted by the Mortgage, Security Agreement and the Control Agreements create perfected first priority security interests;

(ag) The Agent shall have received a duly executed Borrowing Base Certificate dated as of the Business Day preceding the Closing Date;

(ah) All legal matters incident to the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents shall be satisfactory to the Agent and its counsel;

(h)     The Agent shall have received the favorable written opinion of legal counsel to the Borrower with respect to the transactions described herein, in form and substance acceptable to the Agent;

(i)    The Agent has received all fees and other amounts due and payable on or prior to the Closing Date, including the Origination Fee and amounts for reimbursement or payment of all out-of-pocket expenses required to be reimbursed or paid by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement, under any other Loan Document, or any other agreement with Lenders;

(j)    The Agent has received copies of favorable UCC, tax, judgment, bankruptcy and fixture lien search reports (or other evidence of the same satisfactory to the Agent) in all necessary or appropriate jurisdictions and under all legal and trade names of Borrower and all other parties requested by the Agent, indicating that there are no prior Liens on any of the Collateral other than Permitted Liens;

(k)    Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Reports on all of the Real Estate, along with such further environmental review and audit reports as the Agent requests (which may include Phase II reports) all in form and content satisfactory to the Agent and establishing the environmental condition of the Real Estate as satisfactory to the Agent, and letters by the firms preparing such environmental reports authorizing the Agent and Lenders to rely on such reports;

(l)    Evidence satisfactory to the Agent that all necessary utilities are available to the Project, and a copy of each executed Utility Contract and the assignments thereof and consents thereto required in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of the foregoing in form and substance acceptable to the Agent;

(m)    Copies of certificates of insurance demonstrating the types, levels, deductibles, endorsements and other coverage parameter issues to the satisfaction of the Agent for casualty insurance, commercial general liability, an umbrella policy, business automobile liability insurance, environmental liability insurance, worker's compensation insurance, and permanent all risk property insurance, all as required under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, with all such insurance in full force and effect and approved by the Agent, in the exercise of its reasonable discretion, and naming the Agent as an additional insured and loss payee together with appropriate flood insurance, if the Real Estate is in a flood hazard area. In addition, Borrower shall provide to the Agent proof of insurance for business interruption/extra expense coverage for six months of operating expenses, and also directors/officers errors and omissions coverage in a minimum amount of $2,000,000.00. Such certificates of insurance must describe the types and amounts of insurance (property and liability) carried by Borrower, and in each case must name the Agent as loss payee or additional insured, as the case may be, and must include a stipulation that coverages will not be cancelled or diminished without at least 30 days' prior written notice to the Agent, together with a lender's loss payable endorsement;

(n)     The Agent has received and is satisfied with a commitment by the Title Company to issue





an ALTA mortgagee title insurance policy assuring Agent that the Mortgage creates a valid and enforceable encumbrance on the Real Estate, free and clear of all defects and encumbrances except Permitted Liens and containing: (A) a comprehensive endorsement (ALTA form 9); (B) a zoning endorsement (ALTA form 3.0) specifying an ethanol production facility as a permitted use for all of the parcels included in the Real Estate; (C) coverage against mechanic and materialmen's liens to the extent the mechanics' liens are not Permitted Liens, (D) an access endorsement (ALTA form 17), (E) a contiguity endorsement (ALTA form 19), (F) a tax parcel endorsement (ALTA Form 18), (G) survey location coverage, (H) a variable rate endorsement (ALTA form 6), (I) environmental lien endorsement, (J) a doing business endorsement, (K) a usury endorsement, (L) a revolving credit endorsement, and (M) deletion of any creditor's rights and arbitration provisions and such additional coverages and endorsements as the Agent may require; [EDITOR'S NOTE: Working with title company to just get an endorsement to our current policy.]

(o)    The Agent has received and is satisfied with three copies of a ALTA/ACSM survey prepared in accordance with the current accuracy standards jointly adopted by ALTA (American Land Title Association), ACSM (American Congress on Surveying and Mapping) and NSPS (National Society of Professional Surveyors) together with optional survey requirements #2 (vicinity map showing the property surveyed in reference to nearby highway(s) or major street intersections); #6 (identify setbacks); #7 (identify exterior dimensions of all existing and proposed buildings “As-Built”, including square footage of exterior footprint of all buildings, gross floor area of all buildings); #11 (location of utilities) and such other matters as may be reasonably required by the Agent. The survey shall show the location of all easements and encroachments onto or from the Real Estate that are visible on the Real Estate, known to the surveyor preparing the survey or of record, identifying easements of record by recording data. Such surveyor shall certify there are no easements or encroachments upon the Real Estate except as shown on the survey. Such survey shall be certified to the Agent and the Title Company in a manner reasonably satisfactory to Agent and the Title Company, and dated a date reasonably satisfactory to each of the Agent and the Title Company;

(p)    The Agent has received Federal Emergency Management Agency Standard Flood Hazard Determination Certificates certifying, among other things, that none of the Real Estate is located within a flood hazard area;

(q)    An as built appraisal performed by Natwick Associates Appraisal Services which shows the as-completed value of the Real Estate and Project addressed to and otherwise acceptable to the Agent and the Lenders;

(r)    A copy of each executed Material Contract and the assignments thereof and consents thereto required in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, all of the foregoing in form and substance acceptable to the Agent;

(s)    Copies of all Permits and other documents from the appropriate state, federal, city or county authority having jurisdiction over the Real Estate and the Project that provide to the reasonable satisfaction of the Agent that the Project complies in all material respects with all applicable Permits, ordinances, zoning, subdivision, platting, and land use requirements, without special variance or exception, and such other evidence as the Agent shall reasonably request to establish that the Project and the contemplated use and operation thereof are permitted by and comply in all material respects with all applicable use or other restrictions and requirements in prior conveyances, zoning ordinances, water shed district regulations and all other applicable laws or regulations, and governmental authorities having jurisdiction over the Project and provided further that with respect to compliance with environmental laws and regulations, evidence satisfactory to the Agent that the Project has obtained all applicable environmental permits for the construction and operation of the Project from the State of North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section ("NDOH") or the United States Environmental Protection Agency, or applicable department thereof, and, either (a) an independent emissions testing company engaged by the Agent has confirmed that the Project complies with the applicable emission requirements of the Permits, including all emission control efficiency requirements,





or (b) the Project has entered into a consent decree, consent order, consent agreement, or similar administrative action with the NDOH that authorizes continued operation of the Project;

(t)    Such other matters as the Agent may reasonably require.

In the event the Agent or Required Lenders waive any of the foregoing conditions precedent to the initial advance, Borrower agrees to take all steps required to satisfy the same within thirty (30) days of the funding of the initial Advance and further agree that failure to do so within such thirty (30) day period shall constitute an Event of Default.

Section 5.02.     All Advances . As of the time of each Advance or Declining Revolving Credit Loan hereunder:

(ai) Each of the representations and warranties of the Borrower set forth in Section 3.01 hereof shall be and remain true and correct `as of said time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty relates solely to an earlier date;

(aj) The Borrower shall be in full compliance with all of the terms and conditions hereof, and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would occur as a result of such Borrowing;

(ak) Such Borrowing shall not violate any order, judgment or decree of any court or other authority or any provision of law or regulation applicable to the Agent or the Lenders (including, without limitation, Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) as then in effect.

Each request for an Advance or Declining Revolving Credit Loan shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Advance or Declining Revolving Credit Loan as to the facts specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this Section 5.02.

ARTICLE VI
DEFAULTS AND REMEDIES

Section 6.01.     Events of Default . Any one or more of the following events shall constitute an event of default (each, an "Event of Default"):

(al) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due, by scheduled due date, maturity, acceleration or otherwise, any installment of principal and/or interest on any Note or any fee, expense or other sum owing under this Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

(am) (i)    If any of the representations or warranty set forth in Section 3.01 hereof shall fail to be and remain true and correct in all respects as of said time, except to the extent that any such representation or warranty relates solely to an earlier date or (ii) if any certificate, statement, representation, warranty or audit furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower in connection with this Agreement, including those contained herein, or as an inducement by the Borrower to enter into, modify, extend, or renew this Agreement shall prove to be false in any material respect, or if the Borrower shall have omitted the listing of a substantial contingent or unliquidated liability or claim against Borrower or, if on the date of execution of this Agreement there shall have been any materially adverse change in any of the facts disclosed by any such certificate, statement, representation, warranty or audit, which change shall not have been disclosed by the Borrower to the Agent at or prior to the time of execution; or

(an) If the Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any of the covenants found in Sections 4.01, 4.04, 4.06, 4.07, 4.08, 4.09, 4.11, 4.13, 4.15 or 4.17; or

(ao) If the Borrower shall default in the due performance or observance of any other covenant undertaken by them under the Loan Documents and such default shall not have been remedied within ten (10)





days after written notice thereof by the Agent to the Borrower; or

(ap) The Borrower shall (i) fail to pay any Debt, or any interest or premium thereon, when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration, demand or otherwise) and such failure shall continue after the applicable grace period, or (ii) fail to perform or observe any term, covenant, or condition on its part to be performed or observed under any agreement or instrument relating to any such Debt, when required to be performed or observed, if the effect of such failure is to accelerate, or permit the acceleration of, the maturity of such Debt, where the affected Debt exceeds $100,000.00 in the aggregate; or

(aq) The Borrower (i) shall generally not pay, or shall be unable to pay, or shall admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as such debts become due; or (ii) shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver, or trustee for it or for a substantial part of its assets; or (iii) shall commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy, reorganization, arrangement, readjustment of debt, dissolution, or liquidation law or statute of any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect; or (iv) shall have had any such petition or application filed or any such proceeding commenced against it and which remains undismissed for a period of thirty (30) days or more; or (v) shall take any corporate action indicating its consent to, approval of, or acquiescence in any such petition, application, proceeding, or order for relief or the appointment of a custodian, receiver, or trustee for all or any substantial part of its properties; or (vi) shall suffer any such custodianship, receivership, or trusteeship to continue undischarged for a period of thirty (30) days or more; or

(ar) Any judgment against the Borrower in excess of $100,000 or any attachment or other levy against the property of the Borrower with respect to a claim remains unpaid, stayed on appeal, undischarged, unbonded or not dismissed for a period of thirty (30) days; or

(as) This Agreement or any of the Loan Documents shall cease for any reason to be in full force and effect other than by reason of any action or inaction of the Agent or the Lenders, or the Borrower shall so assert in writing, or the security interests created by the Loan Documents shall cease to be enforceable or shall not have the priority purported to be created thereby other than by reason of any action or inaction by the Agent or the Lenders or the Borrower shall so assert in writing; or

(at) There shall occur the loss, theft, substantial damage to or destruction of any portion of the Collateral which, in the reasonable judgment of the Agent, is not adequately covered by insurance actually collected or in the process of collection, or the Borrower has not deposited with the Agent, in the manner provided for in the Loan Documents, funds which in the reasonable judgment of the Agent are sufficient to restore the Collateral to an equal or better capacity and functionality or there shall occur the exercise of the right of condemnation or eminent domain for any portion of the Collateral which by itself or with other such exercises of the right of condemnation or eminent domain has a Material Adverse Effect; or

(j)    The occurrence of any event or transaction or series of events or transactions in connection with or as a consequence of which (i) the voting equity interests in the Borrower entitling the holders thereof to cast more than 50% of the total votes that may be cast by all holders of Borrower's voting equity interests shall cease to be owned beneficially by the holder or holders of such voting stock as of the date of this Agreement, or (ii) Borrower, or all or substantially all of the assets of Borrower, shall be acquired by, or shall be combined with, any “person” (as defined in Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date of this Agreement); or

(k)    Borrower transfers, sells, assigns, or conveys all or such part of its assets or property which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect other than in the ordinary course of Borrower's business consistent with past practices without the prior written consent of the Agent; or

(l)    Borrower replaces the general manager of the Project without the prior written consent of the Agent; or






(m)    The termination, suspension or non-renewal of any Permit which causes the Project to cease operations or otherwise which could have a Material Adverse Effect in the discretion or determination of the Agent; or

(n)    Borrower fails to perform or observe any term, covenant, or condition on its part to be performed or observed under any agreement, lease or instrument to which Borrower is a party which results in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(o)    A breach by Borrower or the occurrence of a default under any Financial Instrument Agreement or any other loan agreement, promissory note, security agreement or other agreement, contract, lease or document between Borrower and Agent or any Lender or any affiliate or subsidiary of any Lender, beyond any applicable grace or notice and cure period; or

(p)    Borrower fails to bring the Declining Revolving Credit Loans to within the Maximum Availability on each Reduction Date; or

(q)    any default (after giving effect to any applicable grace period) by Borrower under any Material Contract or any Material Contract terminates for any reason without the prior written consent of the Agent; or

(r)    any event occurs which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect; or

(s)    The filing of any Liens in excess of $100,000.00 individually or in the aggregate, including mechanics', construction, materialmens' or similar liens, upon the Real Estate and/or against the Project which are not released or bonded against (in a manner satisfactory to the Agent) for a period in excess of thirty (30) days after the filing date of such Lien, unless such Lien is being contested by the Borrower in good faith by appropriate proceedings which prevent foreclosure and has established reserves which the Agent reasonably deems sufficient to satisfy such lien in the event of an adverse determination; or

(t)    On or before December 31, 2012, Borrower is still operating under its Permit to Construct air permit issued by the North Dakota Department of Health, Environment Health Section, Division of Air Quality and has not been issued a Permit to Operate air permit from the North Dakota Department of Health, Environment Health Section, Division of Air Quality.

Section 6.02.     Remedies . Upon the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default, Lenders' commitments and obligations of Lenders to make Loans shall automatically stop until cured or waived or until the Loans are accelerated pursuant to this Section 6.02. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default other than an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(f) the Agent may by notice to the Borrower, declare all of the Obligations (as well as any other Debt of Borrower to the Lenders) then outstanding to be and become due and payable in full, together with interest thereon, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default described in Section 6.01(f) all Obligations (as well as any other Debt of the Borrower to the Lenders) then outstanding shall immediately become due and payable in full, together with interest thereon, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower. The Agent may resort to any and all security and to any remedy available under the Loan Documents or otherwise existing at law or in equity for the collection of all outstanding Obligations and the enforcement of the covenants and provisions of the Loan Documents against the Borrower. The Agent's resort to any remedy, shall not prevent the concurrent and subsequent employment of any joint or several remedy or claim against Borrower. The Agent may rescind any acceleration of the Obligations without in any way waiving or affecting its right to accelerate the Obligations in the future. Acceptance of partial payment or partial performance shall not in any way affect or rescind any acceleration of the Obligations made by the Agent. Any collections or payments made after the Agent commences collection efforts shall, after payment of all expenses relating thereto, be applied (i) first to





interest and principal on the Loans in such manner and order as is provided for in this Agreement, and in the absence of any such provision, as determined by the Agent in its sole discretion, and (ii) next to any Debt owing to First National under any cash management or deposit account relationships with Borrower and (iii) last to any other Debt owed to Lenders or retained by Lenders as cash collateral for Obligations or draws which may arise after such date.

Section 6.03.     Set Off . In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted under applicable law and not by way of limitation of any such rights, upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, each Lender and each subsequent holder of any Note is hereby authorized by the Borrower at any time or from time to time, without notice to the Borrower or to any other Person, any such notice being hereby expressly waived, to set off and to appropriate and to apply any and all deposits (general or special, including, but not limited to, indebtedness evidenced by certificates of deposit, whether matured or unmatured, but not including trust accounts, and in whatever currency denominated) and any other indebtedness at any time held or owing by such Lender or that subsequent holder to or for the credit or the account of Borrower whether or not matured, against and on account of the obligations and liabilities of the Borrower to Lenders or that subsequent holder under the Loan Documents, including, but not limited to, all claims of any nature of description arising out of or connected with the Loan Documents, irrespective of whether or not (a) such Lender or that subsequent holder shall have made any demand hereunder or (b) the principal of or the interest on the Loans or Notes and other amounts due hereunder shall have become due and payable pursuant to Section 6.02 and although said obligations and liabilities, or any of them, may be contingent or unmatured.

Section 6.04.     Waiver, Etc . Any waiver of an Event of Default by the Required Lenders shall not extend to or affect any subsequent Default, whether it be the same Event of Default or not, or impair any right consequent thereon. No failure or delay or discontinuance on the part of the Agent or Lenders in exercising any power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any such right or power preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power thereunder or be deemed an election of remedies or a waiver of any other right, power, privilege, option or remedy. All remedies herein and by law afforded will be cumulative and will be available to the Agent until the debt of the Borrower hereunder is fully and indefeasibly paid.

ARTICLE VII
MISCELLANEOUS

Section 7.01.     Notices . All notices, requests, consents, and other communications directed to a party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given to that party when hand delivered, delivered by next day courier or three Business Days after being mailed, certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, to the address listed on that party's signature page to this Agreement.

Section 7.02.     Survival of Representations, Warranties and Agreements . Notwithstanding any investigation made by the Lenders, all representations, warranties, agreements and statements made by the Borrower in or under this Agreement shall survive the making of the loans provided for hereunder. All statements by the Borrower contained in any certificate or other instrument delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under this Agreement shall constitute representations and warranties made by the Borrower hereunder.

Section 7.03.     Binding Effect; Severability . This Agreement shall continue until the payment in full of all Obligations and the termination of all commitments on the part of Lenders to extend or maintain the extension of credit to or for the benefit of the Borrower. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Agent and the Lenders and their successors and assigns and all other holders of the Notes or any part thereof, or of any other indebtedness provided for herein, and all rights conferred upon the Lenders may be exercised by its successors and assigns and by all such other holders. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future laws effective during the term of this Agreement, such provisions shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part of this Agreement, and the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance from this Agreement.

Section 7.04.     Transfer or Assignment; Participations . This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon





the successors and assigns of the parties hereto; provided, however, that Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or obligations under this Agreement or any Loan Document without the prior written consent of the Agent, and any such assignment or transfer without such consent shall be void. Lenders may assign their Commitments or sell participations in the Loans with the prior written consent of the Agent but without notice to Borrower. In addition, the Agent may at any time in its discretion, but shall not be obligated to, purchase any or all of any Lender's interest in any Note at the then outstanding principal balance along with accrued and unpaid interest on the applicable Note payable to such Lender. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, shall be construed to confer upon any Person (other than the parties hereto, their respective successors and assigns permitted hereby, each participant and, to the extent contemplated hereby, the affiliates of the Lender) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or by reason of this Agreement.

Section 7.05.     Legal Fees, Other Costs and Indemnification . The Borrower agrees to pay the reasonable attorneys fees and disbursements of the Agent in connection with the preparation and execution of this Agreement and the Loan Documents, and any amendment, waiver or consent related hereto, whether or not the transactions contemplated herein are consummated, and all reasonable recording, filing, title insurance or other fees, costs and taxes incident to perfecting a lien upon the Collateral. The Borrower further agrees to pay the reasonable attorney's fees and disbursements of the Agent and the Lenders in connection with the enforcement of the Loan Documents and to indemnify the Agent and the Lenders and any security trustee and their respective directors, officers and employees, against all losses, claims, damages, penalties, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including, without limitation, all expenses of litigation or preparation therefor, whether or not the indemnified person is a party thereto) which any of them may pay or incur arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any Loan Document or any of the transactions contemplated thereby or the direct or indirect application or proposed application of the proceeds of any Advance or Declining Revolving Credit Loan except as may arise from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party claiming indemnification. The Borrower upon demand by the Agent, at any time, shall reimburse each such indemnified party for any legal or other expenses incurred in connection with investigating or defending against any of the foregoing except if the same is directly due to the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such indemnified party.

Section 7.06.     Amendments . Any provision of the Loan Documents may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by (a) the Borrower (b) the Required Lenders, and (c) the Agent; provided that the Agent will not:

(a)    increase any Total Revolving Credit Commitment, Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment of any Lender, or extend the Termination Date, Maturity "Date or any Reduction Date without the written consent of each Lender;

(b)    reduce the principal amount of any Loan or reduce the rate of interest thereon, or reduce any fees payable hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender;

(c)    postpone the scheduled date of payment of the principal amount of any Loan or any interest thereon, or any fees payable hereunder, or reduce the amount of, waive or excuse any such payment, or postpone the scheduled date of expiration of any Total Revolving Credit Commitment or Total Declining Revolving Credit Commitment, without the written consent of each Lender;

(d)    change any of the provisions of this Section or the percentage in the definition of the term “Required Lenders” or any other provision hereof specifying the number or percentage of Lenders required to waive, amend or modify any rights hereunder or make any determination or grant any consent hereunder, without the written consent of each Lender; or

(e)    release any Collateral for the Loans prior to the time the Loans are indefeasibly paid in full and the Lenders' commitment to make Advances and Revolving Credit Advances has terminated without the written consent of each Lender. Any provision of the this Agreement or any other Loan Document may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by (a) the Borrower, (b) the Agent and (c) the Lenders.






Section 7.07.     Setoffs . Each Lender agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right of setoff or counterclaim or otherwise, receive payment of a proportion of the aggregate amount of principal and interest owing with respect to the Notes held by it which is greater than the proportion received by any other Lender in respect of the aggregate amount of all principal and interest owing with respect to the Notes held by such other Lender, the provisions of Section 2.06 above will apply. The Borrower agrees, to the fullest extent it may effectively do so under applicable law, that any holder of a participation in a Note, whether or not acquired, pursuant to the foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of setoff or counterclaim and other rights with respect to such participation as fully as if such holder of a participation were a direct creditor of the Borrower in the amount of such participation. No right or action of any Lender under this Section with regard to enforcing sharing of setoffs shall result in any setoff being applied at less than the full amount thereof to the indebtedness of the Borrower to any one or more Lenders.

Section 7.08.     Entire Agreement . The Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding of the parties thereto with respect to the subject matter thereof and any prior or contemporaneous agreements, whether written or oral, with respect thereto are superseded hereby. The following statement is given pursuant to Nebraska law: A CREDIT AGREEMENT MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE ENFORCEABLE UNDER NEBRASKA LAW. TO PROTECT YOU (BORROWER) AND US (LENDER) FROM ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS OR DISAPPOINTMENTS, ANY CONTRACT, PROMISE, UNDERTAKING, OR OFFER TO FOREBEAR REPAYMENT OF MONEY OR TO MAKE ANY OTHER FINANCIAL ACCOMMODATION IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR GRANT OR EXTENSION OF CREDIT, OR ANY AMENDMENT OF, CANCELLATION OF, WAIVER OF, OR SUBSTITUTION FOR ANY OR ALL OF THE TERMS OR PROVISIONS OF ANY INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT EXECUTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS LOAN OF MONEY OR GRANT OR EXTENSION OF CREDIT, MUST BE IN WRITING TO BE EFFECTIVE. All of the terms of the other Loan Documents are incorporated in and made part of this Agreement by reference; provided, however, that to the extent of any direct conflict between this Agreement and such other Loan Documents, this Agreement shall prevail and govern.

Section 7.09.     Collateral Protection Notice . The following notice is given to Borrower: Unless the Borrower provides evidence of the insurance coverage required by the Borrower's agreement with the Agent and the Lenders, the Lenders may purchase insurance at the Borrower's expense to protect the Agent's and Lenders' interests in the Collateral. This insurance may, but need not, protect the Borrower's interests. The coverage that the Lenders purchases may not pay any claim that the Borrower makes or any claim that is made against the Borrower in connection with the Collateral. The Borrower may later cancel any insurance purchased by the Lenders, but only after providing evidence that the Borrower has obtained insurance as required by in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. If the Lenders purchase insurance for the Collateral, the Borrower will be responsible for the costs of that insurance, including the insurance premium, interest and any other charges the Agent may impose in connection with the placement of the insurance, until the effective date of the cancellation or expiration of the insurance. The costs of the insurance may be added to the Borrower's total outstanding balance or Obligations. The costs of the insurance may be more than the cost of insurance the Borrower may be able to obtain on its own.

Section 7.10.     Governing Law . This Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the rights and duties of the parties hereto, shall be construed and determined in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Nebraska.

Section 7.11.     Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial . The Borrower hereby submits to the nonexclusive jurisdiction of the United States District Court for the District of Nebraska and of any Nebraska state court sitting in the city of Omaha for purposes of all legal proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the other Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby. The Borrower irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. The Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders hereby irrevocably waive any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to any Loan Document or the transactions contemplated thereby.






Section 7.12.     Execution in Counterparts; Faxes . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, and by the different parties on different counterparts, each of which when executed shall be deemed an original but all such counterparts taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. This Agreement and any of the other Loan Documents may be validly executed and delivered by fax or other electronic means and by use of multiple counterpart signature pages.

Section 7.13.     USA Patriot Act Notice . Each Lender and the Agent (for itself and not on behalf of any Lender) hereby notifies the Borrower that pursuant to the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56, signed into law October 26, 2001) (the “Act”), it is required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies the Borrower, which information includes the name and address of the Borrower and other information that will allow such Lender or the Agent, as applicable, to identify the Borrower in accordance with the Act.

Section 7.14.     Exclusion of Consequential and Special Damages . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, neither the Agent nor any Lender will be liable for, nor will any measure of damages against the Agent or any Lender include, under any theory of liability (whether legal, strict or equitable), any indirect, consequential, incidental, special or punitive damages or amounts for business interruption, loss of income, revenue, profits or savings arising out of or relating to their performance or non-performance under this Agreement or any Loan Document, and Borrower hereby waives any right to pursue or recover any of the foregoing damages.

Section 7.15.     Farm Credit Law . Borrower acknowledges and agrees that, to the extent the provisions of the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987, including 12 U.S.C. §§ 2199 through 2202e, and the implementing Farm Credit Administration regulations, 12 C.F.R. § 617.7000, et seq. (collectively, the “Farm Credit Law”) apply to Borrower or to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Borrower hereby irrevocably waives all Borrower Rights, including all statutory or regulatory rights of a borrower to disclosure of effective interest rates, differential interest rates, review of credit decisions, distressed loan restructuring, and rights of first refusal. Borrower acknowledges and agrees that the waiver of Borrower Rights provided by this Section is knowingly and voluntarily made after Borrower has consulted with legal counsel of its choice and has been represented by counsel of its choice in connection with the negotiation of this Agreement and the waiver of such Borrower set forth in this Section. Borrower acknowledges that its waiver of Borrower Rights set forth in this Section is based on its recognition that such waiver is material to induce commercial banks and other non-Farm Credit System institutions to participate in the extensions of credit contemplated by this Agreement and to provide extensions of credit to Borrower. Nothing contained in this Section, nor the delivery to Borrower of any summary of any rights under, or any notice pursuant to, the Farm Credit Law shall be deemed to be, or be constructed to indicate the determination or agreement by any Borrower, any Agent, or any Lender that the Farm Credit Law, or any rights thereunder, are or will be applicable to any Borrower or to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. It is the intent of the parties that the waiver of Borrower Rights contained in this Section complies with and meets all of the requirements of 12 C.F.R. § 617.7010(c).

ARTICLE VIII
THE AGENT
Section 8.01.     Appointment and Authorization of Agent . Each Lender hereby appoints First National Bank of Omaha as the Agent under the Loan Documents and hereby authorizes the Agent to take such action as Agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers under the Loan Documents as are delegated to the Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

Section 8.02     Agent and its Affiliates . The Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents as any other Lender and may exercise or refrain from exercising the same as though it were not the Agent, and the Agent and its affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not the Agent under the Loan Documents. The term " Lender " as used herein and in all other Loan Documents, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, includes the Agent in its individual capacity as a Lender.

Section 8.03     Action by Agent . The obligations of the Agent under the Loan Documents are only those expressly set forth therein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall not be required to take





any action hereunder with respect to any Default or Event of Default, except as expressly provided in Section 6.02. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, the Agent shall take such action with respect to the enforcement of the Liens on the Collateral under the Loan Documents and the preservation and protection thereof as it shall be directed to take by the Required Lenders, but unless and until the Required Lenders have given such direction the Agent shall take or refrain from taking such actions as it reasonably deems appropriate, provided, however, that the Agent will not take any action without the consent of the Required Lenders contrary to the provisions of Sections 6.02, 6.04 or 6.06. In no event, however, shall the Agent be required to take any action in violation of applicable law or of any provision of any Loan Document, and the Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder or under any other Loan Document unless it shall be first indemnified to its reasonable satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all costs, expense, and liability which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action. The Agent shall be entitled to assume that no Default or Event of Default exists unless notified to the contrary by a Lender or the Borrower. In all cases in which this Agreement and the other Loan Documents do not require the Agent to take certain actions, the Agent shall be fully justified in using its discretion in failing to take or in taking any action hereunder and thereunder.

Section 8.04.     Consultation with Experts . The Agent may consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts reasonably selected by it and shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

Section 8.05     Liability of Agent; Credit Decision . Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents, or employees shall be liable for any action taken or not taken by it in connection with the Loan Documents (a) with the consent or at the request of the Required Lenders, (b) in the absence of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct or (c) consistent with and not in breach of the Loan Documents. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Agent shall not be subject to any fiduciary or other implied duties, regardless of whether an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing. The Agent shall disclose to Lenders any information which could be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower, but shall not be liable for the failure to disclose any other information relating to the Borrower or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates that is communicated to or obtained by the Agent or any of the Agent's affiliates in any capacity. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, agents or employees shall be responsible for or have any duty to ascertain, inquire into or verify (a) any statement, warranty or representation made in connection with this Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Advance or Declining Revolving Credit Advance; (b) the performance or observance of any of the covenants or agreements of the Borrower contained herein or in any other Loan Document; (c) the satisfaction of any condition specified in Article V hereof, except receipt of items required to be delivered to the Agent; or (d) the validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability, perfection, value, worth or collectability hereof or of any other Loan Document or of the Liens provided for thereunder or of any other documents or writing furnished in connection with any Loan Document or of the Collateral; and the Agent makes no representation of any kind or character with respect to any such matter mentioned in this sentence. The Agent may execute any of its duties under any of the Loan Documents by or through employees, agents, and attorneys-in-fact and shall not be answerable to the Lenders, the Borrower or any other person for the default or misconduct of any such agents or attorneys-in-fact selected with reasonable care. The Agent shall not incur any liability by acting in reliance upon any notice, consent, certificate, other document or statement (whether written or oral) reasonably believed by it to be genuine or to be sent by the proper party or parties. In particular and without limiting any of the foregoing, the Agent shall have no responsibility for confirming the existence or worth of any Collateral or the accuracy of any Borrowing Base Certificate, compliance certificate or other document or instrument received by it under the Loan Documents and shall be entitled to rely exclusively on Borrowing Base Certificates prepared by the Borrower in taking any action or calculation with respect to the Borrowing Base. The Agent may treat the owner of any Note as the holder thereof until written notice of transfer shall have been filed with the Agent signed by such owner in form satisfactory to the Agent. Each Lender acknowledges that it has independently and without reliance on the Agent or any other Lender, and based upon such information, investigations and inquiries as it deems appropriate, made its own credit analysis and decision to extend credit to the Borrower in the manner set forth in the Loan Documents. It shall be the responsibility of each Lender to keep itself informed as to the creditworthiness of the Borrower and the value of the Collateral, and the Agent shall have no liability to any Lender with respect thereto.

Section 8.06.     Costs and Expenses . To the extent not paid or reimbursed pursuant to Section 2.14 or 7.05





of this Agreement, each Lender agrees to reimburse the Agent for all reasonable and customary out-of-pocket costs and expenses (other than attorneys' fees) suffered or incurred by Agent or any security trustee in performing its duties hereunder and under the other Loan Documents or in the exercise of any right or power imposed or conferred upon the Agent hereby or thereby (except to the extent that such costs and expenses arise out of the Agent's or such security trustee's gross negligence or willful misconduct), all such costs and expenses shall be borne by the Lenders ratably in accordance with their respective Percentages.

Section 8.07.     Indemnity . The Lenders other than First National shall ratably, in accordance with their respective Percentages, indemnify and hold the Agent, and its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives harmless from and against any liabilities, losses, costs or expenses suffered or incurred by it or by any security trustee to any third party not a Lender or the Borrower or any affiliate thereof in connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, regardless of when asserted or arising, except to the extent they are promptly reimbursed for the same by the Borrower or out of the proceeds of the Collateral and except to the extent that any event giving rise to a claim was caused by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the party seeking to be indemnified or arising out of the Agent's breach of Section 8.03. The obligations of the Lenders under this Section and Section 8.06 above shall survive termination of this Agreement.

Section 8.08.     Resignation of Agent and Successor Agent . The Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation of the Agent, the Required Lenders shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within thirty (30) days after the retiring Agent's giving of notice of resignation, then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders, appoint a successor Agent, which shall be any Lender hereunder or any commercial bank organized under the laws of the United States of America or of any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $100,000,000. Upon the acceptance of its appointment as the Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights and duties of the retiring Agent under the Loan Documents, and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and obligations thereunder. After any retiring Agent's resignation hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 8.08 and all protective provisions of the other Loan Documents shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent.

[signature pages to follow]









IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date and year first hereinabove written.

 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
By: /s/ Ambrose Hoff
 
Title: Secretary
 
 
 
By: /s/ Gerald Bachmeier
 
Title: Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
By: /s/ Kent Anderson
 
Title: Chief Financial Officer


Borrower's address for notices:

3682 Highway 8 South
P.O. Box 11
Richardton, North Dakota 58652-0011
Attention:    
Telephone:    
Telefax:    






 
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF OMAHA, as Agent and a Lender
 
 
 
By: /s/ Fallon Savage
 
Name: Fallon Savage
 
Title: Vice President
 
 
 
Address: 1620 Dodge Street
 
Stop 1050
 
Omaha, Nebraska 68197
 
Attention: Fallon Savage
 
Telephone: 402-602-3031
 
Telefax: 402-602-3519








 
AMARILLO NATIONAL BANK
 
 
 
By: /s/ Craig L. Sanders
 
Name: Craig L. Sanders
 
Title: Executive Vice President
 
 
 
Address: 410 South Taylor
 
   Amarillo, TX 79101
 
 
 
Attention: Craig Sanders
 
Telephone: (806) 378-8244
 
Telefax: (806) 345-1663






 
BANK OF NORTH DAKOTA
 
 
 
By: /s/ Lori Gabriel
 
Name: Lori Gabriel
 
Title: Loan Officer
 
 
 
Address: 1200 Memorial Hwy
 
 PO Box 5509
 
 Bismarck, ND 58506-5509
 
Attention: Lori Gabriel
 
Telephone: 701-328-5670
 
Telefax: 701-328-5731







 
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF MANDAN, ACA, and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Farm Credit Services of Mandan, PCA and Farm Credit Services of Mandan, FLCA
 
 
 
By: /s/ Rod Bachmeier
 
Name: Rod Bachmeier
 
Title: VP-Customer Operations
 
 
 
Address: 1600 Old Red Trail
 
Mandan, ND 58554
 
 
 
Attention: Aaron Vetter
 
Telephone: 701-663-6595 Ext 4304
 
Telefax: 701-667-4504
 
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF MANDAN, PCA
 
 
 
By: /s/ Rod Bachmeier
 
Name: Rod Bachmeier
 
Title: VP-Customer Operations
 
 
 
Address: 1600 Old Red Trail
 
Mandan, ND 58554
 
 
 
Attention: Aaron Vetter
 
Telephone: 701-663-6595 Ext 4304
 
Telefax: 701-667-4504
 
FARM CREDIT SERVICES OF MANDAN, FLCA
 
 
 
By: /s/ Rod Bachmeier
 
Name: Rod Bachmeier
 
Title: VP-Customer Operations
 
 
 
Address: 1600 Old Red Trail
 
Mandan, ND 58554
 
 
 
Attention: Aaron Vetter
 
Telephone: 701-663-6595 Ext 4304
 
Telefax: 701-667-4504






 
FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF LIBERAL
 
 
 
By: /s/ Tim Sadler, SVP
 
Name: Tim Sadler
 
Title: Senior Vice President
 
 
 
Address: 1700 N Lincoln St.
 
Liberal, KS 67901
 
 
 
Attention:
 
Telephone: 620-624-1971
 
Telefax: 620-624-9639






Exhibit A
LENDERS AND COMMITMENTS



Lender
Revolving Credit Loan Commitments
Initial Declining Revolving Credit Loan Commitments*
Term Loan Commitments
Lenders' Total Commitment
First National Bank of Omaha
$3,822,500.00
$3,189,708.00
$12,198,780.00
$19,210,988.00
Amarillo National Bank
$453,000.00
$452,800.00
$1,811,200.00
$2,717,000.00
Bank of North Dakota
$453,000.00
$909,000.00
$3,638,000.00
$5,000,000.00
Farm Credit Services of Mandan, PCA
$271,500.00
N/A
N/A
$271,500.00
Farm Credit Services of Mandan, FLCA
N/A
$271,500
$1,086,000.00
$1,357,500.00
First National Bank of Liberal
N/A
$176,992.00
$1,266,020.00
$1,443,012.00
 
 
 
 
 
Totals:
$5,000,000
$5,000,000
$20,000,000
$30,000,000

The Declining Revolving Credit Commitments will reduce to each Lender's Percentage of the Maximum Availability on each Reduction Date.









Exhibit B-1

REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$________________                                    ______________, 2012

For value received, the undersigned, RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company (" Borrower "), promises to pay to the order of ________________________, a national banking association (the " Lender ", which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), in lawful money of the United States of America, at such address as is required by the Agent, the principal sum of _____________________ and __/100 Dollars ($___________________) or, if different, the principal amount outstanding under Section 2.01(a)(i) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.

This Revolving Credit Note (the " Note ") is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Agent, the Lender and the other Lenders party thereto (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time (the " Credit Agreement "). To the extent of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.
    
The termination of the Credit Agreement or the occurrence of an Event of Default shall entitle the Agent to declare the then outstanding principal balance hereof, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note to be, and the same shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without notice to or demand on the Borrower, all of which the Borrower waives.

Time is of the essence with respect to this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, each Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, and any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consents to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Agent from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.

This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof giving effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Note as of the date first above written.

 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:





Exhibit B-2

DECLINING REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

$________________                                    _____________, 2012

For value received, the undersigned, RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company (" Borrower ") promises to pay to the order of ___________________________ (the " Lender "; which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), in lawful money of the United States of America, at such address as is required by the Agent, the principal sum of _________________ and __/100 Dollars ($________________), or, if different, the principal amount outstanding under Section 2.01(a)(ii) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.
    
This Declining Revolving Credit Note (the " Note ") is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Agent, the Lender and the other Lenders party thereto (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time (the " Credit Agreement "). To the extent of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement, including, but not limited to, payments required on each Reduction Date to bring the Declining Revolving Credit Loans within the Maximum Availability on each such Reduction Date.

The termination of the Credit Agreement or the occurrence of an Event of Default shall entitle the Agent to declare the then outstanding principal balance hereof, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note to be, and the same shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without notice to or demand on the Borrower, all of which the Borrower waives.

Time is of the essence with respect to this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, and any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consents to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Agent from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.

This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof giving effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.
    
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Note as of the date first above written.

 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:





EXHIBIT B-3

TERM NOTE

$_____________                                    _____________, 2012

For value received, the undersigned, RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC, a North Dakota limited liability company (" Borrower ") promises to pay to the order of _______________________________ (the " Lender "; which term shall include any subsequent holder hereof), in lawful money of the United States of America, at such address as is required by the Agent, the principal sum of _____________ and __/100 Dollars ($________________), or, if different, the principal amount outstanding under Section 2.01(a)(iii) of the Credit Agreement referred to below.

This Term Note (the " Note ") is issued pursuant to, and is subject to the terms and conditions of, the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated on or about the date hereof, among the Borrower, the Agent, Lender and the other Lenders party thereto (as the same may be amended, renewed, restated, replaced, consolidated or otherwise modified from time to time (the " Credit Agreement "). To the extent of any conflict between the terms and conditions of this Note and the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement shall prevail and govern. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Note have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

Interest shall accrue on the outstanding principal balance of this Note as provided in the Credit Agreement. Principal, interest and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note shall be payable as provided in the Credit Agreement.

The termination of the Credit Agreement or the occurrence of an Event of Default shall entitle the Agent to declare the then outstanding principal balance hereof, all accrued interest thereon, and all other amounts, if any, payable in respect of this Note to be, and the same shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without notice to or demand on the Borrower, all of which the Borrower waives.

Time is of the essence with respect to this Note. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Borrower, for itself and its successors and assigns, waives presentment, demand, protest, notice of dishonor, and any and all other notices, demands and consents in connection with the delivery, acceptance, performance, default or enforcement of this Note, and consents to any extensions of time, renewals, releases of any parties to or guarantors of this Note, waivers and any other modifications that may be granted or consented to by the Agent from time to time in respect of the time of payment or any other provision of this Note.

This Note shall be governed by the laws of the State of Nebraska, without regard to any choice of law rule thereof giving effect to the laws of any other jurisdiction.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Borrower has executed and delivered this Note as of the date first above written.
 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:






Exhibit C

Permitted Liens

Original Filing Number
Location of Filing
Secured Party
Debtor
Collateral
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
10/1/622432
North Dakota Secretary of State
Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation
Red Trail Energy, LLC
One Caterpillar 930H wheel loader, Serial Number DHC02037
 
 
 
 
 








Exhibit D


COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE


This Compliance Certificate, dated as of ______________ (the “ Certificate ”), is delivered pursuant to Section 4.11(f) of the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated as of _______________, 2012 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Red Trail Energy, LLC (the " Borrower ") and First National Bank of Omaha ("Agent") as Agent and a Lender and the Lenders party thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Certificate have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned certifies as follows:

1.    The undersigned is the President, controller or treasurer of the Borrower and is authorized to execute and deliver this certificate on its behalf.

2.    Attached are the financial statements of the Borrower as of and for the period and for the fiscal year-to-date ended on __________________ (the " Current Financials ").

3.    The Current Financials have been prepared in accordance with GAAP and otherwise in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreement.

4.    Events of Default (check one):

___    The undersigned does not have knowledge of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement.

___    The undersigned has knowledge of the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default under the Credit Agreement and attached hereto is a statement of the facts with respect thereto.

    
5.    Financial Covenants:

(a)
Pursuant to Section 4.07 of the Credit Agreement, as of __________, the Borrower's Working Capital was $____________, which [satisfies] [does not satisfy] the requirement in such Section that, beginning on ____________, 20__, and at all times thereafter, the Borrower maintains an excess of current assets over current liabilities (plus the Maximum Availability at such time) of not less than $5,000,000.00.

(c)
Pursuant to Section 4.09 of the Credit Agreement, for the fiscal year-to-date period ending _________, the Borrower has made capital expenditures in an aggregate amount of $________, which [satisfies] [does not satisfy] the requirement in such Section that the Borrower not make any expenditures for fixed or capital assets if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate of all such expenditures by the Borrower exceeds $4,100,00.00 for the Borrower's 2012 fiscal year and$1,000,000.00 during each fiscal year thereafter.

(d)
Pursuant to Section 4.08 of the Credit Agreement as of the fiscal quarter ending ___________, the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, for the four fiscal quarters then ended, was ___ to 1, which [satisfies] [does not satisfy] the requirement in such Section that such ratio not exceed 1.15 to 1.

(e)
Pursuant to Section 4.12 of the Credit Agreement the Borrower is restricted from incurring any Debt other than the Permitted Debt. Subsection (e) of the definition of Permitted Debt permits Debt for





Borrowed Money in an aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed $100,000. The Borrower has Debt for Borrowed Money under Subsection (e) of the definition of Permitted Debt outstanding in the sum of $____________ which is [in compliance with] [is not in compliance with] such Subsection as of the fiscal quarter ending ___________.

(f)
Pursuant to Section 4.13 of the Credit Agreement the Borrower is restricted from redeeming or purchasing outstanding membership interests in Borrower in an aggregate amount exceeding $100,000 in any fiscal year. Borrower has made purchases/redemptions of membership interest in an aggregate amount of $________, which [satisfies] [does not satisfy] the requirement in such Section that the Borrower not make any such purchases/redemptions if, after giving effect thereto, the aggregate of all such purchases or redemptions by the Borrower exceeds $100,000.00 for the Borrower's fiscal year.

6.    Attached hereto are all relevant facts in reasonable detail to evidence, and the computations of the financial covenants referred to above. These computations were made in accordance with GAAP applied on a basis consistent with the accounting principles reflected in the annual financial statements delivered to the Agent dated as of ______________.

7.    This Certificate may be conclusively relied upon by Agent and the Lenders. This Certificate may be validly executed and delivered by fax or other electronic means, and by use of multiple counterpart signature pages.

[signature page(s) to follow]






IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Certificate as of the date first written above.

    
 
RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:
 
 
 
By:
 
Title:







Exhibit E


BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

(for the period ending _______)

This Borrowing Base Certificate (the “ Certificate ”) is delivered pursuant to Section 4.11(c) of the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated as of ______________, 2012 (the “ Credit Agreement ”), among Red Trail Energy, LLC (the " Borrower ") and First National Bank of Omaha ("Agent") as Agent and a Lender and the Lenders party thereto, as the same may be amended from time to time. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Certificate have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement.

The undersigned certifies that he or she is the President, treasurer, corporate controller or other officer of the Borrower and, as such, is authorized to execute and deliver this Certificate on behalf of the Borrower, and that the Borrowing Base for the Borrower, at the end of the period indicated above, is $________________, and that the such Borrowing Base was determined as set forth in the spreadsheet attached hereto as Exhibit A to this Certificate.

This Certificate is delivered to and may be conclusively relied upon by the Agent and Lenders.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate on behalf of the Borrower on ________________, 20___.

RED TRAIL ENERGY, LLC



By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:




By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:


By:__________________________________________
Name:
Title:







Schedule 3.01(f)
(Litigation)


None









Schedule 3.01(p)
(Solvency Certificate)

CERTIFICATE REGARDING SOLVENCY
The undersigned, as a duly authorized officer of Red Trail Energy, LLC (“Company”) familiar with the financial condition, business and affairs of Company hereby gives this certificate on behalf of the Company in his/her capacity as such officer, to induce Lenders to consummate certain financial accommodations with Company pursuant to the terms of the First Amended and Restated Construction Loan Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, among Company, the Agent and Lenders (the “Loan Agreement”). Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Loan Agreement.

Company hereby certifies that:

1.    The undersigned is the _________________ of Company and is authorized and empowered to issue this certificate for and on behalf of Company;

2.    He is familiar with the business and financial affairs of Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the transactions contemplated by the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents and all of the matters hereinafter described.

3.    He has reviewed the reports and financial statements of Company delivered to the Agent (collectively, the “Financial Reports”); and he is familiar with the process through which such financial reports and statements were generated.
    
4.    The Financial Reports accurately present the financial condition, results of operations, and changes in cash flows of Company for the periods covered thereby, based on the assumptions set forth therein, which assumptions are reasonable based on historical experience and presently known facts. The practices followed in preparing the Financial Reports do not materially differ from practices followed by Company in the preparation of Financial Reports previously submitted to the Agent.

5.    No material adverse change has occurred in Company's financial condition, operations or prospects since the date of such Financial Reports.

6.    On and as of the date hereof, both before and after giving effect to the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Company (i) is and will be Solvent (as defined below); (ii) is and will continue to be able to pay its debts as they mature; and (iii) has and will continue to have capital sufficient (and will not be left with unreasonably small capital) to conduct its business and all businesses in which it is engaged. “Solvent” means that (x) Company will have assets with a present fair saleable value greater than the amount of its total liabilities (including contingent liabilities); (y) the sum of Company's assets at book value exceeds the sum of its debts; and (z) on Company's balance sheet, the sum of its assets exceeds the sum of its liabilities. In making this statement the undersigned has considered the current and anticipated future capital requirements of Company for the current and currently anticipated future conduct of the business of Company, based upon presently known facts.

7.    The transactions contemplated by the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are not being entered into with an intent on the part of Company to hinder, delay or defraud its present or future creditors. In making this statement the undersigned has considered the current and anticipated future capital requirements of Company for the current and currently anticipated future conduct of the business of Company, based upon presently known facts.

8.    The Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are being entered into by Company in good faith, and the obligations incurred thereunder and the security interests granted thereunder were incurred and granted in exchange for fair equivalent value.






9.    Company does not intend to incur, nor does it believe it will incur, debts beyond its ability to pay as such debts mature.

10.    All trade and other accounts payable of Company are being paid in accordance with their terms, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated under the Loan Agreement and other Loan Documents to occur on the Closing Date will not impair the ability of Company to pay its trade and other accounts payable in accordance with their terms.

11.    Company does not contemplate filing a petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization under the federal Bankruptcy Code, nor does the undersigned have any knowledge of any threatened bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against Company.

12.    The undersigned hereby acknowledges that the Agent and Lenders have relied upon the statements contained herein, and consents to such reliance.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this certificate in his aforesaid capacity this ___ day of _______________, 2012.

By:    ____________________________________
Name:    ____________________________________
Title:    ____________________________________










Schedule 3.01(q)
(Affiliates)




None






Schedule 3.01(t)
(Permits)




1.    Permit to Construct air permit issued by the North Dakota Department of Health, Environment Health Section, Division of Air Quality, Title V Permit Number _______________

2.    National Pollution Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES"), including (i) a NPDES Storm Water Association with Industrial Activity, General Permit No. 1 and (ii) NPDES Discharge of Process, Non-Contact Water, Permit No. ____________

3.    Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Bureau Permit

4.    Risk Management Plan, EPA Facility ID: ________________, last submission __________, 20__

5.    Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure Plan, ________, 20___

6.    Industrial Stormwater Coverage Issued by North Dakota Department of Health, Environmental Health Section, Division of Water Quality (Permit No: ND-___________________

7.    Aboveground Storage Tank Permits, issued by North Dakota State Fire Marshal

8.    Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan for Construction Activities and Stormwater Pollution Plan for Industrial Activities, Retained on site










Schedule 3.01(u)
(Assignments and Consents of Material Contracts)


1.    Assignment of ethanol marketing agreement with RPMG, Inc. dated August 18, 2005 and consent thereto.

2.    Assignment of coal supply agreement with Westmoreland Coal Sales Company dated April 18, 2007 and consent thereto.

3.    Assignment of water agreement with Southwest Water Authority dated April 3, 2006 and consent thereto.

4.    Assignment of natural gas agreement with Montana Dakota Utilities Co. dated June 7, 2006 and consent thereto.

5.    Assignment DDGS marketing agreement with CHS Inc. dated January 1, 2006 and consent thereto.

6.    Assignment of electric services agreement with West Plains Electric Cooperative dated August 18, 2005 and consent thereto.

7.    Assignment of Rents dated December 16, 2005 executed and delivered by Borrower to First National and recorded December 19, 2005 as Document No. 3040798 with the Stark County, North Dakota Recorder.




















Schedule 3.01(u)(i)
(Management Contracts)


None










Schedule 3.01(u)(ii)
(Supply Contracts)


Coal Sales Order dated December 16, 2011 between Borrower and Westmoreland Coal Sales Company as sales agent for Absaloka Coal LLC on behalf of Western Energy Company









Schedule 3.01(u)(iii)
(Sales and Marketing Contracts)

Ethanol Fuel Marketing Agreement dated June 25, 2010 between Borrower and RPMG, Inc.

Distiller's Grain Marketing Agreement dated March 10, 2008 between Borrower and CHS Inc.

[ Crude Corn Oil Purchase Agreement dated March 6, 2012 between Borrower and RPMG, Inc. ]







Schedule 3.01(u)(iv)
(Transportation Contracts)


None







Schedule 3.01(u)(v)
(Utility Contracts)


Coal Sales Order dated December 16, 2011 between Borrower and Westmoreland Coal Sales Company as sales agent for Absaloka Coal LLC on behalf of Western Energy Company

Water agreement with Southwest Water Authority

Natural gas agreement with Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.

Electric service agreement with West Plains Electric Cooperative






CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240.15(d)-14(a)
(SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION)
 
I, Gerald Bachmeier, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Red Trail Energy, LLC;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant, as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



 
Date:
May 11, 2012
 
/s/ Gerald Bachmeier
 
 
Gerald Bachmeier
Chief Executive Officer





CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 17 CFR 240.15(d)-14(a)
(SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION)
 
I, Kent Anderson, certify that:

1.
I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Red Trail Energy, LLC;

2.
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant, as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a)
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b)
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c)
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d)
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.
The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a)
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b)
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.



 Date:
May 11, 2012
 
 /s/ Kent Anderson
 
 
Kent Anderson
Chief Financial Officer





CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q in accordance with Rule 15(d)-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of Red Trail Energy, LLC (the “Company”) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Gerald Bachmeier, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


 
/s/ Gerald Bachmeier
 
Gerald Bachmeier
 
Chief Executive Officer
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 11, 2012







CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002



In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q in accordance with Rule 15(d)-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of Red Trail Energy, LLC (the “Company”) for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Kent Anderson, Chief Financial Officer, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1.
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2.
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 
/s/ Kent Anderson
 
Kent Anderson
 
Chief Financial Officer
 
 
 
 
Dated:
May 11, 2012