CHS INC 10-K

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Disclosure Controls and Procedures Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Exchange Act")), as of August 31, 2023. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of that date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system is a process designed 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. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projecting any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods is subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) . Based on management's assessment using this framework, management concluded that, as of August 31, 2023, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. This Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management's report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to the Financial Reform Bill passed in July 2010 that permits us to provide only management's report in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended August 31, 2023, that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 44 Table of Contents ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION On November 7, 2023, we and Mr. Debertin entered into another amendment to the Employment Agreement ("Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4"), in order to, among other things, recognize his outstanding performance and long tenure and to further emphasize performance-based incentive award opportunities that can be earned for long term strategy execution as reflected in our results relative to goals set at the start of the multi-year performance period, pursuant to which: • During the 2024-2026 ELTIP performance period (and any ELTIP performance period thereafter), Mr. Debertin will be entitled to a target ELTIP award opportunity of 5 times his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity, with a threshold ELTIP award opportunity equal to one-half of the target ELTIP award opportunity and a maximum ELTIP award opportunity equal to twice the target ELTIP award opportunity. Prior to the execution of Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4, the Employment Agreement (as amended) provided Mr. Debertin with a target ELTIP award opportunity of 3 times his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity with a maximum ELTIP award opportunity equal to two times his target ELTIP award opportunity; and • During the fiscal year 2024-2026 ELTIP performance period (and any ELTIP performance period thereafter), if Mr. Debertin's employment ends due to death or permanent disability (as defined in our ELTIP) or if he is employed for at least 6 months of such a performance period and his employment ends due to retirement approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) by our Board of Directors, then upon completion and certification of performance results for such performance period, he will be eligible for a vested full grant participation in the applicable ELTIP award with the payout factor calculated at the same time as other participants. The foregoing description of the Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4 does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4, which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 D to this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS Not applicable. 45 Table of Contents PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The table below provides certain information regarding each of our directors, as of August 31, 2023: Name Age Director Region Director Since David Beckman 63 8 2018 Clinton J. Blew 46 8 2010 Hal Clemensen 63 4 2019 Scott Cordes 62 1 2017 Jon Erickson 63 3 2011 Mark Farrell 64 5 2016 Steve Fritel 68 3 2003 Alan Holm 63 1 2013 David Johnsrud 69 1 2012 Tracy Jones 60 5 2017 David Kayser 64 4 2006 Russell Kehl 48 6 2017 Perry Meyer 69 1 2014 Daniel Schurr 58 7 2006 Jerrad Stroh 53 8 2022 Kevin Throener 51 3 2019 Cortney Wagner 45 2 2020 As a cooperative, members of our Board of Directors are nominated and elected by our members as required by our bylaws. As described below under "Director Elections and Voting," to ensure geographic representation of our members, the Board of Directors represents eight regions in which our members are located. The members in each region nominate and elect the number of directors for that region as set forth in our bylaws. Neither management nor the incumbent directors have any control over the nominating process for directors. As described below under "Director Elections and Voting," to be eligible for service as a director, a nominee must, among other things, (i) be an active farmer or rancher, (ii) be a Class A individual member of CHS or a member of a cooperative association member and (iii) reside in the geographic region from which he or she is nominated. In general, our directors operate large commercial agricultural enterprises, which require expertise in all areas of management, including financial oversight. Nearly all directors also have experience serving on local cooperative association boards and all participate in a variety of agricultural and community organizations. Our directors complete the National Association of Corporate Directors comprehensive Director Professionalism course and earn the Certificate of Director Education. We believe that each of our directors meets the aforementioned eligibility requirements and qualifications described under "Director Elections and Voting" to serve on the Board of Directors. David Beckman has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2018. He is vice chair of the Audit Committee and a member of the Capital Committee. He is a former secretary of the Nebraska Cooperative Council and former board chair for Central Valley Ag Cooperative in York, Nebraska. He holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Mr. Beckman's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. In partnership with his family, he raises irrigated corn and soybeans and operates a custom hog-feeding operation near Elgin, Nebraska. Clinton J. Blew, Second Vice Chair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2010. He serves on the Governance and Corporate Risk Committees. Mr. Blew has also served as first vice chair of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is a former member of the board of directors of Mid Kansas Coop, Moundridge, Kansas, and is a member of the Hutchinson Community College Ag Advisory Board, Kansas Livestock Association, Texas Cattle Feeders Association and Red Angus Association of America. He holds an applied science degree in farm and ranch management from Hutchinson (Kansas) Community College. Mr. Blew's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and he farms and ranches in a family partnership in south-central Kansas. 46 Table of Contents Hal Clemensen has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2019. He is chair of the Government Relations Committee and a member of the Corporate Risk Committee. He serves on the board of trustees for Presentation College. He is a former member of the Agtegra Cooperative board and previously served as a director of the South Dakota Value Added Agriculture Development Center, South Dakota Soybean Association and Redfield Farmers Union Oil Company and has served on the Avera Rural Cancer Advisory Board. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics and agricultural business from South Dakota State University. Mr. Clemensen's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He and his wife raise corn, soybeans and wheat in Brown and Spink counties in South Dakota. Scott Cordes, First Vice Chair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. He is vice chair of the Corporate Risk Committee and a member of the Governance Committee. He serves as a director and past chair of Security State Bank of Wanamingo. Previously, he served as a director of Cooperative Network, the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and National Futures Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Minnesota. Mr. Cordes' principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. Prior to his current occupation, he was president of CHS Hedging, LLC, a commodities brokerage subsidiary of CHS Inc. He co-owns and operates a corn and soybean farm near Wanamingo, Minnesota. Jon Erickson has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2011. He is a member of the Audit and Capital Committees and previously served as second vice chair of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is an advisory board member for the Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives, a board member of the State Historical Society of North Dakota Foundation, a council member of Rural Leadership North Dakota and a member of the North Dakota Farmers Union and North Dakota Stockmen's Association. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University. Mr. Erickson's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years, and he raises grain and oilseed and operates a commercial Hereford-Angus cow-calf business near Minot, North Dakota. Mark Farrell has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2016. He is vice chair of the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees and a member of the Governance Committee. Previously, he served as a director and president of the Premier Cooperative board and as a director of Mount Horeb Farmers Co-op and United Ethanol. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison Agricultural & Life Sciences Farm & Industry Short Course. Mr. Farrell's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn and soybeans in Dane County, Wisconsin . Steve Fritel has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2003. He chairs the Corporate Risk Committee and is a member of the Audit Committee. He earned an associate degree from North Dakota State College of Science. Mr. Fritel's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises spring wheat, durum wheat, soybeans, edible beans, corn and canola near Rugby, North Dakota, selling some of his edible beans to local family-owned restaurants. He also runs a family business providing on-farm grain storage equipment. Alan Holm, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2013. Since 2021, he has been assistant secretary-treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is a member of the Government Relations and Capital Committees. He also serves on the board for Citizens Bank of Minnesota and is a former board chair of River Region Cooperative. He holds an associate degree in machine tool technology from Mankato (Minnesota) Technical College. Mr. Holm's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn, soybeans, sweet corn, peas and hay and owns and manages a cow-calf operation near Sleepy Eye, Minnesota. David Johnsrud has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2012. He serves as chair of the Capital Committee and as vice chair of the Government Relations Committee. Previously, he served as board chair of AgCountry Farm Credit Services and board chair of the Cooperative Network and on the boards of the Minnesota Farm Credit Legislative Committee, Farmers Union Oil, CHS Prairie Lakes, Mid-Minnesota Association and Minnesota State Co-op Directors Association, including terms as board secretary for Farmers Union Oil and CHS Prairie Lakes. Mr. Johnsrud's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn and soybeans near Starbuck, Minnesota. Tracy Jones has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. He is chair of the Governance Committee and vice chair of the Capital Committee. He has served on the DeKalb County Board and on the boards of CHS Elburn, the former Elburn Co-op, DeKalb County Farm Bureau, DeKalb Kane Cattlemen's Association and DeKalb County Corn Growers. He earned an associate degree in farm management from Kishwaukee College in Malta, Illinois. Mr. Jones' principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He operates a fourth-generation family farm near Kirkland, Illinois, that raises corn, soybeans and wheat and feeds cattle. David Kayser has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006. He serves as chair of the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees and as a member of the Governance Committee. Mr. Kayser is chair of the Mitchell (South Dakota) Technical College Foundation Board and a previous director and chair of CHS Farmers Alliance and South Dakota Association of Cooperatives. Mr. Kayser's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn, soybeans and hay near Alexandria, South Dakota, and operates a cow-calf and feeder-calf business. 47 Table of Contents Russell Kehl, Secretary-Treasurer, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2017. Since 2019, Mr. Kehl has served as secretary-treasurer of the Executive Committee of the Board. He is vice chair of the Governance Committee and a member of the Capital Committee. He previously was a director of CHS SunBasin Growers and vice chair of the Columbia Basin Seed Association. Mr. Kehl's primary occupation has been farming for more than five years. He and his wife operate a farm near Quincy, Washington, that produces crops, primarily potatoes and dry beans, and includes a cow-calf herd. His family also owns a dry bean processing facility, runs a custom farming business and owns and operates a trucking and logistics company. Perry Meyer has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2014. He serves as chair of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Corporate Risk Committee. He is a member of United Farmers Co-op, Central Region Cooperative, Minnesota Farm Bureau, Minnesota and Nicollet County corn growers associations, and Minnesota Pork Producers Association. He serves as a director of Steamboat Pork Cooperative, chair of Nuvera Board and director of Minnesota Valley Lutheran School Foundation. He holds an agricultural mechanics degree from Alexandria (Minnesota) Technical School. Mr. Meyer's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He operates a family farm, raising corn, soybeans and hogs near New Ulm, Minnesota. Daniel Schurr, Chair, has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2006. Since 2017, Mr. Schurr has served as chair of the Executive Committee of the Board. He serves on the Blackhawk Bank and Trust board and audit and loan committees and previously served on the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area board. He holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural business with a minor in economics from Iowa State University. Mr. Schurr's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He raises corn and soybeans near LeClaire, Iowa, and operates a commercial trucking business. Jerrad Stroh has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2022. He is a member of the Audit Committee and the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees. He serves on the board of Cooperative Producers, Inc., and has completed the Nebraska Cooperative Council Director Certification program. Mr. Stroh’s principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He and his family raise corn and soybeans near Juniata, Nebraska. Kevin Throener has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2019. He is a member of the Audit Committee and the CHS Foundation Board of Trustees. He has served on the board of directors of CHS Dakota Plains and has been a member of Full Circle Ag, James Valley Ag and Agtegra cooperatives. He is active in the North Dakota Farmers Union and North Dakota Stockmen's Association. He attended North Dakota State University, majoring in agricultural systems management. Mr. Throener's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. He and his wife and family raise corn, soybeans, alfalfa and cattle near Cogswell, North Dakota, and also operate a beef feedlot and custom forage harvesting business. Cortney Wagner has been a member of the CHS Board of Directors since 2020. She is a member of the Corporate Risk and Government Relations Committees. She serves on the board of the Montana Council of Cooperatives. She holds a real estate license and has served as a trust associate at 1st National Bank and Trust Company. She earned an associate of arts degree from Williston State College and attended the University of North Dakota, majoring in business finance and psychology. Ms. Wagner's principal occupation has been farming for more than five years. She is a first-generation cattle and hay producer based near Hardin, Montana. Director Elections and Voting Director elections are for three-year terms and are open to any qualified candidate. Qualifications for the office of director are as follows: • At the time of declaration of candidacy, the individual (except in the case of an incumbent) must have the written endorsement of a locally elected producer board that is part of the CHS system and located within the region from which the individual is to be a candidate. • At the time of the election, the individual must be less than 68 years old. The remaining qualifications set forth below must be met at all times commencing six months prior to the time of election and while the individual holds office: • The individual must be a Class A individual member of CHS or a member of a cooperative association member. • The individual must reside in the region from which he or she is to be elected. • The individual must be an active farmer or rancher. "Active farmer or rancher" means an individual whose primary occupation is that of a farmer or rancher, excluding anyone who is an employee of CHS or of a cooperative association member. 48 Table of Contents The following positions on the Board of Directors will be up for election at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Members: Region Incumbent Region 1 (Minnesota) Scott Cordes Region 1 (Minnesota) Open Seat Region 2 (Montana and Wyoming) Cortney Wagner Region 3 (North Dakota) Jon Erickson Region 5 (Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin) Tracy Jones Region 7 (Iowa, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee) Daniel Schurr Region 8 (Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas) Clinton J. Blew Voting rights, including those in regard to director elections, arise by virtue of membership in CHS, not because of ownership of any equity or debt instruments; therefore, our preferred shareholders cannot recommend nominees to our Board of Directors nor vote in regard to director elections unless they are also Class A or Class C members of CHS. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The table below lists our executive officers as appointed by the CHS Board of Directors as of August 31, 2023: Name Age Position Jay Debertin 63 President and Chief Executive Officer David Black 57 Executive Vice President, Enterprise Transformation and Chief Information Officer Richard Dusek 59 Executive Vice President, Country Operations, Distribution and Transportation John Griffith 54 Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging Gary Halvorson 50 Executive Vice President, Enterprise Customer Development Darin Hunhoff 53 Executive Vice President, Energy Mary Kaul-Hottinger 59 Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer Olivia Nelligan 48 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Brandon Smith 43 Executive Vice President, General Counsel Jay Debertin has been president and chief executive officer ("CEO") for CHS since May 2017. He leads the strategic leadership team in strengthening CHS by advancing operational excellence, strengthening CHS financial performance and building a team to grow core CHS businesses to create connections that empower agriculture. Mr. Debertin joined CHS in 1984 in the petroleum division and held a variety of positions in its energy marketing operations before being named vice president of crude oil supply in 1998. In 2001, his responsibilities expanded to include crude oil supply, refining, pipelines and terminals, trading and risk management, and transportation. From 2005 to 2010, Mr. Debertin was executive vice president and chief operating officer for processing at CHS. From 2010 to 2017, he served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of Energy and Foods where he led energy, transportation and processing at CHS. Mr. Debertin serves as chair of the board for Ventura Foods, LLC, and the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives. .He also serves on the board of directors for Securian Financial. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of North Dakota and a master of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. David Black has been executive vice president, enterprise transformation, and chief information officer for CHS since December 2022. He is responsible for enterprise transformation, marketing and communications, sustainability and innovation, facilities and CHS global information technology. Mr. Black leads enterprise transformation efforts, driving ongoing companywide efficiency and opportunities for profitable growth, as well as strategy, implementation, delivery and operation of information technology for all CHS businesses worldwide. He also oversees our owner and employee communications, advertising and public relations and CHS sustainability programs. Mr. Black serves on the boards of Ventura Foods and Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund joint venture between CHS and Growmark that focuses on innovative solutions and emerging technologies that positively impact farming. He is former board chair of Ag Gateway, a nonprofit consortium of 300-plus businesses, which strives to promote, enable and expand e-business in agriculture. Mr. Black joined CHS in 2014 and previously worked at Monsanto Company, where he served as vice president, information technology, overseeing all aspects of information technology for its global commercial businesses. During his 20 years with Monsanto, he also served as vice president, corporate strategy, and president, Monsanto Agro-Services, LLC, and was responsible for new business development. Mr. Black earned a bachelor's degree in computer science from Tarkio College. 49 Table of Contents Richard Dusek has been executive vice president, country operations, transportation and distribution, since November 2017. He leads transformation of the CHS retail operations and enterprise transportation platforms to serve as a critical distribution channel for our core businesses, aligning an enterprise supply chain for energy, agronomy, animal nutrition and grain product lines to serve our owners, and driving growth and efficiency through a customer-focused solutions platform. Mr. Dusek is a former board member of The Fertilizer Institute and Minneapolis Grain Exchange. He joined CHS in 1988 as a wheat trader. Prior to leading our retail business, Mr. Dusek held roles as vice president in our grain marketing and agronomy divisions. He earned a bachelor of science degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Advanced Management Program. John Griffith has been executive vice president, ag business and CHS Hedging, since January 2021. He leads CHS global grain and processing operations and renewable fuels trading, supply chain management and risk management, including freight, currency, execution and trade finance. Mr. Griffith chairs the North American Export Grain Association board. He also serves as board chair for CHS Hedging, a commodities brokerage subsidiary of CHS, and represents CHS on the CF Nitrogen Board of Managers. He worked for CHS early in his career as a grain merchandiser and rejoined CHS at a leadership level in January 2013. Since that time, he has held various leadership roles within global grain marketing, including senior vice president, CHS global grain marketing and CHS Hedging, and vice president, grain marketing North America. He earned a bachelor's degree from St. John's University and a master of business administration degree from Rockhurst University. Gary Halvorson has been executive vice president, enterprise customer development, since December 2022. He is responsible for efforts across all businesses to deliver a focused and coordinated customer experience for owners and customers. He also oversees marketing and sales functions for CHS wholesale and retail agronomy businesses and agronomy product development, as well as CHS cooperative resources, which provides strategic business and talent planning for cooperatives. Mr. Halvorson serves on the advisory council for Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund joint venture between CHS and Growmark that focuses on innovative solutions and emerging technologies that positively impact farming. Mr. Halvorson has served on the National FFA Sponsors Board, the Agricultural Retailers Association board of directors and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) board of directors. He joined CHS more than 20 years ago. Most recently, he led the CHS agronomy business. Prior to that, Mr. Halvorson held various leadership roles with CHS at locations in North Dakota before becoming general manager for CHS Ag Services in Warren, Minnesota. Mr. Halvorson also served as vice president of farm supply for CHS country operations. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from Concordia University. Darin Hunhoff has been executive vice president, energy, since May 2017. He leads CHS energy operations including refineries, pipelines and terminals, refined fuels, propane and lubricants. In addition, he oversees CHS strategic sourcing, which creates value through an enterprisewide approach to sourcing and procurement. Mr. Hunhoff serves on the board of directors for Ardent Mills. He joined CHS more than 25 years ago as a petroleum specialist. He has also been chief strategy officer for CHS and has spent several years in energy leadership roles, including time as senior vice president of refined fuels and vice president of propane. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing and business management from Southwest Minnesota State University. Mary Kaul-Hottinger has been executive vice president, chief human resources officer, for CHS since January 2023. Ms. Kaul-Hottinger sets direction and strategy to help CHS achieve key priorities with a focus on helping the organization attract, develop and retain high-performing and diverse talent to drive business growth and the company’s strategies. She also has responsibility for the company’s community giving and employee volunteerism. Ms. Kaul-Hottinger has more than 37 years of experience in human resources. She joined CHS in 2018 as the senior vice president, chief human resources officer, after serving 11 years at Ecolab as vice president of human resources for Ecolab’s global businesses, where she and her team supported multiple business units with more than 30,000 employees in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Ecolab in 2007, she served in human resources leadership roles supporting operating divisions at General Mills and Pillsbury. She also held human resources roles at Securian Financial, formerly Minnesota Life. Ms. Kaul-Hottinger serves on the board of Together We Grow, a consortium of major agribusiness and food interests building the workforce of tomorrow. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of St. Thomas. Olivia Nelligan is executive vice president, chief financial officer and chief strategy officer for CHS, joining the organization in January 2020. She is responsible for finance activities and strategic planning across CHS and chairs the CHS Retirement Plan Committee. She also serves on the board of directors for Cooperative Ventures, a venture capital fund joint venture between CHS and Growmark that focuses on innovative solutions and emerging technologies that positively impact farming. Before joining CHS, Ms. Nelligan held executive positions in multiple organizations, as well as acting as a management consultant. Her past experience includes serving as chief executive officer of Nasco, LLC, a private equity-owned company. Ms. Nelligan spent 14 years with Kerry Group plc and was global chief financial and strategic planning officer of its Taste and Nutrition division when she left the company in 2016. She holds a bachelor's degree in civil law and a higher diploma in business and financial information systems from University College Cork, Ireland, and a master of business administration degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a fellow of Chartered Accountants Ireland and an associate member of the Institute of Taxation in Ireland. 50 Table of Contents Brandon Smith has been executive vice president, general counsel for CHS since March 2021. He provides counsel to CHS leadership and the Board of Directors on company strategy, government affairs, corporate governance, corporate compliance, federal securities reporting and compliance, and disclosure and investor communications. Mr. Smith also oversees the CHS internal audit department. He previously worked at Tenneco Inc., a multinational industrial company based in Lake Forest, Illinois, for more than 12 years in various legal and leadership roles, most recently as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary. Prior to joining Tenneco, Mr. Smith worked for the Kirkland & Ellis LLP law firm in Chicago, Illinois. He earned a juris doctor degree from Cornell Law School and a bachelor's degree in business management from Hiram College. None of our directors, executive officers or control persons has been involved in any of the legal proceedings required to be disclosed in Item 401 of Regulation S-K, during the past five years. DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our executive officers, directors and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of any class of our preferred stock to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the SEC. Such executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners are required by the regulations of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. Based solely upon a review of copies of reports on Forms 3 and 4 and amendments thereto filed electronically with the SEC during, and reports on Form 5 and amendments thereto filed electronically with the SEC with respect to the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023, and based further upon written representations received by us with respect to the need to file reports on Form 5, except for Mr. Black, who filed one late Form 5 in January 2023 relating to his sale of preferred stock, no persons filed late reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during fiscal 2023. CODE OF ETHICS We have adopted a code of ethics within the meaning of Item 406(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. This code of ethics applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. This code of ethics is part of our broader CHS Code of Conduct, which is posted on our website. The internet address for our website is www.chsinc.com and the CHS Code of Conduct may be found on the "Compliance and integrity" web page, which can be accessed from the "About CHS" web page, which can be accessed from our main web page. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, a provision of the code of ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer or principal accounting officer on the "Compliance and integrity" web page of our website. The information contained on our website is not part of, and is not incorporated in, this report or any other report we file with or furnish to the SEC. AUDIT COMMITTEE MATTERS The Board of Directors has a separately designated standing Audit Committee for the purpose of overseeing our accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of our financial statements. In fiscal 2023, the Audit Committee was comprised of Mr. Beckman, Mr. Cordes (from August 31, 2022 until January 12, 2023), Mr. Erickson, Mr. Fritel and Mr. Meyer (chair), Mr. Stroh and Mr. Throener (from January 12, 2023 until present), each of whom was an independent director during their service on the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has oversight responsibility to our member-owners relating to our financial statements and the financial reporting process, preparation of the financial reports and other financial information provided by us to any governmental or regulatory body, the systems of internal accounting and financial controls, the internal audit function and the annual independent audit of our financial statements. The Audit Committee assures that the corporate information gathering and reporting systems developed by management represent a good faith attempt to provide senior management and the Board of Directors with information regarding material acts, events and conditions within CHS. In addition, the Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the independent registered public accounting firm. We do not believe any member of the Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert" as defined in the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and regulations thereunder. As a cooperative, members of our Board of Directors are nominated and elected by our members. To ensure geographic representation of our members, the Board of Directors represents eight regions in which our members are located. The voting members in each region nominate and elect the number of directors for that region as set forth in our bylaws. To be eligible for service as a director, a nominee must among other things, (i) be an active farmer or rancher, (ii) be a Class A individual member of CHS or member of a cooperative association and (iii) reside in the geographic region from which he or she is nominated. Neither management nor the incumbent directors have any control 51 Table of Contents over the nominating process for directors. Because of the nomination procedure and the election process, we cannot ensure that an elected director serving on our Audit Committee will be an audit committee financial expert. However, many of our directors, including all of the Audit Committee members, are financially sophisticated and have experience or background in which they have had significant financial management or oversight responsibilities. The current Audit Committee includes directors who have served as presidents or chairs of local cooperative association boards. Members of the Board of Directors, including the Audit Committee, also operate large commercial enterprises requiring expertise in all areas of management, including financial oversight. 52 Table of Contents ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Compensation Discussion and Analysis Executive Compensation Overview This Compensation Discussion and Analysis describes the material elements of compensation awarded to each of the following executive officers ("Named Executive Officers") during the year ended August 31, 2023: Name Position Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging CHS creates connections to empower agriculture for our producer and member cooperative owners and the communities in which we and our owners live and operate. Our compensation programs are aligned with our operational objectives and long-term business strategy and are designed to attract, reward and retain high-performing and diverse team members who are passionate about our mission and our members. This section outlines the objectives and principles underlying our compensation and benefit programs, as well as our compensation decisions for the CEO and other Named Executive Officers. In this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the related compensation tables and the accompanying narratives, all references to a given year refer to our fiscal year ending on August 31 of that year. Compensation Philosophy and Objectives The Governance Committee of our Board of Directors ("Governance Committee") oversees the design and administration of our executive compensation and benefit programs. The primary principles and objectives in compensating our executive officers are to: • Attract and retain exceptional talent who meet our leadership expectations and are engaged and committed to the long-term success of CHS by providing market-competitive compensation and benefit programs; • Align executive rewards to quantifiable annual and long-term performance goals that drive enterprise results and provide competitive returns to our member-owners; • Emphasize pay for performance by providing a total direct compensation mix of fixed and variable pay that is primarily weighted on annual and long-term incentives to reward annual and sustained performance over the long term; and • Ensure compliance with government mandates and regulations. Governance of Executive Compensation Our executive compensation programs are designed to attract and retain top talent executives and to motivate them to optimize member-owner returns and to execute our long-term strategies. The executive compensation program utilizes a pay for performance approach to link each executive's total compensation to a combination of the company's short-term and long-term financial performance and achievement of individual performance objectives. The Governance Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibilities regarding matters that relate to governing the organization, including reviewing and making recommendations to the Board with respect to the establishment, material modification to, or amendment of incentive, bonus or other similar compensation plans in which other Named Executive Officers are eligible participants. The Governance Committee and the Executive Committee of our Board of Directors ("Executive Committee") have engaged a third-party consultant, Pay Governance LLC, to advise on the short-term and long-term incentive pay plans applicable to our senior executives, including our other Named Executive Officers. Annually, the Governance Committee establishes incentive plan goals applicable to our other Named Executive Officers under the incentive compensation plans to which they and other employees are eligible. 53 Table of Contents Pay Governance, LLC provides guidance to the Executive Committee regarding market-competitive levels of base pay, short-term incentive pay, long-term incentive pay and the overall compensation package for our CEO. Data and analysis is shared with the Executive Committee, which considers the data and analysis as part of its review of the CEO's pay. The Executive Committee recommends to our Board of Directors pay actions relative to our CEO and approves annual and long-term incentive awards for our CEO based on company performance against the preestablished financial goals and, as applicable, individual performance. The Board of Directors makes final decisions regarding our CEO's base pay, short-term incentive pay and long-term incentive pay, as well as the allocation between these components. In turn, our Board of Directors communicates this pay information to our CEO. There are no formal policies for allocation between long-term and short-term compensation other than the intention to be competitive with the external compensation market for comparable positions and to be consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives. Our CEO is not involved with the selection of the third-party consultant and does not participate in or observe Executive Committee meetings that concern CEO compensation matters. Based on a review of compensation market data provided by our human resources department (survey sources and methodology are explained below under "Components of Executive Compensation and Benefits"), with input from a third-party consultant if necessary, our CEO decides compensation levels for the other Named Executive Officers, recommends for the Board of Directors' approval the annual and long-term incentive financial performance goals applicable to the other Named Executive Officers (and other employees) and communicates base and incentive compensation to the other Named Executive Officers. The day-to-day design and administration of compensation and benefit plans are managed by our human resources, finance and legal departments. Components of Executive Compensation and Benefits Our executive compensation and benefit program consists of seven components. Each component is designed to be competitive with the external market. In determining competitive compensation levels, we analyze independent compensation survey information, including comparable industries, markets, revenues and companies that compete with us for executive talent. In fiscal 2023, information from the following sources was considered: • Willis Towers Watson General Industry Executive (U.S.) • Willis Towers Watson Custom Peer Comparator Group Executive (U.S.; includes the portion of the 16 peer companies that elected to participate in the survey) • US Mercer Benchmark Database/Total Remuneration Survey (Executive) • Radford/Aon Global Compensation Database (Executive) The survey and database data included a range of competitive pay levels, including median market rates for base salary, short-term incentive, total cash compensation, long-term incentive and total direct compensation. Companies included in the surveys and databases vary by industry, revenue and number of employees, and represent both public and private ownership, as well as nonprofit, government and mutual organizations. In determining competitive compensation levels for the CEO, various factors were considered including market data from surveys and publicly available proxy compensation data from a specific comparator group of peer companies, which included 16 private, public and cooperative organizations in the agronomy, energy, food and grain industries. Our Board annually reviews the peer group companies list and makes adjustments to the peer group companies list based on internal and external market data. The Board approved the following comparator group for 2023: Comparator Group ADM Conagra Brands Kinder Morgan Mosaic Bunge Phillips 66 Koch Industries* Nutrien CF Industries General Mills Land O'Lakes* Valero Energy Cargill* HF Sinclair Marathon Petroleum Williams Companies *While public disclosure of pay was not available, aggregate market data from surveys including these companies was considered. The goal is to provide our executives with an overall total compensation package that is competitive in comparable industries, companies and markets. We target around market median compensation levels for base pay, target total cash and target total direct compensation, and around the 75 th percentile for actual total direct compensation when above-market performance is achieved and below market median levels if performance is below market. For fiscal 2023 for the Named Executive Officers excluding the CEO, base pay, on average, was slightly below the market median and total cash compensation and total direct compensation were above the market median on average. The total cash compensation, on average, was above the market median because actual earned short-term incentive awards were achieved 54 Table of Contents at the maximum level of performance. The total direct compensation, on average, was above the market median because actual earned long-term incentive awards for the fiscal 2021-2023 performance period were achieved at the superior level of performance. For fiscal 2023, the CEO's base pay and target total cash compensation were at the desired competitive range around market median for the achievement of target annual performance results. However, target total direct compensation was lower than the desired competitive range due to the target long-term incentive award being significantly below market median. With the strong performance this fiscal year, his actual total direct compensation was closer to the market median than the market 75 th percentile (reflecting maximum payout under the long-term incentive but with a target award opportunity that was below market median). The following table presents a detailed breakdown of each compensation element: Pay Element Definition of Pay Element Purpose of Pay Element Base Pay Competitive base level of compensation provided relative to skills, experience, knowledge and contributions • Provides the fundamental element of compensation for demonstrating core responsibilities of the job Short-Term Incentive Broad-based employee short-term performance-based variable pay incentive for achieving predetermined annual financial and individual performance goals • Provides a direct link between pay and annual business objectives • Provides pay for performance to motivate and encourage the achievement of critical business initiatives • Encourages proper expense control and containment Profit-Sharing Selective employee short-term performance-based variable pay for achieving predetermined annual financial goals • Provides a direct link between employee pay and our profitability Long-Term Incentive Long-term performance-based incentive for senior management to achieve predetermined triennial Return on Invested Capital ("ROIC") goals • Provides a direct link between senior management pay and long-term strategic business objectives • Aligns management and member-owner interests • Encourages retention of key management Retirement Benefits Retirement benefits under the qualified retirement plans are identical to broad-based retirement plans generally available to all full-time employees • These benefits are a part of our broad-based employee total rewards program designed to attract and retain quality employees The supplemental plans include nonqualified retirement benefits that restore qualified benefits contained in our broad-based plans for employees whose retirement benefits are limited by salary caps under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Internal Revenue Code"); in addition, the plans allow participants to voluntarily defer receipt of a portion of their income • These benefits are provided to attract and retain senior leaders with total rewards programs that are competitive with comparable companies Health and Welfare Benefits Medical, dental, vision, life insurance and short-term disability benefits are generally available to all full-time employees. Certain officers, including our Named Executive Officers, also are eligible for executive long-term disability benefits • With the exception of executive long-term disability benefits, these benefits are a part of our broad-based employee total rewards program designed to attract and retain quality employees Additional Benefits Additional benefits are provided to certain officers, including our Named Executive Officers • These benefits are provided as part of an overall total rewards package that strives to be competitive with comparable companies and retain key talent Fiscal 2023 Executive Compensation Mix at Target The objectives of our executive compensation program require a suitable mix of base pay, short-term incentive pay and long-term incentive pay that will drive the executive officers to achieve results that benefit our member-owners' interests over the long term while maintaining alignment with the competitive talent market. 55 Table of Contents The charts below illustrate the mix of base salary, short-term incentive target pay and long-term incentive target pay based on the 2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards values (see table under Section 11.2) for our CEO and the other Named Executive Officers as a group. Base Pay Base salaries of our Named Executive Officers represent a fixed form of compensation paid on a semimonthly basis. The base salaries are generally set around the median level of market data collected through our benchmarking process against other equivalent positions of comparable companies. The individual's actual salary relative to the market median is based on a number of factors, which include, but are not limited to, scope of responsibilities, individual experience and performance. Base salaries for our Named Executive Officers are reviewed on an annual basis or at the time of significant changes in scope and level of responsibilities. Changes in base salaries are determined through review of competitive market data, as well as individual performance and contribution, internal equity and other factors. Changes are not governed by preestablished weighting factors or a specific merit matrix. Our CEO is responsible for this process for the other Named Executive Officers. The Executive Committee is responsible for this process for our CEO. Mr. Debertin received a 4.0% base salary increase effective January 1, 2023. Our Board of Directors approved the increase to reward Mr. Debertin for strong performance and to maintain a competitive pay position to market. Ms. Nelligan, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hunhoff, and Mr. Griffith received base salary increases of 10%, 4%, 3.39% and 10.09%, respectively. The larger base salary increases for Ms. Nelligan and Mr. Griffith included both a merit increase and a market adjustment to improve competitive pay position to market. Overview of Performance-Based Incentive Plans We operate our diversified global businesses to maximize value, in the near-term and long-term, for our member cooperatives, farmer-owners and customers. Our officer compensation program reflects this key objective by emphasizing performance-based incentive opportunities, through the AVP and ELTIP that are discussed in detail below, with awards earned commensurate with our results. The actual payouts for the incentive cycles ending in 2023 reflect the team's outstanding execution relative to our business strategy in key areas including revenues, earnings and capital management, which are, collectively, captured in our primary financial measure of ROIC. The AVP, which has a larger group of employees eligible to participate, rewards annual ROIC results and, for executives, the ELTIP rewards three-year ROIC results and requires an additional vesting period over 28 months for earned awards. Short-Term Incentive Pay Named Executive Officers are covered by the same CHS Annual Variable Pay Plan ("Annual Variable Pay Plan" or "AVP") as other management and professional employees and, based on the plan provisions, when they are hired or retire they receive awards prorated to the period of time eligible. Each Named Executive Officer was eligible to participate in the AVP for the entirety of fiscal 2023. Target AVP award levels were set with reference to various factors including internal equity and competitive market compensation levels and were intended to motivate our executives by providing short-term incentive awards 56 Table of Contents for the achievement of predetermined annual goals. Our AVP incentive for fiscal 2023 was weighted 70% on enterprise-level financial performance and 30% on specific management business objectives. • The financial performance component was based on preestablished ROIC goals for CHS at the enterprise level. The threshold, target and maximum ROIC goals approved by the Board of Directors for fiscal 2023 are set forth in the table below. • The management business objectives were based on individual performance against specific goals relating to subjects such as business profitability, execution of strategic initiatives or talent acquisition, development and retention. In conjunction with the annual performance appraisal process for our CEO, our Board of Directors reviews the individual goals and, in turn, determines and approves this portion of the short-term incentive award based upon completion or partial completion of the previously specified goals and principal accountabilities for our CEO. Likewise, our CEO uses a similar process for determining individual goal attainment for the other Named Executive Officers. CHS financial performance goals and award opportunities under our fiscal 2023 Annual Variable Pay Plan were as follows: Performance Level CHS ROIC Goal Target Award Multiple Maximum 9.0% 2.0x Target 7.5% 1.0x Threshold 6.0% 0.5x Below threshold <6.0% 0.0x ROIC is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. ROIC is a measurement of how efficiently we use capital and the level of returns on that capital. It is calculated by dividing net operating profit after tax by average funded debt plus beginning equity. We define adjusted net operating profit after tax as earnings before taxes plus interest, net, and the sum is multiplied by the effective tax rate. For purposes of the fiscal 2023 AVP, we define funded debt as the sum of the average of beginning and end of year funded debt, including the current portion thereof, plus any guarantees thereof, using balances as of July 31, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and the total beginning of year equity as of July 31, 2022, respectively. ROIC results for fiscal year 2023 were 16.4%, resulting in award payouts at 2.0x target for the financial performance component. Robust global demand and market volatility continued to result in commodity prices that were elevated from historical averages. Adjusted net operating profit after tax increased in fiscal 2023, as our Energy segment delivered strong earnings with favorable market conditions in our refined fuels business and our Ag segment experienced strong meal and oil demand, resulting in improved oilseed crush margins that contributed to higher earnings. Mr. Debertin, the other Named Executive Officers, and our other CHS employees were able to consistently execute to meet the needs of our customers and member-owners . The CEO and each other Named Executive Officer's performance was determined by the Board of Directors or the CEO, respectively, to have been strong against their individual objectives, and therefore, each Named Executive Officer was awarded the maximum payout for the 30% individual goals component. Short-term incentive awards that were earned under the Annual Variable Pay Plan for fiscal 2023 for the Named Executive Officers are as follows: Name Position 2023 AVP Awards (Dollars) Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer $ 4,096,800 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 1,518,000 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel 1,404,380 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy 1,403,920 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 1,380,000 57 Table of Contents Profit-Sharing Each Named Executive Officer was eligible to participate in our Profit-Sharing Plan, which is also available to other employees. The purpose of the Profit-Sharing Plan is to provide a direct link between employee pay and our profitability. Annual profit-sharing contributions are calculated as a percent of base pay and annual variable pay (total earnings) and are made to the CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan ("401(k) Plan") account and CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan ("Deferred Compensation Plan") account of each Named Executive Officer. The levels of fiscal 2023 profit-sharing awards vary in relation to the level of CHS ROIC achieved and are displayed in the following table: ROIC Profit-Sharing Award 9.0% 5% 8.3% 4% 7.5% 3% 6.8% 2% 6.0% 1% ROIC results for fiscal 2023 were 16.4%. Accordingly, each Named Executive Officer earned a 5% award under the Profit-Sharing Plan. Long-Term Incentive Pay Each Named Executive Officer was eligible to participate in the CHS Inc. Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan ("ELTIP"). The purpose of the ELTIP is to align long-term results with long-term performance goals, encourage our Named Executive Officers to maximize long-term value for our member-owners and retain key executives. The ELTIP consists of three-year performance periods to ensure consideration is made for our long-term financial performance and strategic execution, with a new performance period beginning every year. Our Board of Directors approves the ELTIP goals for each three-year period. Earned awards from the ELTIP are contributed to the Deferred Compensation Plan after the end of each performance period. These awards vest over an additional 28-month period following the performance period end date. The extended earning and vesting provisions of the ELTIP are designed to help us retain key executives. Participants who leave CHS prior to retirement for reasons other than death or disability forfeit all unearned and unvested ELTIP award balances. Participants who meet retirement criteria, die or become disabled receive prorated awards following the ELTIP rules. Like the Annual Variable Pay Plan, award levels for the ELTIP are set with regard to various factors including internal equity and market competitive considerations. The target level ELTIP award level was 1.15x base salary for Named Executive Officers other than Mr. Debertin for performance periods beginning before September 1, 2021 (including the three-year ELTIP performance period ending in fiscal 2023), and 1.25x base salary for performance periods beginning on or after September 1, 2021. Mr. Debertin's target ELTIP award level was 1.5x his base salary for performance periods beginning before September 1, 2021 (including the three-year ELTIP performance period ending in fiscal 2023), and 3.0x his base s alary for performance periods beginning on or after September 1, 2021. For the three-year ELTIP period ending in fiscal 2023, the ELTIP performance measure was ROIC. As stated above, ROIC is a measurement of how efficiently we use capital and the level of returns on that capital and is calculated by dividing adjusted net operating profit after tax by average funded debt plus total equity at the beginning of the year. For purposes of the fiscal 2021-2023 performance period, we define funded debt as the sum of the average of long-term debt at the beginning and end of the year, including the current portion thereof, plus any guarantees thereof, using balances as of July 31, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively, and the total beginning of year equity as of July 31, 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. As also stated above, ROIC is not defined under U.S. GAAP. Therefore, it should not be considered a substitute for other measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. 58 Table of Contents Award opportunities for the fiscal 2021-2023 ELTIP are expressed as a multiple of a participant's average base salary as of August 31 for each of the three years in the performance period. We must meet a three-year period threshold level of ROIC performance for any participant to earn an award payout under the 2021-2023 ELTIP. As indicated in the table below, the threshold, target, maximum and superior performance maximum ROIC goals for the fiscal 2021-2023 performance period are as follows: Performance Level CHS Three-Year ROIC Target Award Multiple Superior performance maximum 7.5% 4.0x (1) / 3.33x (2) Maximum 6.5% 2.0x Target 5.5% 1.0x Threshold 4.1% 0.5x Below threshold <4.1% 0.0x (1) For the Named Executive Officers other than the CEO, the superior performance level results in an award equivalent to 4.0x the target award. (2) For the CEO, the superior performance level results in an award equivalent to 3.33x the target award. Business conditions in the agriculture and energy industries were favorable and afforded us opportunities during the 2021-2023 performance period. Our ability to execute in this environment with strong operational performance resulted in ROIC of 6.2% during fiscal 2021, which was above the target performance level, and 16.1% and 16.4% in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023, respectively, which was well above the superior performance maximum. Overall ROIC performance for the fiscal 2021-2023 performance period was 13.1%, resulting in superior performance level awards equivalent to 4.0x the target for Named Executive Officers other than the CEO and 3.33x the target for the CEO. ELTIP payments for the fiscal 2021-2023 ELTIP for the Named Executive Officers are as follows: Name Position ELTIP Payments (Dollars) Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer $ 6,588,481 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 2,806,000 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel 2,710,472 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy 2,720,112 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 2,522,332 The fiscal 2023 award grant values associated with the fiscal 2023-2025 ELTIP performance period, which continue to measure three-year ROIC, are provided in the "2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards" table. Retirement Benefits We provide the following retirement and deferral programs to Named Executive Officers: • CHS Inc. Pension Plan • CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan • CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan • CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan CHS Inc. Pension Plan The CHS Inc. Pension Plan ("Pension Plan") is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan. All Named Executive Officers participate in the Pension Plan. A Named Executive Officer is fully vested in the Pension Plan after three years of vesting service. The Pension Plan provides for a lump sum payment of the participant’s account balance once the Named Executive Officer reaches normal retirement age (or, alternatively, for a monthly annuity for the Named Executive Officer's lifetime if elected by the Named Executive Officer). The normal form of benefit for a single Named Executive Officer is a life annuity and for a married Named Executive Officer the normal form of benefit is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. Other annuity forms are also available on an actuarial equivalent basis. Compensation and benefits are limited based on limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. A Named Executive Officer's benefit under the Pension Plan depends on pay credits to his or her account, which are based on the Named Executive Officer's total salary and annual variable pay for each year of employment, date of hire, age at 59 Table of Contents date of hire and the length of service, and investment credits, which are computed using the interest crediting rate and the Named Executive Officer's account balance at the beginning of the plan year. The amount of pay credits added to a Named Executive Officer's account each year is a percentage of the Named Executive Officer’s base salary and annual variable pay plus compensation reduction pursuant to the 401(k) Plan and any pretax contribution to any of our welfare benefit plans, paid vacations, paid leaves of absence and pay received if away from work due to a sickness or injury. The pay credits percentage received is determined on a yearly basis, based on the years of benefit service completed as of December 31 of each year. A Named Executive Officer receives one year of benefit service for every calendar year of employment in which the Named Executive Officer completed at least 1,000 hours of service. Pay credits are earned according to the following schedules: Regular Pay Credits Regular Pay Credit Years of Benefit Service Pay Below Social Security Taxable Wage Base Pay Above Social Security Taxable Wage Base 1-3 years 3% 6% 4-7 years 4% 8% 8-11 years 5% 10% 12-15 years 6% 12% 16 years or more 7% 14% Mid-Career Pay Credits Employees hired after age 40 qualify for the following minimum pay credit: Minimum Pay Credit Age at Date of Hire Pay Below Social Security Taxable Wage Base Pay Above Social Security Taxable Wage Base Age 40-44 4% 8% Age 45-49 5% 10% Age 50 or higher 6% 12% Investment Credits We credit a Named Executive Officer's account at the end of the calendar year with an investment credit based on the balance at the beginning of the year. The investment credit is based on the average return for one-year Treasury bills for the four-month period from August 1 through November 30 of the prior year. The minimum interest rate under the Pension Plan is 4.65% and the maximum is 10%. CHS Inc. 401(k) Plan The 401(k) Plan is a tax-qualified, defined contribution retirement plan. Most full-time, nonunion CHS employees are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan, including each Named Executive Officer. Participants may contribute between 1% and 50% of their pay on a pretax basis. We match 100% of the first 1% and 50% of the next 5% of pay contributed each year (maximum 3.5%). Our Board of Directors may elect to reduce or eliminate matching contributions for any year or any portion thereof. Participants are 100% vested in their own contributions and are fully vested after two years of service in matching contributions made on the participant’s behalf by us. Eligible participants are automatically enrolled in the plan at a 3% contribution rate and, effective each January 1, the participant's contribution will be automatically increased by 1%. This escalation will stop once the participant's contribution reaches 15%. The participant may elect to cancel or change these automatic contributions at any time. 60 Table of Contents CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Because the Internal Revenue Code limits the benefits that may be paid from the Pension Plan and the 401(k) Plan, the CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP") and the Deferred Compensation Plan ("DCP") were established to provide certain employees participating in the qualified plans with supplemental benefits such that, in the aggregate, they equal the benefits they would have been entitled to receive under the qualified plan had these limits not been in effect. The SERP also includes compensation deferred under the DCP that is excluded under the qualified retirement plan. All Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in the SERP. Compensation includes total salary and annual variable pay without regard to limitations on compensation imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. Company contributions under the Pension Plan and 401(k) Plan are not eligible for pay credits. Certain Named Executive Officers may have accumulated nonqualified plan balances or benefits that have been carried over from predecessor companies as a result of past mergers and acquisitions. Benefits from the SERP are primarily funded in a rabbi trust, with a balance as of August 31, 2023, of $ 34.2 million. Benefits from the plan do not qualify for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. The DCP allows eligible Named Executive Officers to voluntarily defer receipt of up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual variable pay. The election must occur prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the compensation will be paid. During the year ended August 31, 2023, all of the Named Executive Officers were eligible to participate in the DCP. Mr. Debertin, Ms. Nelligan and Mr. Griffith participated in the elective portion of the DCP. Benefits from the DCP are primarily funded in a rabbi trust, with a balance as of August 31, 2023, of $144.1 million. Benefits from the plan do not qualify for special tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code. Health and Welfare Benefits Like our other employees, each of the Named Executive Officers is entitled to receive benefits under our comprehensive health and welfare program. Like nonexecutive full-time employees, participation in the individual benefit plans is based on each Named Executive Officer's annual benefit elections and varies by individual. Medical Plans Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our medical plan on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plan provides each Named Executive Officer an opportunity to choose a level of coverage and coverage options with varying deductibles and copays to pay for hospitalization, physician and prescription drug expenses. The cost of this coverage is shared by us and the covered Named Executive Officer. Dental and Vision Plan Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our dental and vision plan on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plan provides coverage for basic dental and vision expenses. The cost of this coverage is shared by us and the covered Named Executive Officer. Life, AD&D and Dependent Life Insurance Named Executive Officers and their dependents may participate in our basic life, optional life, accidental death and dismemberment ("AD&D") and dependent life plans on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The plans allow Named Executive Officers an opportunity to purchase group life insurance on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. Basic life insurance equal to one times eligible compensation will be provided at our expense on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. Named Executive Officers can choose various coverage levels of optional and dependent life insurance at their own expense on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. Employee optional life coverage includes an equal amount of AD&D coverage. We also provide at our expense Business Travel Accident coverage to Named Executive Officers when partaking in a business trip that furthers the business of CHS. Short-Term, Long-Term and Individual Disability Named Executive Officers participate in our Short-Term Disability Plan ("STD") on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The Named Executive Officers also participate in an executive Long-Term Disability Plan ("LTD") and 61 Table of Contents Individual Disability Insurance ("IDI"). These programs replace a portion of income in the event that a Named Executive Officer is disabled under the applicable terms and is unable to work full-time. The cost of STD, LTD and IDI coverage is paid by us. Flexible Spending Accounts/Health Savings Accounts Named Executive Officers may participate in our Flexible Spending Account ("FSA") or Health Savings Account ("HSA") on the same basis as other eligible full-time employees. The FSA and HSA provide Named Executive Officers an opportunity to pay for certain eligible medical expenses on a pretax basis. Contributions to the FSA and HSA are made by the Named Executive Officer. Travel Assistance Program and Identity Theft Protection Like other nonexecutive full-time employees, each of the Named Executive Officers is covered by our travel assistance program and identity theft protection program. The travel assistance program provides AD&D protection should a covered injury or death occur while on a business trip. The identity theft protection program provides credit monitoring and restoration services to protect against identity theft. Additional Benefits Certain benefits such as executive physical examinations and limited financial and tax planning assistance are available to our Named Executive Officers. These are provided as part of an overall total rewards package that strives to be competitive with comparable companies and retain individuals who are critical to us. More details can be found in the "All Other Compensation" section of the Summary Compensation Table. Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy On September 6, 2023, our Board of Directors approved an amendment to our Incentive Compensation Recovery Policy ("Recovery Policy") effective as of December 1, 2023. The purpose of the amendment to the Recovery Policy was to bring the Recovery Policy into compliance with newly adopted Listing Rule 5608 by The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC and to provide general updates to the policy to reflect what we believe are best practices. Specifically, the Recovery Policy applies to our current and former directors, employees, and employees who are or were identified by us as an "officer" which for purposes of the Recovery Policy includes any person that performs policy-making functions for CHS or any subsidiary of CHS ("Recovery Party"). The Recovery Policy provides that, in the event of a required restatement of our previously issued financial statements to reflect the correction of one or more errors that are material to those financial statements, we will require reimbursement or forfeiture of any excess incentive compensation received by any Covered Employee during the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the earlier of (i) the date our Board of Directors (including a committee of our Board of Directors) concludes or reasonably should have concluded, that CHS is required to prepare an accounting restatement or (ii) the date a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs CHS to prepare an accounting restatement. The amount of excess incentive compensation will be equal to the amount by which the Covered Recovery Party's incentive compensation for the relevant period exceeded the amount that would have been earned or awarded based on the restated financial results, as determined by our Board of Directors. The method used to recover the applicable excess incentive compensation will be determined by our Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, and may include requiring reimbursement of cash incentive compensation that was previously paid, forfeiting any incentive compensation contribution made under the Deferred Compensation Plan, offsetting the recovered amount from any compensation or incentive compensation that may be earned or awarded in the future or taking any other remedial or recovery action permitted by law. Detrimental Conduct Policy On September 6, 2023, our Board of Directors approved the adoption of a detrimental conduct policy (the "Detrimental Conduct Policy") effective as of December 1, 2023. The Detrimental Conduct Policy applies to current and former officers and employees of CHS and its affiliated companies (each a "Covered Person"). 62 Table of Contents The Detrimental Conduct Policy also provides that, in the event our Board of Directors determines in good faith that a Covered Person has engaged in detrimental conduct, we may, (i) require the Covered Person reimburse or forfeit all or a portion of the Covered Person's incentive compensation with such forfeited amounts to be determined by our Board of Directors, (ii) conduct disciplinary action, up to, and including termination and (iii) report such Covered Person to applicable governmental authorities for possible criminal prosecution. For purposes of the Detrimental Conduct Policy, detrimental conduct includes: • deliberate and continued failure, after delivery of notice to such Covered Person by us, by a Covered Person to substantially perform his or her duties and responsibilities in a manner that has an adverse effect on us; • knowing and willful violation of any law, government regulation or company code of conduct or policy; • knowingly encouraging or directing others to violate any law, government regulation or company code of conduct or policy; • fraud or dishonesty resulting or intended to result in personal enrichment at our expense; • the commission of any felony or gross misconduct in the performance of duties that results in economic harm to us; • violation of any company policies regarding substance abuse and/or illegal drug use; • knowingly encouraging or directing others to violate safety measures resulting, or intended to result, in harm to any person or destruction or damage to any property of ours or other parties; • knowing and willful engagement in discrimination or harassment (whether sexual or otherwise) in violation of any of our policies prohibiting discrimination and/or harassment; • knowingly encouraging or directing others to violate any of CHS's policies prohibiting discrimination and harassment (whether sexual or otherwise); and • failing to cooperate with CHS in the investigation of any potential violations of the Code of Conduct or other applicable policies. Agreements with Named Executive Officers Mr. Debertin On May 22, 2017, Mr. Debertin was elected as our President and CEO, and in connection therewith entered into an employment agreement with us on that date (the "Employment Agreement"). On November 5, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Employment Agreement ("Employment Agreement Amendment No. 1") with Mr. Debertin, pursuant to which the term of the Employment Agreement was extended to August 31, 2023, provided that, pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, beginning on August 31, 2023, and on each August 31 thereafter, the Employment Agreement will automatically renew for an additional one-year period, unless either party notifies the other in writing, at least 120 days in advance of the relevant renewal date, of its intent not to renew the agreement for the additional one-year period. On November 3, 2021, we and Mr. Debertin entered into another amendment ("Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2") to the Employment Agreement, pursuant to which the terms of Mr. Debertin's long-term incentive compensation opportunity were amended as set forth below. The amended long-term incentive compensation opportunity set forth by Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2 applies for each three-year performance period that begins on or after September 1, 2021. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, as amended by Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, Mr. Debertin is entitled to, among other things: • An annual base salary of $1,150,000, which has subsequently been increased by our Board of Directors to $1,313,064 and which is subject to further increase by our Board of Directors from time to time; • A target annual incentive compensation opportunity of 1.5x his annual base salary with a maximum opportunity equal to twice the target opportunity, based on achievement of performance goals set by our Board of Directors; and • A target long-term incentive compensation award opportunity of 3.0x his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity, with a threshold opportunity equal to one-half of the target opportunity and a maximum opportunity equal to twice the target opportunity. Prior to the execution of Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, the Employment Agreement provided Mr. Debertin with a target long-term 63 Table of Contents incentive compensation award opportunity of 1.5x his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity with a maximum opportunity equal to three and one-third times his target award opportunity. On November 1, 2022, we and Mr. Debertin entered into another amendment to the Employment Agreement ("Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3"), pursuant to which the term of the Employment Agreement was extended to August 31, 2026, and the termination provisions of the Employment Agreement were amended to provide that Mr. Debertin would receive welfare benefit continuation for two years following the termination of his employment, if Mr. Debertin chooses to retire from the Company on or after August 31, 2025. On November 7, 2023, we and Mr. Debertin entered into another amendment to the Employment Agreement ("Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4"), in order to, among other things, recognize his outstanding performance and long tenure and to further emphasize performance-based incentive award opportunities that can be earned for long term strategy execution as reflected in our results relative to goals set at the start of the multi-year performance period, pursuant to which: • During the 2024-2026 ELTIP performance period (and any ELTIP performance period thereafter), Mr. Debertin will be entitled to a target ELTIP award opportunity of 5 times his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity, with a threshold ELTIP award opportunity equal to one-half of the target ELTIP award opportunity and a maximum ELTIP award opportunity equal to twice the target ELTIP award opportunity. Prior to the execution of Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4, the Employment Agreement (as amended) provided Mr. Debertin with a target ELTIP award opportunity of 3 times his average annual base salary over each three-year performance period applicable to that award opportunity with a maximum ELTIP award opportunity equal to two times his target ELTIP award opportunity; and • During the fiscal year 2024-2026 ELTIP performance period (and any ELTIP performance period thereafter), if Mr. Debertin's employment ends due to death or permanent disability (as defined in our ELTIP) or if he is employed for at least 6 months of such a performance period and his employment ends due to retirement approved (such approval not to be unreasonably withheld) by our Board of Directors, then upon completion and certification of performance results for such performance period, he will be eligible for a vested full grant participation in the applicable ELTIP award with the payout factor calculated at the same time as other participants. The Employment Agreement and the compensation payable thereunder is subject to the Recovery Policy and the Detrimental Conduct Policy, each of which is described above. The severance pay and benefits to which Mr. Debertin would be entitled if we terminated his employment without cause or, if he terminated his employment for "good reason" are described below under "Post Employment." Ms. Nelligan Ms. Nelligan's compensation is set forth in a letter agreement we entered into with her on January 7, 2020 (the "Nelligan Letter Agreement"). The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides Ms. Nelligan with an initial annual base salary of $570,000 and a hiring bonus of $200,000 (which has been paid). The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides that Ms. Nelligan's initial target award for purposes of the Annual Variable Pay Plan will be equal to 1.15x her annual base salary on August 31 of each year. The Nelligan Letter Agreement and the compensation payable thereunder is subject to the Recovery Policy and the Detrimental Conduct Policy, each of which is described above. The severance pay and benefits to which Ms. Nelligan would be entitled if we terminated her employment without cause or if she terminated her employment for "good reason" are described below under "Post Employment." Mr. Smith Mr. Smith's compensation is set forth in a letter agreement we entered into with him on January 1, 2021 (the "Smith Letter Agreement"). The Smith Letter Agreement provides Mr. Smith with an initial annual base salary of $570,000 and a hiring bonus in the gross amount of $1,500,000 ("Hiring Bonus"). The Smith Letter Agreement provides for the payment of the Hiring Bonus in three installments of $400,000, which have already been paid, and a final installment of $300,000 in 2024, provided Mr. Smith is employed by CHS on the payment date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Smith Letter Agreement provides that, 64 Table of Contents in the event of an employment separation by us without good reason prior to payment of any portion of the Hiring Bonus, we will pay the Hiring Bonus in full no later than 60 days from the date of separation. The Smith Letter Agreement provides that Mr. Smith's initial target award for purposes of the Annual Variable Pay Plan will be equal to 1.15x his annual base salary on August 31 of each year. The Smith Letter Agreement also provides that Mr. Smith's initial target award for purposes of the ELTIP will be equal to 1.15x the average of his annual base salary on August 31 of each year in the applicable three-year performance period, and that any award he receives under the ELTIP will be prorated by the number of full months (credited to September 1, 2020) he is eligible for participation in the ELTIP during the respective three-year performance period. The Smith Letter Agreement and the compensation payable thereunder is subject to the Recovery Policy and the Detrimental Conduct Policy, each of which is described above. The severance pay and benefits to which Mr. Smith would be entitled if we terminated his employment without cause or if he terminated his employment for "good reason" are described below under "Post Employment." Tax Considerations Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code ("Section 162(m)") generally limits us to a deduction for federal income tax purposes of no more than $1 million of compensation paid to certain current and former executive officers in a taxable year. We believe that Section 162(m) is only one of several relevant considerations in setting compensation. We also believe that Section 162(m) should not be permitted to compromise our ability to design and maintain executive compensation arrangements that, among other things, are intended to attract and retain highly qualified executives in a competitive environment. As a result, we retain the flexibility to provide compensation that we determine to be in our best interests and the best interests of our member-owners, even if that compensation ultimately is not deductible for tax purposes. Insider Trading Policy CHS is committed to promoting high standards of ethical business conduct and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. As part of this commitment, we have an Insider Trading Policy governing the purchase, sale and/or other dispositions of our securities by our directors, officers, employees and third-party contractors, that we believe is reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and the exchange listing standards applicable to us. A copy of our Insider Trading Policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Shareholder Advisory Votes on Executive Compensation Because we are not subject to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, we are not required to, and do not, conduct shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation. 65 Table of Contents Summary Compensation Table Name and Principal Position Year Salary (1) Bonus (1)(2) Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation (1)(3) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (1)(4) All Other Compensation (1)(5-10) Total (1) (Dollars) Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer 2023 $ 1,348,088 — $ 10,685,281 $ 1,109,326 $ 458,759 $ 13,601,454 2022 1,300,316 — 12,145,152 661,879 372,610 14,479,957 2021 1,274,819 — 7,229,841 816,884 127,858 9,449,402 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 2023 640,000 — 4,324,000 146,672 177,920 5,288,592 2022 590,000 — 3,677,444 114,130 139,019 4,520,593 2021 570,000 100,000 1,866,304 129,853 259,825 2,925,982 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel 2023 602,767 400,000 4,114,852 138,124 176,677 5,432,420 2022 581,400 400,000 3,124,550 121,053 241,139 4,468,142 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy 2023 603,730 — 4,124,032 228,585 176,585 5,132,932 2022 584,659 — 4,391,964 49,859 150,806 5,177,288 2021 573,195 — 2,507,251 265,462 54,494 3,400,402 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 2023 581,667 — 3,902,332 230,942 169,553 4,884,494 2022 545,000 — 3,357,742 54,067 124,456 4,081,265 2021 491,274 — 1,753,155 127,620 37,146 2,409,195 (1) Information on Mr. Smith includes compensation beginning in fiscal 2022, the first year in which he became a Named Executive Officer. (2) Includes hiring bonus payment to Ms. Nelligan of $100,000 in fiscal 2021; hiring bonus payments of $400,000 to Mr. Smith in fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023. (3) Amounts include retention awards earned in fiscal 2022, annual variable pay awards and long-term incentive awards. The Board of Directors approved a retention award for certain of our senior officers, including each of the Named Executive Officers who were both active participants in the 2016-2018 ELTIP and active employees on the date the retention award was approved. Pursuant to its original terms, the retention award would generally be earned only if the participant continued active employment through January 1, 2021. In November 2020, our Board of Directors modified the terms of the retention award to provide that it would generally only be earned if the applicable participant continued active employment through January 1, 2022. The actual retention award value was distributed as follows in fiscal 2022: Mr. Debertin, $1,768,125, Mr. Hunhoff, $371,000, and Mr. Griffith, $180,400. Because Ms. Nelligan and Mr. Smith were not active participants in the 2016-2018 ELTIP or actively employed by us on the date the retention award was approved, they were not granted a retention award. The actual annual variable pay award value was as follows in fiscal 2 023, 2022 and 2021, respectively : Mr. Debertin, $4,096,800, $3,939,192 and $3,357,300; Ms. Nelligan, $1,518,000, $1,380,000 and $1,150,862; Mr. Smith, $1,404,380 and $1,350,330 (Mr. Smith was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2021); Mr. Hunhoff, $1,403,920, $1,357,900 and $1,157,313; and Mr. Griffith, $1,380,000, $1,253,500 and $1,009,528. The actual long-term incentive award value was as follows in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $6,588,481, $6,437,835 and $3,872,541; Ms. Nelligan, $2,806,000, $2,297,444 and $715,442; Mr. Smith, $2,710,472, $1,774,220 (Mr. Smith was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2021); Mr. Hunhoff, $2,720,112, $2,663,064 and $1,349,938; and Mr. Griffith, $2,522,332, $1,923,842 and $743,627. (4) This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the Named Executive Officer's benefit under his or her retirement program and nonqualified earnings, if applicable. The aggregate change in the actuarial present value was as follows in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $973,758,$334,447 and $504,012; Ms. Nelligan, $135,559, $88,098 and $118,911; Mr. Smith, $129,192 and $112,719 (Mr. Smith was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2021); Mr. Hunhoff, $210,620, $(320,238) and $224,788; and Mr. Griffith, $228,368, $48,145 and $123,725. Negative values are not reflected in the sum reported in the column. 66 Table of Contents Above-market earnings on deferred compensation represent earnings exceeding 120% of the Federal Reserve long-term rate as determined by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") on applicable funds and was as follows in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively: Mr. Debertin, $135,568, $327,432 and $312,872; Ms. Nelligan, $11,113, $26,032 and $10,942; Mr. Smith, $8,932 and $8,334 (Mr. Smith was not a Named Executive Officer in fiscal 2021); Mr. Hunhoff, $17,965, $49,859 and $40,674; and Mr. Griffith, $2,574, $5,922 and $3,895. (5) Includes fiscal 2023 employer contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Debertin, $429,667; Ms. Nelligan, $151,525; Mr. Smith, $147,907, Mr. Hunhoff, $148,830; and Mr. Griffith, $136,098. (6) Includes fiscal 2023 employer contribution to the 401(k) Plan: Mr. Debertin, $17,650; Ms. Nelligan, $17,108; Mr. Smith, $17,775; Mr. Hunhoff $17,650; and Mr. Griffith, $17,825. (7) For fiscal 2023, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, financial planning, and companion travel for Mr. Debertin. (8) For fiscal 2023, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, and wellness program incentive for Ms. Nelligan. (10) For fiscal 2023, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, and financial planning for Mr. Smith. (9) For fiscal 2023, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, wellness program incentive, and companion travel for Mr. Hunhoff. (10) For fiscal 2023, includes executive LTD, travel accident insurance, executive physical, financial planning, and companion travel for Mr. Griffith. Agreements with Named Executive Officers On May 22, 2017, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Debertin, our President and Chief Executive Officer, which was amended by Employment Agreement Amendment No. 1 on November 5, 2020, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2 on November 3, 2021, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3 on November 1, 2022, and Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4 on November 7, 2023. The Employment Agreement, as amended by Employment Agreement Amendment No. 1, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3 and Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4, supersedes all previous agreements we had with Mr. Debertin. The Employment Agreement was entered into in order to clearly define the obligations of the parties thereto with respect to employment matters, as well as the compensation and benefits to be provided to Mr. Debertin upon termination of employment. The severance payments to which Mr. Debertin would be entitled under the Employment Agreement, as amended by Employment Agreement Amendment No. 1, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3 and Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4, if we terminated his employment without cause or if he terminated his employment for "good reason" are described below under the heading "Post Employment." Other details of the Employment Agreement, as amended by Employment Agreement, Amendment No. 1, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 3, Employment Agreement Amendment No. 4 and Mr. Debertin's employment arrangement with us are described in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. The severance payments to which Ms. Nelligan would be entitled under the Nelligan Letter Agreement if we terminated her employment without cause or if she terminated her employment for "good reason" are described below under the heading "Post Employment." Other details of the Nelligan Letter Agreement and Ms. Nelligan's employment arrangement with us are described in "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. The severance payments to which Mr. Smith would be entitled under the Smith Letter Agreement if we terminated his employment without cause or if he terminated his employment for "good reason" are described below under the heading "Post Employment." Other details of Mr. Smith's employment arrangement with us are described in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. 67 Table of Contents 2023 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Estimated Future Payouts Under Nonequity Incentive Plan Awards Name and Principal Position Grant Date Threshold Target Maximum (Dollars) Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer 9/8/22 (1) $ 984,798 $ 1,969,596 $ 3,939,192 9/8/22 (2) 1,969,596 3,939,192 7,878,384 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 9/8/22 (1) 345,000 690,000 1,380,000 9/8/22 (3) 375,000 750,000 3,000,000 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel 9/8/22 (1) 337,583 675,165 1,350,330 9/8/22 (3) 366,938 733,875 2,935,500 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy 9/8/22 (1) 339,475 678,950 1,357,899 9/8/22 (3) 368,994 737,989 2,951,955 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 9/8/22 (1) 313,375 626,750 1,253,500 9/8/22 (3) 340,625 681,250 2,725,000 (1) Represents range of possible awards under our fiscal 2023 Annual Variable Pay Plan. (2) Represents ran ge of possible awards under our ELTIP for the fiscal 2023-2025 performance period for Mr. Debertin. Values for Mr. Debertin reflect the amendments to his long-term incentive compensation opportunity made pursuant to Employment Agreement Amendment No. 2, including ELTIP target award opportunity at 3.0x base salary. Awards are measured over a three-year period and vest over an additional 28-month period. (3) Represents range of possible awards under our ELTIP for the fiscal 2023-2025 performance period for Ms. Nelligan, Mr. Smith, Mr. Hunhoff, and Mr. Griffith. Values include ELTIP target award opportunity at 1.25x base salary. Awards are measured over a three- year period and vest over an additional 28-month period. The material terms of annual variable pay and long-term incentive awards that are disclosed in this table, including the vesting schedule, are described under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. 68 Table of Contents 2023 Pension Benefits Name and Principal Position Plan Name Number of Years of Credited Service Present Value of Accumulated Benefits (Years) (Dollars) Jay Debertin (1) President and Chief Executive Officer Pension Plan 39.2500 $ 1,329,476 SERP 39.2500 6,651,683 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer Pension Plan 3.5833 52,974 SERP 3.5833 327,078 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel Pension Plan 2.4167 34,820 SERP 2.4167 235,134 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy Pension Plan 31.2500 801,172 SERP 31.2500 1,463,730 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging Pension Plan 22.1667 364,752 SERP 22.1667 716,875 (1) Mr. Debertin is eligible for early retirement in both the Pension Plan and the SERP. The above table shows the present value of accumulated retirement benefits that Named Executive Officers are entitled to under the Pension Plan and the SERP. For a discussion of the material terms and conditions of the Pension Plan and the SERP, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. The present value of accumulated benefits is determined in accordance with the same assumptions outlined in Note 13, Benefit Plans , of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K: • Discount rate of 5.36 % for the Pension Plan and 5.20% for the SERP; • Each Named Executive Officer is assumed to retire at the earliest retirement age at which unreduced benefits are available (age 65). The early retirement benefit under the cash balance plan formula is equal to the participant’s account balance; and • Payments under the cash balance formula of the Pension Plan assume a lump sum payment. SERP benefits are payable as a lump sum. The normal form of benefit for a single Named Executive Officer is a life-only annuity, and for a married Named Executive Officer the normal form of benefit is a 50% joint and survivor annuity. Other annuity forms are also available on an actuarial equivalent basis. A lump sum option is also available. All Named Executive Officers' retirement benefits at normal retirement age will be equal to their accumulated benefits under the Pension Plan and the SERP, as described under "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. 69 Table of Contents 2023 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Name and Principal Position Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year (1) Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year (2) Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year (3) Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions Aggregate Balance at Last Fiscal Year End (2)(4) (Dollars) Jay Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer $ 4,251,047 $ 6,857,405 $ 2,467,758 $ 3,776,026 $ 36,854,330 Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 740,000 2,443,002 301,960 — 5,305,954 Brandon Smith Executive Vice President, General Counsel — 1,915,835 79,972 — 2,557,979 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy — 2,805,636 895,386 — 11,381,063 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 318,825 2,053,847 431,228 — 5,611,387 (1) Includes contributions into the Deferred Compensation Plan by the Named Executive Officers representing deferred salary and deferred annual incentive pay. A portion of the contributions reported in this column are included within the amount reported as fiscal 2023 salary in the "Salary" column of the Summary Compensation Table. The specific amounts reported as fiscal 2023 salary in the Summary Compensation Table are: Mr. Debertin, $404,426; Ms. Nelligan, $50,000; and Mr. Griffith, $5,450. Another portion of the contributions reported in this column are included within the amount reported as 2022 nonequity incentive plan compensation in the "Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table. Those contributions were made in early fiscal 2023 based on fiscal 2022 results. The specific amounts reported as 2022 nonequity incentive plan compensation in the Summary Compensation Table are: Mr. Debertin, $3,939,192; Ms. Nelligan, $690,000; and Mr. Griffith, $313,375. (2) Contributions are made by us into the Deferred Compensation Plan on behalf of Named Executive Officers. Amounts include ELTIP contributions made in early fiscal 2023 based on fiscal 2020-2022 results, which contributions are also included in the amounts reported in the 2022 "Nonequity Incentive Plan Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $6,437,835; Ms. Nelligan, $2,297,444; Mr. Smith, $1,774,220; Mr. Hunhoff, $2,663,064; and Mr. Griffith, $1,923,842. Also included are retirement contributions made in early fiscal 2023 based on fiscal 2022 results for Profit-Sharing and 401(k) match on amounts exceeding IRS compensation limits. Those contributions, and applicable tax withholding, are also included in amounts reported in the "All Other Compensation" column of the Summary Compensation Table for fiscal 2023: Mr. Debertin, $419,570; Ms. Nelligan, $145,558; Mr. Smith, $141,615; Mr. Hunhoff, $142,572; and Mr. Griffith, $130,005. (3) The amounts in this column include the change in value of the balance, not including contributions made by or on behalf of the Named Executive Officer. Amounts include the following above-market earnings in fiscal 2023 that are also reflected in the "Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings" column of the Summary Compensation Table: Mr. Debertin, $135,568; Ms. Nelligan, $11,113; Mr. Smith, $8,932; Mr. Hunhoff, $17,965; and Mr. Griffith, $2,574. (4) Amounts vary in accordance with individual pension plan provisions and voluntary employee deferrals and withdrawals. Amounts reported in this column include amounts previously reported in CHS's Summary Compensation Table in previous fiscal years when earned if the Named Executive Officer's compensation was required to be disclosed in a previous fiscal year. Amounts previously reported in such fiscal years include earned, but deferred, salary and annual incentive pay; ELTIP contributions, retirement contributions on amounts exceeding IRS compensation limits, profit-sharing contributions and 401(k) match contributions made by us on behalf of the Named Executive Officer; and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Amounts reported in this column also include rollovers, voluntary salary and voluntary incentive plan contributions from predecessor plans with predecessor employers that have increased in value over the course of the Named Executive Officer's career. Named Executive Officers may defer up to 75% of their base salary and up to 100% of their annual variable pay to the Deferred Compensation Plan. Earnings on amounts deferred under the Deferred Compensation Plan are determined based on the investment election made by the Named Executive Officer from thirteen market-based notional investments with a varying level of risk selected by us and a fixed rate fund. The notional investment returns for fiscal 2023 were as follows: 70 Table of Contents Fund Name Symbol Investment Return Vanguard Federal Money Market Fund VMFXX 4.36 % Vanguard LifeStrategy Income Fund VASIX 2.22 % Vanguard LifeStrategy Conservative Growth Fund VSCGX 5.05 % Vanguard LifeStrategy Moderate Growth Fund VSMGX 7.94 % Vanguard LifeStrategy Growth Fund VASGX 10.78 % Vanguard International Value Fund VTRIX 16.49 % PRIMECAP Fund Admiral VPMAX 22.66 % International Growth Fund Admiral VWILX 9.92 % Institutional Index Fund Institutional Plus VIIIX 15.92 % Extended Market Index Institutional VIEIX 8.44 % Total International Stock Index Fund Institutional Shares VTSNX 12.15 % Janus Henderson Triton Fund Class N JGMNX 7.67 % American Century Small Cap Value Fund R6 Class ASVDX 5.39 % Fixed Rate Fund N/A 4.00 % Named Executive Officers may change their investment election daily. Payments of amounts deferred are made in accordance with elections by the Named Executive Officer and in accordance with Section 409A under the Internal Revenue Code. Payments under the Deferred Compensation Plan may be made at a specified date elected by the Named Executive Officer or deferred until retirement, disability, or death. Such payments would be made in a lump sum. In the event of retirement, the Named Executive Officer can elect to receive payments either in a lump sum or annual installments up to 10 years. For a discussion of the material terms and conditions of the Deferred Compensation Plan, see "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above. Post Employment Pursuant to the terms of his Employment Agreement, Mr. Debertin, our President and CEO, is entitled to severance in the event that his employment is terminated by us without cause or by him with "good reason." Specifically, severance under the Employment Agreement would consist of: • The annual incentive compensation Mr. Debertin would have been entitled to receive for the year in which his termination occurred as if he had continued until the end of that fiscal year, determined based on our actual performance for that fiscal year relative to the performance goals applicable to Mr. Debertin (with that portion of the annual incentive compensation based on completion or partial completion of previously specified personal goals equal to 30% of the target annual incentive), prorated for the number of days in the fiscal year through Mr. Debertin’s termination date and generally payable in a cash lump sum at the time that incentive awards are payable to other participants; • Two times Mr. Debertin's base salary plus two times his target annual incentive compensation, payable in three equal installments with the first installment payable 60 days following termination and the second and third installments payable on the first and second anniversary dates of termination, respectively; and • Health and welfare benefits continuation for two years following termination. The Nelligan Letter Agreement provides for severance in the event Ms. Nelligan's employment is terminated by us without cause or by her with "good reason" in the amount of one year of base pay and prorated annual variable pay, payable as a lump sum. The Smith Letter Agreement provides for severance in the event Mr. Smith's employment is terminated by us without cause or by him with "good reason" in the amount of one year of base pay and prorated annual variable pay, payable as a lump sum. During fiscal 2023, Mr. Hunhoff and Mr. Griffith we re covered by a broad-based employee severance program that provides executives with a lump sum payment of 26 weeks of pay, plus one week of pay per year of service, with a 12-month cap, in the event their position is eliminated. 71 Table of Contents The severance pay that the Named Executive Officers would have been entitled to in the specific events noted above, in each case, as of the last business day of fiscal 2023 is as follows: Name Position Amount (Dollars) Jay Debertin (1)(2) President and Chief Executive Officer $ 6,878,376 Olivia Nelligan (3) Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer 1,419,000 Brandon Smith (3) Executive Vice President, General Counsel 1,312,790 Darin Hunhoff Executive Vice President, Energy 563,446 John Griffith Executive Vice President, Ag Business and CHS Hedging 415,385 (1) Includes the value of health and welfare benefits based on current monthly rates. (2) For purposes of calculating the prorated portion of Mr. Debertin's unpaid annual variable pay award for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred, assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year. (3) Assumes an annual variable pay award at target performance for the entire fiscal year. There are no other severance benefits offered to our Named Executive Officers, except for up to 12 months of career transition services and government mandated benefits such as COBRA. Except as otherwise set forth above, the method of payment would be a lump sum. Named Executive Officers not covered by employment agreements are not offered any special postretirement health and welfare benefits that are not offered to other similarly situated (i.e., age and service) salaried employees. The compensation payable to the Named Executive Officers is subject to the Recovery Policy and the Detrimental Conduct Policy, as applicable. CEO Pay Ratio The following pay ratio and supporting information compares the annual total compensation of our CEO to our median employee, as required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The pay ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. For fiscal 2023, our last completed fiscal year: • As permitted by the SEC's pay ratio rules, we determined that we could use the same median employee that we identified last year since there were no significant changes to our overall employee population or the overall employee compensation program that would significantly impact our fiscal 2023 pay ratio. Similarly, there were no significant changes to the median employee's compensation arrangements during the fiscal year that would significantly impact the pay ratio disclosure. For more detail on how we identified the median employee, please refer to the pay ratio disclosure in our Form 10-K for fiscal year ending August 31, 2022. • The median employee's compensation, calculated in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC, was $88,202. This calculation includes a reasonable assumption regarding the median employee's achievement of individual performance goals for a portion of the annual incentive award based on historical performance. • The annual total compensation of our CEO, as reported in the Summary Compensation Table set forth above, was $13,601,454. • Based on this information, the ratio of the annual total compensation of our CEO to the median employee w as 154: 1. In adopting the pay ratio rule, the SEC expressly sought to provide flexibility to each company to determine the methodology that best suits its own facts and circumstances. Our pay ratio should not be compared to other companies' pay ratios, because it is based on a methodology specific to us, and certain material assumptions, adjustments and estimates have been made in the calculation of the ratio. 72 Table of Contents Director Compensation Overview Our Board of Directors met eight times during the fiscal year ended August 31, 2023. Each director (other than the chair of the Board) is a member of two Board committees. At a minimum, each Board committee meets during each of the Board's six regular meetings. For fiscal 2023, each nonemployee director was provided compensation as follows: • a monthly retainer equivalent to $89,000 per year from September 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022, and equivalent to $93,700 per year from January 1, 2023, through August 31, 2023, paid in 12 monthly payments; • actual expenses and a travel allowance; • additional annual compensation, as applicable, for board leadership, including $24,000 for the chair of the Board, $6,000 for the first vice chair and the secretary-treasurer, $9,000 for all Board committee chairs, and $3,000 for members of the Executive Committee who are not eligible for other premiums; • a per diem meeting fee of $500 plus actual expenses and travel allowance for each day spent at meetings other than regular Board meetings and the CHS Annual Meeting; and • a meeting fee of $250 for conference calls or other short virtual meetings other than regular Board meetings. The number of days spent at meetings other than regular Board meetings and the CHS Annual Meeting may not exceed 55 days annually, except that the chair of the Board is exempt from this limit. There is no cap on meeting fees permitted for conference calls or other short virtual meetings. These amounts (other than the $93,700 annual compensation amount), as well as the minimum retirement plan account contribution for the fiscal years 2023-2025 performance period under the Deferred Compensation Plan discussed in greater detail below, were determined after taking into account the analysis included in the market study of director compensation conducted for the Governance Committee by Mercer (U.S.), a global compensation consulting firm, in fiscal 2019. During fiscal 2023, based on a market update presented by Mercer, our Board of Directors approved increasing annual director compensation from $93,700 to $98,500, increasing the first vice chair and secretary-treasurer additional annual compensation from $6,000 to $9,000 and increasing the additional annual compensation for members of the Executive Committee who are not eligible for other premiums from $3,000 to $6,000, effective January 1, 2024. Further, directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan through a retirement plan account. Other than direct contributions, contributions to the retirement plan account in the Deferred Compensation Plan are made based on our ROIC performance during specific three-year periods, with ROIC defined in the same manner as for the ELTIP. We believe that using the ROIC performance metric for this purpose aligns the interests of our directors with the interests of our management and member-owners. The ROIC performance goal levels are established and approved by our Board of Directors prior to each three-year performance period. Deferred Compensation Plan credits are based on ROIC performance results, as detailed on the following pages. The amounts paid to our Board of Directors are subject to the Recovery Policy. Director Retirement and Health Care Benefits Members of our Board of Directors are eligible for certain retirement and health care benefits based on election date. The director retirement plan is a defined benefit plan and provides for a monthly benefit for the director's lifetime, beginning at age 60. Benefits are immediately vested and the monthly benefit is determined according to the following formula: $250 times years of service on the Board (up to a maximum of 15 years). Under no event will the benefit payment be payable for less than 120 months. Payment will be made to the retired director's beneficiary in the event of the director's death before 120 payments are made. Effective August 31, 2011, future accruals under the director retirement plan were frozen. Directors elected after that date are not eligible for benefits under that plan. Retirement benefits are funded by a rabbi trust, with a balance of $6.8 million as of August 31, 2023. Directors serving as of September 1, 2005, and their eligible dependents, are eligible to participate in our medical, life, dental and vision plans. We will pay 100% of the medical premium for the director and the eligible director's dependents while the director is active on the Board. Term life insurance cost is paid by the director. Retired directors and their dependents are eligible to continue medical and dental insurance with the premiums paid by us after they leave the Board, until they are eligible 73 Table of Contents for Medicare. In the event a director's coverage ends due to death or Medicare eligibility, we will pay 100% of the premium for the eligible spouse and eligible dependents until the spouse reaches Medicare age or upon death, if earlier. New directors elected on or after December 1, 2006, and their eligible dependents, are eligible to participate in our medical, dental and vision plans. We will pay 100% of the premium for the director and eligible dependents while the director is active on the Board. In the event a director leaves the Board prior to Medicare eligibility, premiums will be shared based on the following schedule: Years of Service Director CHS Up to 3 100% 0% 3 to 6 50% 50% 6+ 0% 100% In the event a director's coverage ends due to death or Medicare eligibility, premiums for the eligible spouse and eligible dependents will be shared based on the same schedule until the spouse reaches Medicare age or upon death, if earlier. Deferred Compensation Plan Directors are eligible to participate in the Deferred Compensation Plan. Each participating director may elect to defer up to 100% of his or her monthly director fees into the Deferred Compensation Plan. This must be done prior to the beginning of the calendar year in which the fees will be earned, or in the case of newly elected directors, upon election to the Board. During fiscal year 2023, the following directors deferred Board fees pursuant to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Beckman, Mr. Clemensen, Mr. Erickson, Mr. Fritel, Mr. Johnsrud, Mr. Kehl, Mr. Meyer and Mr. Throener. Benefits are funded in a rabbi trust. The Deferred Compensation Plan rabbi trust balance reported elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K includes amounts deferred by the directors. Each year we will credit an amount to each director's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan. The fiscal year 2023 credit to each director's retirement plan account was based on the following ROIC performance goals for fiscal years 2021-2023: Amount Credited* ROIC Performance $100,000 (Superior performance) 7.5% $50,000 (Maximum) 6.5% $25,000 (Target, minimum contribution amount) 5.5% *The amount credited for the fiscal years 2021-2023 performance period was required to be mathematically interpolated when results occurred between the superior performance, maximum and target ROIC performance levels. If results had been less than the target ROIC performance level, the amount credited would have been $25,000. Actual ROIC performance for the fiscal years 2021-2023 performance period was 13.1% and, accordingly, $100,000 was credited to each director's retirement plan account under the Deferred Compensation Plan, except $75,000 was credited for newly elected director Mr. Stroh and $8,333 was credited for former director Mr. Riegel. This amount is reflected in the Director Compensation table. Upon leaving our Board of Directors during the fiscal year, a director's credit for that partial fiscal year will be the target amount ($25,000) prorated through the end of the month in which the director departs. Directors who join our Board of Directors during the fiscal year receive credit for that partial fiscal year based on the actual ROIC for that fiscal year, prorated from the first of the month following the month in which the director joins our Board of Directors to the end of the fiscal year. 74 Table of Contents 2023 Director Compensation Name Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1) Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings (2) All Other Compensation (3) Total (Dollars) David Beckman $ 108,258 $ 51 $ 119,158 $ 227,467 Clinton J. Blew 139,133 4,695 128,448 272,276 Hal Clemensen 127,633 376 119,965 247,974 Scott Cordes 122,383 5,041 101,780 229,204 Jon Erickson 128,883 308 119,784 248,975 Mark Farrell 111,133 1,464 102,832 215,429 Steve Fritel 127,383 15 119,981 247,379 Alan Holm 126,383 1,849 121,347 249,579 David Johnsrud 135,633 1,168 120,750 257,551 Tracy Jones 122,883 178 128,678 251,739 David Kayser 121,383 4,318 129,435 255,136 Russell Kehl 127,133 138 126,944 254,215 Perry Meyer 125,383 1,260 120,113 246,756 Steve Riegel 31,167 1,405 24,339 56,911 Daniel Schurr 149,383 1,328 128,670 279,381 Jerrad Stroh 91,633 — 94,404 186,037 Kevin Throener 118,383 19 129,026 247,428 Cortney Wagner 110,383 373 100,648 211,404 (1) Of this amount, the following directors deferred the succeeding amounts to the Deferred Compensation Plan: Mr. Beckman, $18,332; Mr. Clemensen, $7,332; Mr. Erickson, $24,000; Mr. Fritel, $70,200; Mr. Johnsrud, $24,000; Mr. Kehl, $26,000; Mr. Meyer, $10,000; and Mr. Throener, $6,000. (2) This column represents both changes in pension value and above-market earnings on deferred compensation. Change in pension value is the aggregate change in the actuarial present value of the director's benefit under his retirement program, and nonqualified earnings, if applicable. The change in pension value will vary by director based on several factors including age, service, pension benefit elected (lump sum or annuity), discount rate and mortality factor used to calculate the benefit due. Future accruals under the plan were frozen as of August 31, 2011, as stated above. The following directors had the following changes in pension values during fiscal 2023: Mr. Blew, $(1,797); Mr. Fritel, $(22,427); Mr. Kayser, $(15,368); Mr. Riegel, $(12,165); and Mr. Schurr, $(5,779). Negative values are not reflected in the sum reported in this column. Above-market earnings represent earnings exceeding 120% of the Federal Reserve long-term rate on applicable funds as determined by the IRS. The following directors had above-market earnings during fiscal 2023: Mr. Beckman, $51; Mr. Blew, $4,695; Mr. Clemensen, $376; Mr. Cordes, $5,041; Mr. Erickson, $308; Mr. Farrell, $1,464; Mr. Fritel, $15; Mr. Holm, $1,849; Mr. Johnsrud, $1,168; Mr. Jones, $178; Mr. Kayser, $4,318; Mr. Kehl, $138; Mr. Meyer, $1,260; Mr. Riegel, $1,405; Mr. Schurr, $1,328; Mr. Stroh, $0; Mr. Throener, $19; and Ms. Wagner, $373. (3) All other compensation includes health insurance premiums, travel accident insurance and related companion travel expenses for trips made with a director on CHS business. Total amounts vary primarily due to the variations in health insurance premiums, which are due to the number of dependents covered. The health insurance premiums paid were less than $25,000 for each director, other than Mr. Blew, Mr. Jones, Mr. Kayser, Mr. Schurr and Mr. Throener, for whom we paid health insurance premiums of $27,800; and Mr. Kehl, for whom we paid health insurance premiums of $26,248. All other compensation also includes fiscal 2023 director retirement plan Deferred Compensation Plan contributions of $100,000 for each director, except for newly elected director Mr. Stroh, $75,000; and for former director, Mr. Riegel, $8,333. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Our Board of Directors does not have a compensation committee. The Executive Committee performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee with respect to our CEO, and the Governance Committee performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee, other than with respect to our CEO. 75 Table of Contents During fiscal 2023, the members of the Executive Committee were Messrs. Schurr (chair), Cordes (first vice chair), Blew, Holm and Kehl, and the members of the Governance Committee were Mr. Jones (chair), Mr. Kehl (vice chair), and Messrs. Blew, Cordes, Farrell and Kayser. During fiscal 2022, no executive officer of CHS served on the compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions) or board of directors of any other entity that had any executive officer who also served on the Executive Committee, the Governance Committee or our Board of Directors. None of the directors who served as a member of the Executive Committee or Governance Committee during fiscal 2023 are, or have been, officers or employees of CHS, other than Mr. Cordes, who was an employee of CHS Hedging until 2016. See Item 13, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence , of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for directors, including Messrs. Cordes, Erickson, Fritel, Johnsrud, Jones, Kayser, Kehl, Throener and Schurr who were a party to related-person transactions. Compensation Committee Report The Executive Committee (the committee of our Board of Directors that performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee with respect to our CEO) and the Governance Committee (the committee of our Board of Directors that performs the equivalent functions of a compensation committee, other than with respect to our CEO) have each reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC with management and, based on such review and discussions, each of the Executive Committee and the Governance Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Respectfully submitted, Executive Committee Daniel Schurr, Chair Clinton J. Blew Scott Cordes Alan Holm Russell Kehl Governance Committee Tracy Jones, Chair Clinton J. Blew Scott Cordes Mark Farrell David Kayser Russell Kehl 76 Table of Contents ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS Beneficial ownership of our equity securities by each member of our Board of Directors, each of our Named Executive Officers and all members of our Board of Directors and executive officers as a group as of October 18, 2023, is shown below. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table, each person has sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares attributable to such person. Title of Class 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Name of Beneficial Owner Amount of Beneficial Ownership % of Class (1) Amount of Beneficial Ownership % of Class (2) Directors: (Shares) (Shares) David Beckman — * — * Clinton J. Blew — * — * Hal Clemensen — * — * Scott Cordes (3) — * 14,850 * Jon Erickson — * — * Mark Farrell 3,000 * — * Steven Fritel — * — * Alan Holm — * — * David Johnsrud — * 1,650 * Tracy Jones — * — * David Kayser — * 630 * Russell Kehl — * — * Perry Meyer (3) 120 * 6,000 * Daniel Schurr — * — * Jerrad Stroh — * — * Kevin Throener — * — * Cortney Wagner — * — * Named Executive Officers: Jay Debertin (3) 1,200 * — * John Griffith — * — * Darin Hunhoff 676 * — * Olivia Nelligan — * — * Brandon Smith — * — * All other executive officers — * — * Directors and executive officers as a group 4,996 * 23,130 * *Less than 1%. (1) As of October 18, 2023, there were 12,272,003 shares of 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding. (2) As of October 18, 2023, there were 78,659,066 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock outstanding with 21,459,066, 16,800,000, 19,700,000 and 20,700,000 attributed to Series 1, Series 2, Series 3 and Series 4, respectively. (3) Includes shares held by spouse, children and Individual Retirement Accounts. We have no compensation plans under which our equity securities are authorized for issuance. To our knowledge, there is no person or group who is a beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class or series of our preferred stock. 77 Table of Contents ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE Because our directors must be active patrons of CHS or of an affiliated association, transactions between us and our directors are customary and expected. Transactions include the sales of commodities to us and the purchases of products and services from us, as well as patronage refunds and equity redemptions received from us. During the year ended August 31, 2023, the value of those transactions between a particular director (and any immediate family member of a director, which includes any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director) and us in which the total amount involved exceeded $120,000 is shown below. Transaction Type Name Transactions with CHS Cash Patronage Dividends (Dollars) Scott Cordes $ 936,054 $ 4,425 Jon Erickson 551,135 12,906 David Johnsrud 3,258,655 40,449 Tracy Jones 4,705,785 56,800 David Kayser 1,295,657 20,999 Russell Kehl 8,388,913 168,872 Perry Meyer 265,993 — Kevin Throener 2,071,531 23,740 Additionally, Clemensen Farms, Inc., which is owned by our director Hal Clemensen, entered into a crop input loan with CHS Capital in November 2022 ("Clemensen Loan"). The Clemensen Loan has an interest rate of 0% per annum, and it matures in February 2024. The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Clemensen Loan during the year ended August 31, 2023, and the balance on August 31, 2023, was $232,466. In addition, Kehl Farms, LLC, which is owned by our director Russell Kehl, entered into two 2023 crop inputs loans with CHS Capital for the purchase of crop inputs, seeds, supplies and fuel in February 2023 ("Kehl Loans"). The Kehl Loans accrue interest at the rates of 11.4% and 2.5% per annum, payable upon maturity in February 2024. The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Kehl Loans during the year ended August 31, 2023, and the balance on August 31, 2023, was $4,587,017. During the year ended August 31, 2023, no principal or interest was paid on the Kehl Loans. Also, in December 2021, our director Kevin Throener entered into a crop inputs loan with CHS Capital with a maturity date in December 2023 ("Throener Loan"). The largest aggregate amount of principal outstanding under the Throener Loan during the year ended August 31, 2023, and the balance on August 31, 2023, was $212,263. During the year ended August 31, 2023, $514 in interest was paid on the Throener Loan. The terms of these financing arrangements were provided pursuant to financing programs widely available to our qualified customers. In addition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, CHS Hedging, LLC, is a clearing broker, and from time to time our directors and their affiliates may place orders and clear trades with CHS Hedging in the ordinary course of business. CHS Hedging handles such trades on substantially the same terms and conditions as other similarly situated individuals who are not directors. Review, Approval or Ratification of Related Party Transactions Pursuant to its amended and restated charter, our Audit Committee has responsibility for review and approval of all transactions between CHS and any related parties or affiliates of CHS, including its officers and directors, other than transactions in the ordinary course of business and on market terms. Related persons can include any of our directors or executive officers and any of their immediate family members, as defined by the SEC. In evaluating related person transactions, the committee members apply the same standards they apply to their general responsibilities as members of the Audit Committee. The committee will approve a related person transaction when, in its good faith judgment, the transaction is in the best interest of CHS. To identify related person transactions, each year we require our directors and officers to complete a questionnaire identifying any transactions with CHS in which the officers or directors or their immediate family members have an interest. We also review our business records to identify potentially qualifying transactions between a related party and us. In addition, we have a written policy addressing related persons (included in our Code of Conduct) that describes our expectation that all directors, officers and employees who may have a potential or apparent conflict of interest will notify our legal department of any such transactions. 78 Table of Contents Director Independence We are a Minnesota cooperative corporation managed by a Board of Directors made up of 17 members. Nomination and election of the directors is done by eight separate regions. In addition to meeting other requirements for directorship, candidates must reside in the region from which they are elected. Directors are elected for three-year terms. The terms of directors are staggered and no more than seven director positions are elected at an annual meeting of members. Nominations for director elections are made by the voting members at each region caucus held during our annual meeting of members. Neither the Board of Directors nor management of CHS participates in the nomination process. Accordingly, we have no nominating committee. The following directors satisfy the definition of director independence set forth in the rules of The Nasdaq: Independent Directors David Beckman Steve Fritel Daniel Schurr Clinton J. Blew Alan Holm Jerrad Stroh Hal Clemensen David Kayser Kevin Throener Jon Erickson Russell Kehl Cortney Wagner Mark Farrell Perry Meyer Further, although we do not need to rely upon an exemption for the Board of Directors as a whole, we are exempt pursuant to The Nasdaq rules from The Nasdaq director independence requirements as they relate to the makeup of the Board of Directors as a whole and the makeup of the committee performing the functions of a compensation committee. The Nasdaq exemption applies to cooperatives that are structured to comply with relevant state law and federal tax law and that do not have a publicly traded class of common stock. All of the members of our Audit Committee are independent. All of the members of our Governance Committee and Executive Committee (the committees of our Board of Directors that perform the equivalent functions of a compensation committee) are independent other than Mr. Cordes and Mr. Jones. Independence of CEO and Board Chair Positions Our bylaws prohibit any employee of CHS from serving on the Board of Directors. Accordingly, our CEO may not serve as chair of the Board or in any CHS Board capacity. We believe this leadership structure creates independence between the Board and management and is an important feature of appropriate checks and balances in the governance of CHS. Board of Directors' Role in Risk Oversight It is senior management's responsibility to identify, assess and manage our exposures to risk. Our Board of Directors plays an important and significant role in overseeing the overall risk management approach, including the review and, where appropriate, approval of guidelines and policies that govern our risk management process. Our management and Board of Directors have jointly identified multiple broad categories of risk exposure, each of which could impact operations and affect results at an enterprise level. Each such significant enterprise level risk is reviewed periodically by management with the Board of Directors and/or a committee of the Board as appropriate. The review includes an analysis by management of the continued applicability of the risk, our performance in managing or mitigating the risk, and possible additional or emerging risks to consider. As additional areas of risk are identified, our Board of Directors and/or a committee of the Board provide a review and oversight of management's actions to identify, assess and manage that risk. We continue to develop a formal enterprise risk management program intended to support integration of the risk assessment and management discipline and controls into major decision-making and business processes. The Corporate Risk Committee is involved in reviewing and approving the enterprise risk management framework and is responsible for overseeing its effectiveness on an ongoing basis. When appropriate, the Corporate Risk Committee meets jointly with the Audit Committee to discuss common financial or other risks across CHS that may have potential material impact to our financial statements. 79 Table of Contents ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES The following table shows the aggregate fees billed to us by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for services rendered during the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Audit fees (1) $ 5,270 $ 4,927 Audit-related fees (2) 57 254 Tax fees (3) 1,137 19 All other fees (4) 5 8 Total $ 6,469 $ 5,208 (1) Includes fees for audit of annual financial statements and reviews of the related quarterly financial statements and certain statutory audits. (2) Includes fees for employee benefit plan audits, due diligence on acquisitions and internal control and system audit procedures. (3) Includes fees related to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. (4) Includes fees related to other professional services performed. In accordance with the CHS Inc. Audit Committee Charter, as amended, our Audit Committee adopted the following policies and procedures for the approval of the engagement of an independent registered public accounting firm for audit, review or attest services and for preapproval of certain permissible nonaudit services, all to ensure auditor independence. Our independent registered public accounting firm will provide audit, review and attest services only at the direction of, and pursuant to engagement fees and terms approved by our Audit Committee. Our Audit Committee approves in advance all nonaudit services to be performed by the independent auditors and the fees and compensation to be paid to the independent auditors. Our Audit Committee approved 100% of the services listed above in advance. 80 Table of Contents PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a)(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following financial statements are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Page No. Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID No. 238 ) F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 202 3 and 202 2 F-3 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 202 3 , 202 2 and 202 1 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended August 31, 202 3 , 202 2 and 202 1 F-5 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equities for the years ended August 31, 202 3 , 202 2 and 202 1 F-6 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended August 31, 202 3 , 202 2 and 202 1 F-7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-8 (a)(2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES SCHEDULE II — VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES Balance at Beginning of Year Additions: Charged to Costs and Expenses* Deductions: Write-offs, Net of Recoveries Balance at End of Year (Dollars in thousands) Allowances for doubtful accounts 2023 $ 127,917 $ 2,348 $ ( 53,638 ) $ 76,627 2022 143,722 25,289 ( 41,094 ) 127,917 2021 165,540 10,175 ( 31,993 ) 143,722 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets 2023 $ 189,685 $ 9,705 $ ( 16,924 ) $ 182,466 2022 208,810 18,341 ( 37,466 ) 189,685 2021 219,891 11,700 ( 22,781 ) 208,810 *Net of reserve adjustments. 81 Table of Contents (a)(3) EXHIBITS EXHIBIT INDEX 2.1 Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement dated as of December 18, 2015 between CHS Inc. and CF Industries Sales, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015). (**) 3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of CHS Inc. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 7, 2021). 3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws of CHS Inc. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 6 , 2022). 4.1 Amended and Restated Resolution Creating a Series of Preferred Equity to be Designated 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-101916), filed January 14, 2003). 4.2 Form of Certificate Representing 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-101916), filed January 23, 2003). 4.3 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors Amending the Amended and Restated Resolution Creating a Series of Preferred Equity to be Designated 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 333-101916), filed January 23, 2003). 4.4 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors Amending the Amended and Restated Resolution Creating a Series of Preferred Equity to be Designated 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock to change the record date for dividends. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2003, filed July 2, 2003). 4.5 Resolution Amending the Terms of the 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock to Provide for Call Protection. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 19, 2013). 4.6 Amended and Restated Resolution Creating Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-190019), filed September 13, 2013). 4.7 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors of CHS Inc. Relating to the Terms of the Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed September 20, 2013). 4.8 Form of Certificate Representing Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 2 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-190019), filed September 13, 2013). 4.9 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors Relating to the Terms of the Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed March 5, 2014). 4.10 Form of Certificate Representing Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2. (Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to our Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-193891), filed February 26, 2014). 4.11 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors Relating to the Terms of the Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed September 10, 2014). 4.12 Form of Certificate Representing Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed September 10, 2014). 4.13 Unanimous Written Consent Resolution of the Board of Directors Relating to the Terms of the Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 4. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed January 14, 2015). 4.14 Form of Certificate Representing Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 4. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-36079), filed January 14, 2015). 4.15 Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019, filed November 6, 2019). 10.1 Employment Agreement between CHS Inc. and Jay D. Debertin dated and effective May 22, 2017. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 22, 2017). (+) 10.1A Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2020, between CHS Inc. and Jay D. Debertin. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). (+) 82 Table of Contents 10.1B Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 3, 2021, between CHS Inc. and Jay D. Debertin. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). (+) 10.1C Amendment No. 3 to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 1, 2022, between CHS Inc. and Jay D. Debertin (Incorporated by reference to our F orm 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, filed November 2, 2022) . (+) 10.1D Amendment No. 4 to Employment Agreement, dated as of November 7, 2023, between CHS Inc. and Jay D. Debertin. (*)(+) 10.2 CHS Inc. Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (2023 Restatement). (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2023, filed April 5, 2023). (+) 10.3 CHS Inc. FY24 Annual Variable Pay Plan Master Plan Document (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2023, filed July 13, 2023). (+) 10.4 CHS Inc. Executive Long-Term Incentive Plan Document (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2023, filed July 13, 2023). (+) 10.4A CHS Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan Document. (*)(+) 10.5 CHS Inc. Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2010, filed July 8, 2010). (+) 10.5A Amendment No. 1 to the CHS Inc. Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2011, filed November 14, 2011). (+) 10.5B Amendment No. 2 to the CHS Inc. Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2012, filed November 7, 2012). (+) 10.6 Trust Under the CHS Inc. Nonemployee Director Retirement Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2010, filed July 8, 2010). (+) 10.7 Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement between CHS Inc. and Prudential Capital Group dated as of April 13, 2004. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2004, filed July 12, 2004). 10.7A Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated April 9, 2007, among CHS Inc., Prudential Investment Management, Inc. and the Prudential Affiliate parties. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2007, filed April 9, 2007). 10.7B Amendment No. 2 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement and Senior Series J Notes totaling $50 million issued February 8, 2008. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 11, 2008). 10.7C Amendment No. 3 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement, effective as of November 1, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2010, filed January 11, 2011). 10.7D Amendment No. 4 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of June 9, 2011, between CHS Inc. and the purchasers of notes party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2015, filed November 23, 2015). 10.7E Amendment No. 5 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of December 21, 2012, between CHS Inc. and the purchasers of notes party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2015, filed November 23, 2015). 10.7F Amendment No. 6 to Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement dated as of September 4, 2015, between CHS Inc. and the purchasers of notes party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 11, 2015). 10.8 CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan Master Plan Document (2023 Restatement). (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2023, filed April 5, 2023). (+) 10.9 Beneficiary Designation Form for the CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2009, filed November 10, 2009). (+) 10.10 New Plan Participants 2011 Plan Agreement and Election Form for the CHS Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-177326), filed October 14, 2011). (+) 10.11 Agreement Regarding Distribution of Assets, by and among CHS Inc., United Country Brands, LLC, Land O'Lakes, Inc. and Winfield Solutions, LLC, made as of September 4, 2007. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2007, filed November 20, 2007). 10.12 Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2011, filed November 14, 2011). 10.12A Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2012, filed November 7, 2012). 83 Table of Contents 10.12B Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2017, filed July 14, 2017). 10.12C Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2017, filed July 14, 2017). 10.12D Amendment No. 4 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2017, filed July 14, 2017). 10.12E Amendment No. 5 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). 10.12F Amendment No. 6 to Amended and Restated Loan Origination and Participation Agreement dated as of September 1, 2011, by and among AgStar Financial Services, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial, and CHS Capital, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). 10.13 Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated February 1, 2012, between CHS Inc. and Cargill, Incorporated. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed February 1, 2012). 10.13A Second Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement, dated April 1, 2023, between CHS Inc. and Cargill, Incorporated. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2023, filed July 13, 2023). 10.14 Note Purchase Agreement between CHS Inc. and certain accredited investors ($500,000,000) dated as of June 9, 2011. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed June 13, 2011). 10.14A Amendment No. 1 to Note Purchase Agreement dated as of September 4, 2015, between CHS Inc. and the purchasers of notes party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 11, 2015). 10.15 Joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill, Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated March 4, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2013, filed July 10, 2013). 10.15A Amendment No. 1 to the joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated April 30, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2015, filed November 23, 2015). 10.15B Amendment No. 2 to the joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated May 31, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2015, filed November 23, 2015). 10.15C Amendment No. 3 to the joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated July 24, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2015, filed November 23, 2015). 10.15D Amendment No. 4 to the joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated March 27, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended February 28, 2014, filed April 3, 2014). 10.15E Amendment No. 5 to the joint venture agreement among CHS Inc., Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Foods, Inc., dated May 25, 2014. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2014, filed July 9, 2014). 10.16 Resolutions Amending the Long-Term Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 3, 2013). (+) 10.17 Amended and Restated Supply Agreement dated as of December 18, 2015 between CHS Inc. and CF Industries Nitrogen LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed December 21, 2015). (**) 10.18 2023 Third Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (5-Year Revolving Loan), dated as of April 21, 2023, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, for its own benefit as a lender and as the administrative agent and the bid agent for the benefit of the present and future lenders, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, for its own benefit as a lender and as the syndication agent, and the other lenders thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 25, 2023). 10.19 2019 Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (5-Year Revolving Loan), dated as of July 16, 2019, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, for its own benefit as a syndication party and as the administrative agent for the benefit of the present and future syndication parties, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, for their own benefit as syndication parties and as syndication agents, and the other syndication parties party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 19, 2019). 10.20 2015 Credit Agreement (10-Year Term Loan) dated as of September 4, 2015, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, as a syndication party and as the administrative agent for the benefit of all present and future syndication parties, and the other syndication parties party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 11, 2015). 84 Table of Contents 10.20A Amendment No. 1 to 2015 Credit Agreement (10-Year Term Loan), dated as of June 30, 2016, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, as a syndication party and as the administrative agent for the benefit of all present and future syndication parties, and the other syndication parties thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2016, filed July 7, 2016). 10.20B Amendment No. 2 to 2015 Credit Agreement (10-Year Term Loan), dated as of July 16, 2019, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, for its own benefit as a syndication party and as the administrative agent for the benefit of the present and future syndication parties, and the other syndication parties party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 19, 2019). 10.20C Amendment No. 3 to 2015 Credit Agreement (10–Year Term Loan), dated as of February 19, 2021, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, for its own benefit as a syndication party and as the administrative agent for the benefit of the present and future syndication parties, and the other syndication parties party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed, February 24, 2021). 10.20D Amendment No. 4 to 2015 Credit Agreement (10-Year Term Loan), dated as of April 21, 2023, by and between CHS Inc., CoBank, ACB, for its own benefit as a lender and as the administrative agent for the benefit of the present and future lenders, and the other lenders party thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed April 25, 2023). 10.21 Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 14, 2016, among CHS Inc. and each of the Purchasers signatory thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 21, 2016). 10.22 Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 14, 2020, among CHS Inc. and each of the Purchasers signatory thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed August 14, 2020). 10.23 Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of January 24, 2023, among CHS Inc. and each of the Purchasers signatory thereto. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 25, 2023). 10.24 Sale and Contribution Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2016, by and among CHS Inc., CHS Capital, LLC and Cofina Funding, LLC. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016, filed November 3, 2016). 10.24A Omnibus Amendment No. 1, dated as of February 14, 2017, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on 8-K, filed February 15, 2017). 10.24B Omnibus Amendment No. 2, dated as of July 18, 2017, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017, filed November 9, 2017). 10.24C Omnibus Amendment No. 3, dated as of September 4, 2018, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto, the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent, and U.S. Bank National Association, as custodian. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed December 3, 2018). 10.24D Omnibus Amendment No. 5, dated as of June 27, 2019, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, PNC Bank, National Association, as an alternate purchaser and as a purchaser agent, each of the other conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019, filed November 6, 2019). 10.24E Omnibus Amendment No. 6, dated as of May 1, 2020, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 31, 2020, filed July 7, 2020). 10.24F Omnibus Amendment No. 7, dated as of June 26, 2020, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 85 Table of Contents 10.24G Omnibus Amendment No. 8, dated as of September 24, 2020, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 10.24H Omnibus Amendment No. 9, dated as of July 30, 2021, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). 10.24I Omnibus Amendment No. 10, dated as of August 31, 2021, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). 10.25 Receivables Financing Agreement dated July 22, 2016, by and among CHS Inc., individually and as a Servicer, Cofina Funding, LLC, as Seller, Victory Receivables Corporation and Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation B.V., as Conduit Purchasers, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., as a Committed Purchaser, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as Purchaser Agent, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as a Committed Purchaser, Purchaser Agent and as Administrative Agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2016, filed November 3, 2016). 10.25A Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement dated July 18, 2017, by and among CHS Inc., individually and as a Servicer, Cofina Funding, LLC, as Seller, Victory Receivables Corporation and Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation B.V., as Conduit Purchasers, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., as a Committed Purchaser, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as Purchaser Agent, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as a Committed Purchaser, Purchaser Agent and as Administrative Agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017, filed November 9, 2017). 10.25B First Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 28, 2018, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as Seller, CHS Inc., as Servicer, the Conduit Purchasers, Committed Purchasers and Purchaser Agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. (f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.), as Administrative Agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed July 5, 2018). 10.25C Eleventh Amendment to Amended and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2022, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as an originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent . (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, filed November 2, 2022). 10.25D Twelfth Amendment and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2023, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer and as originator, CHS Capital, LLC, as an originator, each of the conduit purchasers, committed purchasers and purchaser agents set forth on the signature pages thereto and MUFG Bank Ltd. f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ. Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent . (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly report ended May 31, 2023, filed July 13, 2023). 10.25E Thirteenth Amendment and Restated Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2023, by and among Cofina Funding, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as servicer (*) 10.26 Performance Guaranty, dated as of July 22, 2016, executed by CHS Inc. in favor of The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as administrative agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020. filed November 5, 2020). 10.26A Reaffirmation of Performance Guaranty dated July 18, 2017, by and among CHS Inc., individually and as a Servicer, Cofina Funding, LLC, as Seller, Victory Receivables Corporation and Nieuw Amsterdam Receivables Corporation B.V., as Conduit Purchasers, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., as a Committed Purchaser, Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A., New York Branch, as Purchaser Agent, and the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd., New York Branch, as a Committed Purchaser, Purchaser Agent and as Administrative Agent. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2017, filed November 9, 2017). 10.27 Master Framework Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2018 (the "Framework Agreement"), by and among MUFG Bank, Ltd. (f/k/a The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Ltd.) and each other financial institution from time to time party thereto, as MFA Buyers, MUFG Bank, Ltd., as agent for the MFA Buyers, CHS Inc. and CHS Capital, LLC, as sellers, and CHS Inc., as agent for the sellers. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed December 3, 2018). 10.27A Amendment No. 1 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of July 23, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2019, filed January 8, 2020). 86 Table of Contents 10.27B Amendment No. 2 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2019. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 30, 2019, filed January 8, 2020). 10.27C Amendment No. 3 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2020. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 10.27D Amendment No. 4 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of September 24, 2020. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 10.27E Amendment No. 5 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2021. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2021, filed November 4, 2021). 10.27F Amendment No. 6 to the Framework Agreement, dated as of August 30, 2022. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, filed November 2, 20222). 10.28 Master Framework Agreement, dated as of July 11, 2023 (the "Framework Agreement), by and among Coöperatieve Rabobank, U.A., New York Branch, a Dutch coöperatieve acting through its New York Branch, as buyer, CHS Inc. and CHS Capital, LLC, as sellers, and CHS Inc., as agent for the sellers. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-Q for the quarterly report ended May 31, 2023, filed July 13, 2023). 10.29 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2018, between CHS Inc. and the buyer under the Framework Agreement, including Annex I thereto (and as amended thereby). (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed December 3, 2018). 10.29A Amendment No. 1 to 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2020, between CHS Inc., as seller, and MUFG Bank Ltd., as buyer. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 10.30 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of September 4, 2018, between CHS Capital, LLC and the buyer under the Framework Agreement, including Annex I thereto (and as amended thereby). (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed December 3, 2018). 10.30A Amendment No. 1 to 1996 SIFMA Master Repurchase Agreement, dated as of June 26, 2020, between CHS Capital, LLC, as seller, CHS Inc., as guarantor, and MUFG Bank Ltd., as buyer. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2020, filed November 5, 2020). 10.31 Guaranty, dated as of September 4, 2018, by CHS Inc. in favor of the buyer under the Framework Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2018, filed December 3, 2018). 10.32 Letter Agreement, dated January 7, 2020, between CHS Inc. and Olivia Nelligan. (Incorporated by reference to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed January 21, 2020). (+) 10.33 Letter Agreement, dated January 1, 2021, between CHS Inc. and Brandon Smith. (Incorporated by reference to our Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2022, filed November 2, 2022). (+) 19.1 Insider Trading Policy . (*) 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (*) 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. (*) 24.1 Power of Attorney. (*) 31.1 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (*) 31.2 Certification Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (*) 32.1 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (*) 32.2 Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. (*) 101.INS XBRL Instance Document (the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document). 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. (*) 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. (*) 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. (*) 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document. (*) 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. (*) 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (Formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). (*) Filed herewith. (**) Portions of Exhibits 2.1 and 10.17 have been omitted pursuant to a confidential treatment order under the Exchange Act. (+) Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. 87 Table of Contents (b) EXHIBITS The exhibits shown in Item 15(a)(3) of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are being filed herewith. (c) SCHEDULES None. ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY None. 88 Table of Contents SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on November 8, 2023. CHS INC. By: /s/ Jay D. Debertin Jay D. Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on November 8, 2023: Signature Title /s/ Jay D. Debertin President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) Jay D. Debertin /s/ Olivia Nelligan Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Strategy Officer (principal financial officer) Olivia Nelligan /s/ Daniel Lehmann Senior Vice President Finance, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer (principal accounting officer) Daniel Lehmann * Chair of the Board of Directors Daniel Schurr * Director David Beckman * Director Clinton J. Blew * Director Hal Clemensen * Director Scott A. Cordes * Director Jon Erickson * Director Mark Farrell * Director Steve Fritel * Director Alan Holm 89 Table of Contents * Director David Johnsrud * Director Tracy G. Jones * Director David R. Kayser * Director Russell A. Kehl * Director Perry Meyer * Director Jerrad Stroh * Director Kevin Throener * Director Cortney Wagner *By /s/ Jay D. Debertin Jay D. Debertin Attorney-in-fact 90 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of CHS Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of CHS Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company") as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of changes in equities and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2023, including the related notes and schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts and reserves for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2023, appearing under Item 15(a)(2) (collectively referred to as the "consolidated financial statements"). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended August 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinion These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. Critical Audit Matters The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (i) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (ii) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates. Valuation of Grain Inventories and Grain Forward Commodity Purchase and Sales Contracts As described in Notes 4, 15, and 16 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company's grain and oilseed inventories were $1,100.0 million as of August 31, 2023, and commodity derivatives in an asset and liability position were $280.4 million and $349.1 million, respectively, as of August 31, 2023, of which grain and oilseed make up the majority of forward commodity purchase and sales contracts. Management enters into various derivative instruments to manage the Company's exposure to movements primarily associated with agricultural and energy commodity prices. The net realizable value of grain inventories and fair value of grain forward commodity purchase and sales contracts are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments. Location-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand and are generally based on broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or over-the-counter markets. F-1 Table of Contents The principal considerations for our determination that performing procedures relating to the valuation of grain inventories and grain forward commodity purchase and sales contracts is a critical audit matter are (i) the significant judgment by management to determine the net realizable value of grain inventories and the fair value of grain forward commodity purchase and sales contracts and (ii) a high degree of auditor judgment, subjectivity and effort in performing procedures and evaluating management's inputs related to exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments. Addressing the matter involved performing procedures and evaluating audit evidence in connection with forming our overall opinion on the consolidated financial statements. These procedures included, among others, (i) testing management's process for determining the net realizable value of grain inventories and the fair value of grain forward commodity purchase and sales contracts; (ii) evaluating the appropriateness of the valuation models; (iii) testing the accuracy of the underlying data used in the valuations; and (iv) evaluating the reasonableness of inputs used by management related to the exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments. Evaluating management's inputs related to the exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments involved (i) comparing the exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and location-specific inputs to third-party information; and (ii) comparing the location-specific adjustments to broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or over-the-counter markets. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Minneapolis, Minnesota November 8, 2023 We have served as the Company's auditor since 1998. F-2 Table of Contents CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS August 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,765,286 $ 793,957 Receivables 3,105,811 3,548,315 Inventories 3,215,179 3,652,871 Other current assets 1,042,373 1,382,704 Total current assets 9,128,649 9,377,847 Investments 3,828,872 3,728,006 Property, plant and equipment 4,869,373 4,744,959 Other assets 1,130,524 973,995 Total assets $ 18,957,418 $ 18,824,807 LIABILITIES AND EQUITIES Current liabilities: Notes payable $ 547,923 $ 606,719 Current portion of long-term debt 7,839 290,605 Accounts payable 2,930,607 3,063,310 Accrued expenses 773,054 784,317 Other current liabilities 1,639,771 2,207,018 Total current liabilities 5,899,194 6,951,969 Long-term debt 1,819,819 1,668,209 Other liabilities 786,016 743,363 Commitments and contingencies (Note 17) Equities: Preferred stock 2,264,038 2,264,038 Equity certificates 5,911,649 5,391,236 Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 265,395 ) ( 255,335 ) Capital reserves 2,537,486 2,055,682 Total CHS Inc. equities 10,447,778 9,455,621 Noncontrolling interests 4,611 5,645 Total equities 10,452,389 9,461,266 Total liabilities and equities $ 18,957,418 $ 18,824,807 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-3 Table of Contents CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Years Ended August 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues $ 45,590,004 $ 47,791,666 $ 38,448,033 Cost of goods sold 43,213,739 45,664,745 37,496,634 Gross profit 2,376,265 2,126,921 951,399 Marketing, general and administrative expenses 1,032,765 997,835 745,602 Operating earnings 1,343,500 1,129,086 205,797 Interest expense 137,442 114,156 104,565 Other income ( 112,131 ) ( 23,760 ) ( 59,559 ) Equity income from investments ( 689,590 ) ( 771,327 ) ( 354,529 ) Income before income taxes 2,007,779 1,810,017 515,320 Income tax expense (benefit) 107,655 132,116 ( 38,249 ) Net income 1,900,124 1,677,901 553,569 Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 314 ) ( 861 ) ( 383 ) Net income attributable to CHS Inc. $ 1,900,438 $ 1,678,762 $ 553,952 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-4 Table of Contents CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Years Ended August 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Net income $ 1,900,124 $ 1,677,901 $ 553,569 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax: Pension and other postretirement benefits ( 5,285 ) ( 27,255 ) 18,295 Cash flow hedges ( 6,811 ) 4,019 ( 6,062 ) Foreign currency translation adjustment 2,036 ( 15,708 ) 5,300 Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax ( 10,060 ) ( 38,944 ) 17,533 Comprehensive income 1,890,064 1,638,957 571,102 Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 314 ) ( 861 ) ( 383 ) Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc. $ 1,890,378 $ 1,639,818 $ 571,485 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-5 Table of Contents CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITIES Years Ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 Equity Certificates Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Capital Equity Certificates Nonpatronage Equity Certificates Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Stock Capital Reserves Noncontrolling Interests Total Equities (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2020 $ 3,724,187 $ 28,727 $ 1,408,696 $ 2,264,038 $ ( 233,924 ) $ 1,618,147 $ 9,302 $ 8,819,173 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 28,000 — ( 206,970 ) — — 241,970 — 63,000 Distribution of 2020 patronage refunds — — 214,733 — — ( 244,775 ) — ( 30,042 ) Redemptions of equities ( 67,403 ) ( 290 ) ( 11,688 ) — — — — ( 79,381 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — ( 168,668 ) — ( 168,668 ) Other, net ( 873 ) ( 6 ) ( 165 ) — — ( 6,360 ) ( 454 ) ( 7,858 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 553,952 ( 383 ) 553,569 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — 17,533 — — 17,533 Estimated 2021 patronage refunds — — 230,290 — — ( 280,290 ) — ( 50,000 ) Estimated 2021 equity redemptions ( 100,000 ) — — — — — — ( 100,000 ) Balances, August 31, 2021 3,583,911 28,431 1,634,896 2,264,038 ( 216,391 ) 1,713,976 8,465 9,017,326 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 100,000 — ( 230,290 ) — — 280,290 — 150,000 Distribution of 2021 patronage refunds — — 235,576 — — ( 286,602 ) — ( 51,026 ) Redemptions of equities ( 101,420 ) ( 501 ) ( 9,897 ) — — — — ( 111,818 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — ( 168,668 ) — ( 168,668 ) Other, net ( 4,163 ) 3 ( 7,971 ) — — 585 ( 1,959 ) ( 13,505 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 1,678,762 ( 861 ) 1,677,901 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — ( 38,944 ) — — ( 38,944 ) Estimated 2022 patronage refunds 508,803 — 153,858 — — ( 1,162,661 ) — ( 500,000 ) Estimated 2022 equity redemptions ( 500,000 ) — — — — — — ( 500,000 ) Balances, August 31, 2022 3,587,131 27,933 1,776,172 2,264,038 ( 255,335 ) 2,055,682 5,645 9,461,266 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates ( 8,803 ) — ( 153,858 ) — — 1,162,661 — 1,000,000 Distribution of 2022 patronage refunds 516,415 — 154,548 — — ( 1,174,020 ) — ( 503,057 ) Redemptions of equities ( 482,662 ) ( 331 ) ( 12,797 ) — — — — ( 495,790 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — ( 168,668 ) — ( 168,668 ) Other, net ( 1,821 ) ( 44 ) ( 518 ) — — 1,677 ( 720 ) ( 1,426 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 1,900,438 ( 314 ) 1,900,124 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — ( 10,060 ) — — ( 10,060 ) Estimated 2023 patronage refunds 706,125 — 169,159 — — ( 1,240,284 ) — ( 365,000 ) Estimated 2023 equity redemptions ( 365,000 ) — — — — — — ( 365,000 ) Balances, August 31, 2023 $ 3,951,385 $ 27,558 $ 1,932,706 $ 2,264,038 $ ( 265,395 ) $ 2,537,486 $ 4,611 $ 10,452,389 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-6 Table of Contents CHS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Years Ended August 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 1,900,124 $ 1,677,901 $ 553,569 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Depreciation and amortization, including amortization of deferred major maintenance 539,521 536,493 535,498 Equity income from investments, net of distributions received ( 81,272 ) ( 48,847 ) ( 40,035 ) Provision for current expected credit losses ( 15,624 ) 19,920 6,692 Gain/recovery on sale of business 300 ( 13,083 ) ( 19,034 ) LIFO liquidations — — ( 35,258 ) Deferred taxes ( 6,429 ) 39,548 ( 11,957 ) Other, net ( 44,546 ) ( 17,833 ) ( 41,218 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables 645,781 ( 547,564 ) ( 568,752 ) Inventories 437,692 ( 317,918 ) ( 549,221 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses ( 127,399 ) 555,446 1,007,229 Other, net 36,034 62,455 ( 79,702 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 3,284,182 1,946,518 757,811 Cash flows from investing activities: Acquisition of property, plant and equipment ( 564,522 ) ( 354,444 ) ( 317,794 ) Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment 29,645 14,318 20,742 Expenditures for major maintenance ( 217,413 ) ( 24,768 ) ( 40,922 ) Proceeds from sale of business 64 73,152 81,366 Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net ( 203,843 ) ( 161,340 ) 132,268 Financing extended to customers ( 137,091 ) ( 83,514 ) ( 1,926 ) Payments from customer financing 148,690 94,388 6,892 Other investing activities, net ( 5,721 ) ( 14,876 ) 17,702 Net cash used in investing activities ( 950,191 ) ( 457,084 ) ( 101,672 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt 7,183,395 20,730,750 31,765,082 Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations ( 7,385,813 ) ( 21,515,920 ) ( 31,806,918 ) Preferred stock dividends paid ( 168,668 ) ( 168,668 ) ( 168,668 ) Redemptions of equities ( 495,790 ) ( 111,818 ) ( 79,381 ) Cash patronage dividends paid ( 503,057 ) ( 51,026 ) ( 30,042 ) Other financing activities, net ( 25,535 ) 2,994 ( 6,658 ) Net cash used in financing activities ( 1,395,468 ) ( 1,113,688 ) ( 326,585 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 2,590 ( 14,756 ) ( 4,063 ) Increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash 941,113 360,990 325,491 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 903,474 542,484 216,993 Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 1,844,587 $ 903,474 $ 542,484 Supplemental cash flow information: Cash paid for interest $ 139,424 $ 113,726 $ 102,093 Cash paid (received) for income taxes, net of refunds 184,444 19,712 ( 8,842 ) Other significant noncash investing and financing transactions: Capital expenditures and major maintenance incurred but not yet paid 66,492 55,214 28,010 Finance lease obligations incurred 16,505 18,875 12,831 Accrual of patronage dividends and equity redemptions 730,000 1,000,000 150,000 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. F-7 Table of Contents NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Note 1 Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Organization CHS Inc. (referred to herein as "CHS," "company," "we," "us" or "our") is the nation's leading integrated agricultural cooperative. As a cooperative, CHS is owned by farmers and ranchers and member cooperatives ("members") across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders who own shares of our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on the Global Select Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC ("The Nasdaq"). See Note 12, Equities , for more detailed information. We buy commodities from and provide products and services to individual agricultural producers, local cooperatives and other companies (including member and other nonmember customers), both domestically and internationally. Those products and services include initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrients and crop protection products, as well as agricultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, processed grains and oilseeds, renewable fuels and food products. A portion of our operations are conducted through equity investments and joint ventures whose operating results are not fully consolidated with our results; rather, a proportionate share of the income or loss from those entities is included as a component in our net income under the equity method of accounting. Basis of Presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all our subsidiaries and limited liability companies in which we have control. The effects of all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated. The notes to our consolidated financial statements refer to our Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production reportable segments, as well as our Corporate and Other category, which represents an aggregation of individually immaterial operating segments. The Nitrogen Production reportable segment consists of our investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC ("CF Nitrogen"), and allocated expenses. See Note 14, Segment Reporting , for more information. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. We base our estimates on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results could differ from those estimates. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Significant Accounting Policies Significant accounting policies are summarized below or within the related notes to our consolidated financial statements. Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition. The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. Restricted cash is included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets within other current assets and primarily relates to customer deposits for futures and option contracts associated with regulated commodities held in separate accounts as required under federal and other regulations. Pursuant to the requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act, such funds must be carried in separate accounts that are designated as segregated customer accounts, as applicable. Restricted cash also includes funds held in escrow pursuant to applicable regulations limiting their use. F-8 Table of Contents The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported within our Consolidated Balance Sheets that aggregates to the amount presented in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. August 31, 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,765,286 $ 793,957 $ 413,159 Restricted cash included in other current assets 79,301 109,517 129,325 Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 1,844,587 $ 903,474 $ 542,484 Recent Accounting Pronouncements No recent accounting pronouncements are expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Note 2 Revenues We provide a wide variety of products and services, from agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies and agronomy products, to agricultural outputs that include grain and oilseed, processed grains and oilseeds and food products, and renewable fuels production and marketing. We primarily conduct our operations and derive revenues within our Energy and Ag segments. Our Energy segment derives its revenues through refining, wholesaling and retailing of petroleum products. Our Ag segment derives its revenues through origination and marketing of grain, including service activities conducted at export terminals; through wholesale agronomy sales of crop nutrient and crop protection products; from sales of soybean meal, refined soy oil and soyflour products; through production and marketing of renewable fuels; and through retail sales of petroleum and agronomy products, processed sunflowers, and feed and farm supplies. Corporate and Other primarily consists of our financing and hedging businesses. Revenue is recognized when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied, which generally occurs when control of the goods has transferred to the customer in accordance with the underlying contract. For the majority of our contracts with customers, control transfers to customers at a point in time when goods and/or services have been delivered, as that is generally when legal title, physical possession and risks and rewards of ownership of the goods and/or services transfer to the customer. In limited arrangements, control transfers over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the service as we complete our performance obligation(s). Revenue is recognized as the transaction price we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring goods or services to a customer, excluding amounts collected on behalf of third parties. For physically settled derivative sales contracts that are outside the scope of the revenue guidance, we recognize revenue when control of the inventory is transferred. Revenues arising from our financing business are recognized in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 470, Debt ("ASC Topic 470") and fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"). Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling amounts billed to a customer as part of a sales transaction are included in revenues, and the related costs are included in cost of goods sold. Shipping and handling is treated as a fulfillment activity, rather than a promised service, and therefore is not considered a separate performance obligation. Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Revenues are recorded net of taxes collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities, with the collected taxes recorded as current liabilities until remitted to the relevant governmental authority. Contract Costs Commissions related to contracts with a duration of less than one year are expensed as incurred. We recognize incremental costs of obtaining contracts as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the assets we otherwise would have recognized is one year or less. F-9 Table of Contents Disaggregation of Revenues The following table presents revenues recognized under ASC Topic 606, disaggregated by reportable segment, as well as the amount of revenues recognized under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC Topic 815"), and other applicable accounting guidance for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. Other applicable accounting guidance primarily includes revenues recognized under ASC Topic 470 and ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC Topic 842"), that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606. Year ended August 31, 2023 Reportable Segment* ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues (Dollars in thousands) Energy $ 8,996,149 $ 1,100,764 $ — $ 10,096,913 Ag 9,808,664 25,606,485 10,055 35,425,204 Corporate and Other 26,001 — 41,886 67,887 Total revenues $ 18,830,814 $ 26,707,249 $ 51,941 $ 45,590,004 Year ended August 31, 2022 Reportable Segment* ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues (Dollars in thousands) Energy $ 9,302,400 $ 992,374 $ — $ 10,294,774 Ag 10,784,831 26,646,003 29,377 37,460,211 Corporate and Other 16,625 — 20,056 36,681 Total revenues $ 20,103,856 $ 27,638,377 $ 49,433 $ 47,791,666 Year ended August 31, 2021 Reportable Segment* ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues (Dollars in thousands) Energy $ 5,680,391 $ 694,870 $ — $ 6,375,261 Ag 7,491,484 24,517,033 26,825 32,035,342 Corporate and Other 18,325 — 19,105 37,430 Total revenues $ 13,190,200 $ 25,211,903 $ 45,930 $ 38,448,033 *Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses but not revenues. Less than 1% of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606 included within the table above are recorded over time and relate primarily to service contracts. Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities Contract assets relate to unbilled amounts arising from goods that have already been transferred to the customer where the right to payment is not conditional on the passage of time. This results in recognition of an asset, as the amount of revenue recognized at a certain point in time exceeds the amount billed to customers. Contract assets are recorded in receivables within our Consolidated Balance Sheets and were $ 16.2 million and $ 17.2 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Contract liabilities relate to advance payments received from customers for goods and services that we have yet to provide. Contract liabilities of $ 240.0 million and $ 541.5 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, are recorded within other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, and are recognized as revenues within the next respective fiscal year. F-10 Table of Contents Note 3 Receivables Receivables as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 2,010,162 $ 2,626,623 CHS Capital short-term notes receivable 845,192 644,875 Other 327,084 404,734 Gross receivables 3,182,438 3,676,232 Less allowances and reserves 76,627 127,917 Total receivables $ 3,105,811 $ 3,548,315 Trade Accounts Receivable Trade accounts receivable are recorded at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for expected credit losses in accordance with ASC Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC Topic 326"). The allowance for expected credit losses is based on our best estimate of expected credit losses in existing receivable balances and is determined using historical write-off experience, adjusted for various industry and regional data and current expectations of future credit losses. Receivables from related parties are disclosed in Note 18, Related Party Transactions . No third-party customer accounted for more than 10% of the total receivables balance as of August 31, 2023 or 2022. CHS Capital Notes Receivable Notes Receivable CHS Capital, LLC ("CHS Capital"), our wholly-owned subsidiary, has short-term notes receivable from commercial and producer borrowers. The short-term notes receivable have maturity terms of 12 months or less and are reported at their outstanding unpaid principal balances, less an allowance for expected credit losses, as CHS Capital has the intent and ability to hold the applicable loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or payoff. The carrying value of CHS Capital short-term notes receivable approximates fair value given the notes' short-term duration and use of market pricing adjusted for risk. Notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of certain regional cooperatives' capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of Minnesota, Montana and North Dakota. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers that are collateralized by various combinations of growing crops, livestock, inventories, accounts receivable, personal property and supplemental mortgages and are primarily originated in the same states as the commercial notes, as well as South Dakota. In addition to the short-term balances included in the table above, CHS Capital had long-term notes receivable, with durations of generally not more than 10 years, totaling $ 61.1 million and $ 54.3 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2023 and 2022, commercial notes represented 15 % and 25 %, respectively, and producer notes represented 85 % and 75 %, respectively, of total CHS Capital notes receivable. CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of any contractually established conditions. As of August 31, 2023, CHS Capital customers had additional available credit of $ 1.1 billion. F-11 Table of Contents Allowance for Loan Losses CHS Capital maintains an allowance for loan losses that is an estimate of current expected losses inherent in the loans receivable portfolio. In accordance with ASC Topic 326, the allowance for loan losses is based on our current expectation for future losses, which takes into consideration historical loss experience, third-party industry forecasts, as well as other quantitative and qualitative factors addressing operational risks and industry trends. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are reflected within marketing, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The portion of loans receivable deemed uncollectible is charged off against the allowance for loan losses. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts increase the allowance for loan losses. No significant amounts of CHS Capital notes were past due as of August 31, 2023 or 2022, and the allowance for loan losses related to CHS Capital notes were no t material as of either date. Interest Income Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using a method that computes simple interest on a daily basis. Accrual of interest on commercial loans receivable is discontinued at the time the receivable is 90 days past due unless the loan is well-collateralized and in process of collection. Past due status is based on contractual terms of the loan. Producer loans receivable are placed in nonaccrual status based on estimates and analysis due to the annual debt service terms inherent to CHS Capital's producer loans. In all cases, loans are placed in nonaccrual status or charged off at an earlier date if collection of principal or interest is considered doubtful. Troubled Debt Restructurings Restructuring of a loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, or restructured loan, if the creditor, for economic reasons related to the debtor's financial difficulties, grants a concession to the debtor that it would otherwise not consider. Concessions vary by program and borrower. Concessions may include interest rate reductions, term extensions, payment deferrals or the acceptance of additional collateral in lieu of payments. In limited circumstances, principal may be forgiven. When a restructured loan constitutes a troubled debt restructuring, CHS includes these loans within its impaired loans. CHS Capital had no significant troubled debt restructurings during the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and no third-party borrowers that accounted for more than 10% of the total CHS Capital notes receivable or total receivables as of August 31, 2023 or 2022. Loan Participations For the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022, CHS Capital sold $ 60.8 million and $ 64.2 million of notes receivable, respectively, to various counterparties under a master participation agreement. The sales resulted in the removal of notes receivable from the Consolidated Balance Sheets. CHS Capital has no retained interests in the transferred notes receivable, other than collection and administrative services. Proceeds from sales of notes receivable have been included in investing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Fees received related to the servicing of notes receivable are recorded in other income in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. We consider the fees received adequate compensation for services rendered and, accordingly, have recorded no servicing asset or liability. Other Receivables Other receivables are comprised of certain other amounts recorded in the normal course of business, including receivables related to vendor rebates, value-added taxes, certain financing receivables and pre-crop financing, primarily to Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of supplier production costs. We receive volume-based rebates from certain vendors during the year. These vendor rebates are accounted for in accordance with ASC 705, Cost of Sales and Services, based on the terms of the volume rebate program. For rebates that meet the definition of a binding arrangement and are both probable and estimable, we estimate the amount of the rebate we will receive and accrue it as a reduction of the cost of inventory and cost of goods sold over the period in which the rebate is earned. For pre-crop financing arrangements we do not bear costs or operational risks associated with the related growing crops, although our ability to be paid depends on the crops actually being produced. The financing is collateralized by future crops, land and physical assets of the farmers, carries a local market interest rate and settles when the farmer's crop is harvested and sold. No significant troubled debt restructurings occurred during the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, and no third-party customer or borrower accounted for more than 10% of the total receivables balance as of August 31, 2023 or 2022. F-12 Table of Contents Note 4 Inventories Inventories as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Grain and oilseed $ 1,099,956 $ 1,133,531 Energy 645,333 824,114 Agronomy 1,111,477 1,295,548 Processed grain and oilseed 141,360 292,992 Other 217,053 106,686 Total inventories $ 3,215,179 $ 3,652,871 Grain, processed grain, oilseed, processed oilseed and other minimally processed soy-based inventories are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 330, Inventory , and are stated at net realizable value. These inventories are agricultural commodity inventories that are readily convertible to cash because of their commodity characteristics, widely available markets and international pricing mechanisms. The net realizable value of agricultural commodity inventories is determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments. Location-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand and are generally based on broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or over-the-counter ("OTC") markets. Changes in the net realizable value of agricultural commodity inventories are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold. All other inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Costs for inventories produced or modified by us through a manufacturing process include fixed and variable production and raw material costs, and inbound freight costs for raw materials. Costs for inventories purchased for resale include the cost of products and freight incurred to place the products at our points of sale. The costs of certain energy inventories (wholesale refined products, crude oil and asphalt) are determined on the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method; all other inventories of nongrain products purchased for resale are valued on the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") and average cost methods. As of August 31, 2023 and 2022, we valued approximately 16 % and 14 %, respectively, of inventories, primarily crude oil and refined fuels within our Energy segment, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or net realizable value. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $ 589.0 million and $ 678.3 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. There were no liquidations of LIFO inventories during fiscal 2023 or fiscal 2022. Note 5 Other Current Assets Other current assets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Derivative assets (Note 15) $ 320,119 $ 535,698 Margin and related deposits 342,872 390,782 Prepaid expenses 149,682 127,286 Supplier advance payments 136,304 198,753 Restricted cash (Note 1) 79,301 109,517 Other 14,095 20,668 Total other current assets $ 1,042,373 $ 1,382,704 Margin and Related Deposits Many of our derivative contracts with futures and options brokers require us to make margin deposits of cash or other assets. Subsequent margin deposits may also be necessary when changes in commodity prices result in a loss on the contract value to comply with applicable regulations. Our margin and related deposit assets are generally held in separate accounts to support the associated derivative contracts and may be used to fund or partially fund the settlement of those contracts as they expire. Similar to our derivative financial instruments, margin and related deposits are reported on a gross basis. F-13 Table of Contents Prepaid Expenses and Supplier Advance Payments Prepaid expenses and supplier advance payments are typically for periods less than 12 months and include amounts paid in advance for products and services. Supplier advance payments are primarily for grain purchases from suppliers and amounts paid to crop nutrient and crop protection product suppliers to lock in future supply, pricing and discounts. Note 6 Investments Investments as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Equity method investments CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC $ 2,577,391 $ 2,641,604 Ventura Foods, LLC 519,169 410,093 Ardent Mills, LLC 265,146 250,857 Other equity method investments 337,281 298,722 Other investments 129,885 126,730 Total investments $ 3,828,872 $ 3,728,006 Joint ventures and other investments in which we have significant ownership and influence but not control, are accounted for in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Our significant equity method investments consist of CF Nitrogen and Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), which are summarized below. In addition to the recognition of our share of income from our equity method investments, our equity method investments are evaluated for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment on an ongoing basis in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We had approximately $ 636.1 million of cumulative undistributed earnings from our equity method investees included in the investments balance as of August 31, 2023. All equity securities that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method are measured at fair value with changes therein reflected in net income. We have elected to use the measurement alternative for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values and measure these investments at cost less impairment plus or minus observable price changes in orderly transactions. Our share in the income or loss of these equity method investments is recorded within equity income from investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Other investments consist primarily of investments in cooperatives without readily determinable fair values and are generally recorded at cost, unless an impairment or other observable market price change occurs requiring an adjustment. Investments in other cooperatives are recorded in a manner similar to equity investments without readily determinable fair values, plus patronage dividends received in the form of capital stock and other equities. Patronage dividends are recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold at the time qualified written notices of allocation are received. Investments in debt and equity instruments are carried at amounts that approximate fair values. CF Nitrogen We have a $ 2.6 billion investment in CF Nitrogen, a strategic venture with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. The investment consists of an approximate 9 % membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. At the time we entered into the strategic venture, we also entered into a supply agreement that entitles us to purchase up to 1.1 million tons of granular urea and 580,000 tons of urea ammonium nitrate ("UAN") annually from CF Nitrogen for ratable delivery through fiscal 2096. Our purchases under the supply agreement are based on prevailing market prices and we receive semiannual cash distributions (in January and July of each year) from CF Nitrogen via our membership interest. These distributions are based on actual volumes purchased from CF Nitrogen under the strategic venture and will have the effect of reducing our investment to zero over 80 years on a straight-line basis. We account for this investment using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method, recognizing our share of the earnings and losses of CF Nitrogen as equity income from investments in our Nitrogen Production segment based on our contractual claims on the entity's net assets pursuant to the liquidation provisions of the CF Nitrogen Limited Liability Company Agreement, adjusted for the semiannual cash distributions. Cash distributions received from CF Nitrogen for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, were $ 458.9 million, $ 618.7 million and $ 193.9 million, respectively. F-14 Table of Contents The following tables provide aggregate summarized financial information for CF Nitrogen for balance sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, and statements of operations for the 12 months ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Current assets $ 899,246 $ 1,333,170 Noncurrent assets 5,355,732 5,787,921 Current liabilities 281,153 391,470 Noncurrent liabilities 1,128 1,895 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Net sales $ 5,070,489 $ 6,609,758 $ 2,975,983 Gross profit 2,194,363 3,318,189 866,880 Net earnings 2,173,715 3,249,005 809,536 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 394,678 593,182 198,439 Ventura Foods We have a 50 % interest in Ventura Foods, a joint venture with Mitsui & Co., that produces and distributes edible oil-based products. We account for Ventura Foods as an equity method investment and our share of the results of Ventura Foods is included in Corporate and Other. The following tables provide aggregate summarized financial information for our equity method investment in Ventura Foods for balance sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, and statements of operations for the 12 months ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Current assets $ 1,041,799 $ 801,568 Noncurrent assets 609,021 618,310 Current liabilities 335,000 313,438 Noncurrent liabilities 303,209 311,982 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Net sales $ 3,552,194 $ 3,386,998 $ 2,584,532 Gross profit 547,107 333,368 350,708 Net earnings 406,271 117,666 151,196 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 203,136 58,833 78,519 Our investments in other equity method investees are not significant in relation to our consolidated financial statements, either individually or in the aggregate. F-15 Table of Contents Note 7 Property, Plant and Equipment Major classes of property, plant and equipment, including finance lease assets, are summarized in the table below as of August 31, 2023 and 2022. 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Land and land improvements $ 350,703 $ 334,085 Buildings 1,242,913 1,192,571 Machinery and equipment 7,979,164 7,819,152 Office equipment and other 498,430 496,121 Construction in progress 630,542 339,043 Gross property, plant and equipment 10,701,752 10,180,972 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 5,832,379 5,436,013 Total property, plant and equipment $ 4,869,373 $ 4,744,959 Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided on the straight-line method by charges to operations at rates based on the expected useful lives of individual or groups of assets (generally 15 to 20 years for land improvements, 20 to 40 years for buildings, five to 20 years for machinery and equipment, and three to 10 years for office equipment and other). Expenditures for maintenance and minor repairs and renewals are expensed. We also capitalize and amortize eligible costs to acquire or develop internal-use software that are incurred during the application development stage. When assets are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the related accounts and resulting gains or losses are reflected in operations. Depreciation expense, including amortization of finance lease assets, for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $ 457.9 million, $ 458.2 million and $ 455.9 million, respectively. Property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable in accordance with U.S. GAAP. This evaluation of recoverability is based on various indicators, including the nature, future economic benefits and geographic locations of the assets, historical or future profitability measures and other external market conditions. If these indicators suggest the carrying amounts of an asset or asset group may not be recoverable, potential impairment is evaluated using undiscounted, estimated future cash flows. Should the sum of the expected future net cash flows be less than the carrying value, an impairment loss would be recognized. An impairment loss would be measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset or asset group exceeds its fair value. No significant impairments were identified during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021. We have asset retirement obligations with respect to certain of our refineries and other assets due to various legal obligations to clean and/or dispose of the component parts at the time they are retired. In most cases, these assets can be used for extended and indeterminate periods of time if they are properly maintained and/or upgraded. It is our practice and current intent to maintain refineries and related assets and to continue making improvements to those assets based on technological advances. As a result, we believe our refineries and related assets have indeterminate lives for purposes of estimating asset retirement obligations because dates or ranges of dates upon which we would retire a refinery and related assets cannot reasonably be estimated at this time. When a date or range of dates can reasonably be estimated for the retirement of any component part of a refinery or other asset, we estimate the cost of performing the retirement activities and record a liability for the fair value of that future cost. We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject to the lessor's discretion for which we have recorded asset retirement obligations. Based on our estimates of timing, cost and probability of removal, these obligations are not material. F-16 Table of Contents Note 8 Other Assets Other assets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Goodwill $ 179,976 $ 179,976 Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets 46,980 53,165 Notes receivable (Note 3) 76,919 46,012 Long-term derivative assets (Note 15) 1,119 8,546 Prepaid pension and other benefits (Note 13) 78,819 74,810 Capitalized major maintenance 289,377 147,521 Cash value life insurance 134,126 128,876 Operating lease right of use assets (Note 19) 254,844 242,859 Other 68,364 92,230 Total other assets $ 1,130,524 $ 973,995 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable assets acquired. Goodwill is assessed for impairment on an annual basis as of July 31, either by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether a quantitative goodwill impairment test is necessary or by proceeding directly to the quantitative test. The quantitative test may be required more frequently if triggering events or other circumstances occur that could indicate impairment. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level, which has been determined to be our operating segments or one level below our operating segments in certain instances. There were no changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended August 31, 2023. Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the year ended August 31, 2022, by segment, are as follows: Energy Ag Corporate and Other Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2021 $ 552 $ 160,475 $ 10,574 $ 171,601 Goodwill acquired during the period 8,906 — — 8,906 Goodwill disposed of during the period — ( 531 ) — ( 531 ) Balances, August 31, 2022 $ 9,458 $ 159,944 $ 10,574 $ 179,976 No goodwill has been allocated to our Nitrogen Production segment, which consists of a single investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting, and allocated expenses. No goodwill impairments were identified as a result of our annual goodwill analyses performed as of July 31, 2023, 2022 or 2021. Management will continue to monitor the results and projected cash flows for each of our businesses to assess whether any reserves or impairments may be necessary in the future. F-17 Table of Contents Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and noncompete agreements, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from two to 30 years). We have no material intangible assets with indefinite useful lives. All long-lived assets, including other identifiable intangible assets, are also assessed for impairment in accordance with U.S. GAAP and evaluated for impairment whenever triggering events or other circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset group or reporting unit may not be recoverable. Information regarding intangible assets is as follows: August 31, 2023 August 31, 2022 Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net (Dollars in thousands) Customer lists $ 85,341 $ ( 41,374 ) $ 43,967 $ 84,565 $ ( 35,280 ) $ 49,285 Trademarks and other intangible assets 11,332 ( 8,319 ) 3,013 11,902 ( 8,022 ) 3,880 Total intangible assets $ 96,673 $ ( 49,693 ) $ 46,980 $ 96,467 $ ( 43,302 ) $ 53,165 Intangible asset amortization expense for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $ 6.7 million, $ 6.8 million and $ 6.9 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for future years is as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2024 $ 6,631 2025 6,415 2026 6,233 2027 6,178 2028 6,178 Thereafter 15,345 Total $ 46,980 Capitalized Major Maintenance Activity related to capitalized major maintenance costs at our refineries for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, is summarized below: Balance at Beginning of Year Cost Deferred Amortization Balance at End of Year (Dollars in thousands) 2023 $ 147,521 $ 216,762 $ ( 74,906 ) $ 289,377 2022 196,641 25,401 ( 74,521 ) 147,521 2021 228,511 41,899 ( 73,769 ) 196,641 Within our Energy segment, major maintenance activities are regularly performed at our Laurel, Montana, and McPherson, Kansas, refineries. Major maintenance activities are the planned and required shutdowns of refinery processing units, which include replacement or overhaul of equipment that has experienced decreased efficiency in resource conversion. Because major maintenance activities are performed to extend the life, increase the capacity and/or improve the safety or efficiency of refinery processing assets, we follow the deferral method of accounting for major maintenance activities. Expenditures for major maintenance activities are capitalized (deferred) when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over a period of two to five years, which is the estimated time lapse between major maintenance activities. Should the estimated time between major maintenance activities change, we may be required to amortize the remaining cost of the major maintenance activities over a shorter period, which would result in higher depreciation and amortization costs. Amortization expense related to the capitalized major maintenance costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing major maintenance activity costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of major maintenance activity expenditures. The deferral method also results in classification of related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities. Repair, maintenance and related labor costs are expensed as incurred and are included in operating cash flows. F-18 Table of Contents Note 9 Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of August 31, 2023. Notes Payable Notes payable as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, consisted of the following: Weighted-average Interest Rate 2023 2022 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Notes payable 5.37 % 4.41 % $ 375,932 $ 459,398 CHS Capital notes payable 4.24 % 1.34 % 171,991 147,321 Total notes payable $ 547,923 $ 606,719 On April 21, 2023, we amended and restated our primary line of credit, which is a five -year unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility provides a committed amount of $ 2.8 billion that expires on April 21, 2028. There were no borrowings outstanding on this facility as of August 31, 2023. We also maintain certain uncommitted bilateral facilities to support our working capital needs. In addition to our facilities referenced above, our wholly-owned subsidiaries, CHS Europe S.a.r.l. and CHS Agronegocio Industria e Comercio Ltda have lines of credit with $ 185.9 million outstanding as of August 31, 2023, and our other international subsidiaries have lines of credit with $ 188.5 million outstanding as of August 31, 2023. CHS Capital Notes Payable We have a receivables and loans securitization facility ("Securitization Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell trade accounts and notes receivable ("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC ("Cofina"), a wholly-owned, bankruptcy-remote, indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the Receivables to the Purchasers, and this arrangement is accounted for as secured financing. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes, and settlements are made on a monthly basis. The amount available under the Securitization Facility fluctuates over time based on the total amount of eligible Receivables generated during the normal course of business. The Securitization Facility consists of a committed portion with a maximum availability of $ 850.0 million and an uncommitted portion with a maximum availability of $ 250.0 million. As of August 31, 2023, total availability under the Securitization Facility was $ 950.2 million, of which no amount was utilized. On July 11, 2023, we amended the Securitization Facility and entered into a repurchase facility ("Repurchase Facility"), under which we can obtain repurchase agreement financing up to $ 200.0 million for certain eligible receivables and notes receivables of the Originators. The amendments to the Securitization Facility were designed to remove from the securitization certain receivables and notes receivables to permit them to be sold under the Repurchase Facility. On August 29, 2023 the Securitization Facility was further amended to extend the term of the agreement and update pricing. No balance was outstanding under this Repurchase Facility as of August 31, 2023. CHS Capital sells loan commitments it has originated to Compeer Financial, PCA, d/b/a ProPartners Financial on a recourse basis. The total commitments under the program were $ 100.0 million; however, no amounts were borrowed under these commitments as of August 31, 2023. CHS Capital borrows funds under short-term notes issued as part of a surplus funds program. Borrowings under this program are unsecured and are due upon demand. Borrowings under these notes totaled $ 172.0 million as of August 31, 2023. F-19 Table of Contents Long-Term Debt During the year ended August 31, 2023, we repaid approximately $ 283.0 million of long-term debt. On January 24, 2023, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement to borrow $ 150.0 million of long-term debt in the form of a note. Amounts included in long-term debt on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are presented in the table below: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) 4.67 % unsecured notes $ 130 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023 $ — $ 130,000 4.39 % unsecured notes $ 152 million face amount, due in fiscal 2023 — 152,000 3.85 % unsecured notes $ 80 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025 80,000 80,000 3.80 % unsecured notes $ 100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025 100,000 100,000 4.58 % unsecured notes $ 150 million face amount, due in fiscal 2025 150,000 150,000 4.82 % unsecured notes $ 80 million face amount, due in fiscal 2026 80,000 80,000 4.69 % unsecured notes $ 58 million face amount, due in fiscal 2027 58,000 58,000 3.24 % unsecured notes $ 95 million face amount, due in fiscal 2028 95,000 95,000 4.74 % unsecured notes $ 95 million face amount, due in fiscal 2028 95,000 95,000 5.68 % unsecured notes $ 150 million face amount, due in fiscal 2030 150,000 — 3.48 % unsecured notes $ 100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2031 100,000 100,000 4.89 % unsecured notes $ 100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2031 100,000 100,000 3.58 % unsecured notes $ 65 million face amount, due in fiscal 2033 65,000 65,000 4.71 % unsecured notes $ 100 million face amount, due in fiscal 2033 100,000 100,000 3.73 % unsecured notes $ 115 million face amount, due in fiscal 2036 115,000 115,000 5.40 % unsecured notes $ 125 million face amount, due in fiscal 2036 125,000 125,000 Private placement debt 1,413,000 1,545,000 6.93 % unsecured term loan from cooperative and other banks, due in fiscal 2026 (a) 366,000 366,000 Term loan 366,000 366,000 Finance lease liabilities 49,235 44,773 Deferred financing costs ( 3,127 ) ( 3,535 ) Other, including notes and contracts with interest rates from 4.0 % to 9.0 % 2,550 6,576 Total long-term debt 1,827,658 1,958,814 Less current portion 7,839 290,605 Long-term portion $ 1,819,819 $ 1,668,209 (a) Borrowings are variable under the agreement and bear interest at a base rate plus an applicable margin. As of August 31, 2023, the fair value of our long-term debt is estimated to be $ 1.6 billion based on quoted market prices of similar debt (a Level 2 fair value measurement based on the classification hierarchy of ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement ). F-20 Table of Contents Long-term debt outstanding as of August 31, 2023, has aggregate maturities, excluding fair value adjustments and finance leases (see Note 19, Leases , for a schedule of minimum future lease payments under finance leases), as follows: (Dollars in thousands) 2024 $ 1,060 2025 330,187 2026 446,020 2027 58,021 2028 190,000 Thereafter 755,000 Total $ 1,780,288 Interest expense for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, was $ 137.4 million, $ 114.2 million and $ 104.6 million, respectively, net of capitalized interest of $ 14.0 million, $ 6.1 million and $ 8.0 million, respectively. Note 10 Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Customer margin deposits and credit balances $ 197,315 $ 283,234 Customer advance payments 356,760 525,003 Derivative liabilities (Note 15) 355,696 398,781 Dividends and equity payable (Note 12) 730,000 1,000,000 Total other current liabilities $ 1,639,771 $ 2,207,018 Note 11 Income Taxes CHS is a nonexempt agricultural cooperative and files a consolidated federal income tax return within our tax return period. We are subject to tax on income from nonpatronage sources, nonqualified patronage distributions and undistributed patronage-sourced income. Income tax expense (benefit) is primarily the current tax payable for the period and the change during the period in certain deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized under U.S. GAAP and such amounts recognized for federal and state income tax purposes, based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The provision for (benefit from) income taxes for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is as follows: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Current: Federal $ 66,672 $ 56,582 $ ( 533 ) State 36,925 24,224 2,943 Foreign 3,735 9,833 56 Total current 107,332 90,639 2,466 Deferred: Federal 7,799 41,710 ( 24,676 ) State ( 7,661 ) 491 ( 15,666 ) Foreign 185 ( 724 ) ( 373 ) Total deferred 323 41,477 ( 40,715 ) Total $ 107,655 $ 132,116 $ ( 38,249 ) F-21 Table of Contents Domestic income before income taxes was $ 2.0 billion, $ 1.8 billion and $ 497.5 million for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Foreign income (loss) before income taxes was $ 55.4 million, ($ 4.9 ) million and $ 17.8 million for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Deferred tax assets: Accrued expenses $ 51,960 $ 61,843 Postretirement health care and deferred compensation 51,635 46,008 Tax credit carryforwards 97,730 101,457 Loss carryforwards 111,963 110,018 Nonqualified equity 467,519 424,869 Lease obligations 62,225 60,329 Other 43,164 95,027 Deferred tax assets valuation allowance ( 182,466 ) ( 189,685 ) Total deferred tax assets 703,730 709,866 Deferred tax liabilities: Pension costs 10,596 14,600 Investments 129,683 169,970 Property, plant and equipment 625,403 605,463 Lease right of use assets 60,501 58,852 Total deferred tax liabilities 826,183 848,885 Net deferred tax liabilities $ 122,453 $ 139,019 We had total gross loss carryforwards of $ 587.3 million, as of August 31, 2023, of which $ 344.4 million will expire over periods ranging from fiscal 2023 to fiscal 2043. The remainder will carry forward indefinitely. Based on estimates of future taxable profits and losses in certain foreign tax jurisdictions, as well as consideration of other factors, we assessed whether a valuation allowance was necessary to reduce specific foreign loss carryforwards to amounts we believe are more likely than not to be realized as of August 31, 2023. If our estimates prove inaccurate, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required in the future with gains or losses being charged to income in the period such determination is made. Our McPherson refinery's gross state tax credit carryforwards for income tax were approximately $ 116.6 million and $ 122.8 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The refinery's valuation allowance on Kansas state credits is necessary due to the limited amount of taxable income generated in Kansas by the combined group on an annual basis. Our state tax credits of $ 116.6 million will begin to expire during fiscal 2024. F-22 Table of Contents The reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rates to the effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is as follows: 2023 2022 2021 Statutory federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % 21.0 % State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 1.1 1.1 ( 2.6 ) Patronage earnings ( 13.0 ) ( 13.6 ) ( 11.4 ) Domestic production activities deduction ( 3.2 ) ( 3.2 ) ( 8.2 ) Export activities at rates other than the U.S. statutory rate ( 0.2 ) 0.4 0.5 Intercompany transfer of business assets — ( 0.1 ) ( 4.7 ) Increase in unrecognized tax benefits — — 0.8 Valuation allowance — 0.2 ( 0.2 ) Other ( 0.3 ) 1.5 ( 2.6 ) Effective tax rate 5.4 % 7.3 % ( 7.4 ) % Primary drivers of fiscal 2023 and 2022 income tax expense were increased nonpatronage earnings and other nondeductible items, which were partially offset by the current Domestic Production Activities Deduction ("DPAD") benefit. Primary drivers of the fiscal 2021 income tax benefit were retaining the current DPAD benefit and from tax planning associated with certain assets. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, as well as various state and foreign jurisdictions. Our uncertain tax positions are affected by the tax years that are under audit or remain subject to examination by the relevant taxing authorities. Fiscal years 2007 through 2019 remain subject to examination for certain issues. Reserves are recorded against unrecognized tax benefits when we believe certain fully supportable tax return positions are likely to be challenged and we may or may not prevail. If we determine that a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit, based on the technical merits of the position, we recognize the benefit by measuring the amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. We reevaluate the technical merits of our tax positions and recognize an uncertain tax benefit, or derecognize a previously recorded tax benefit, when there is (i) completion of a tax audit, (ii) effective settlement of an issue, (iii) a change in applicable tax law including a tax case or legislative guidance, or (iv) expiration of the applicable statute of limitations. Significant judgment is required in accounting for tax reserves. A reconciliation of the gross beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits for the periods is presented as follows: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Balance at beginning of period $ 124,959 $ 122,149 $ 119,150 Additions attributable to current year tax positions — — 2,000 Additions attributable to prior year tax positions 894 2,810 15,974 Reductions attributable to prior year tax positions — — ( 14,975 ) Balance at end of period $ 125,853 $ 124,959 $ 122,149 If we were to prevail on all positions taken in relation to uncertain tax positions, $ 116.0 million of the unrecognized tax benefits would ultimately benefit our effective tax rate. It is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change in the next 12 months. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our provision for income taxes. We recognized benefits of $ 0.8 million, $ 0.7 million and $ 1.4 million for interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, and a related $ 3.7 million and $ 3.3 million interest payable on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. F-23 Table of Contents Note 12 Equities Patronage and Equity Redemptions In accordance with our bylaws and by action of the Board of Directors, annual net earnings from patronage sources are distributed to consenting patrons following the close of each fiscal year and are based on amounts using financial statement earnings. The cash portion of the qualified patronage distribution, if any, is determined annually by the Board of Directors, with the balance issued in the form of qualified and/or nonqualified capital equity certificates. Total patronage distributions for fiscal 2023 are estimated to be $ 1.2 billion, with the qualified cash portion estimated to be $ 365.0 million, estimated qualified equity distributions of $ 706.1 million and estimated nonqualified equity distributions of $ 169.2 million. The following table presents estimated patronage distributions for the year ending August 31, 2023, and actual patronage distributions for the years ended August 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020: 2024 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in millions) Patronage distributed in cash $ 365.0 $ 503.1 $ 51.0 $ 30.0 Patronage distributed in equity 875.3 670.9 235.6 214.8 Total patronage distributed $ 1,240.3 $ 1,174.0 $ 286.6 $ 244.8 Annual net earnings from patronage or other sources may be added to the unallocated capital reserve or, upon action by the Board of Directors, may be allocated to members in the form of nonpatronage equity certificates. The Board of Directors authorized, in accordance with our bylaws, that 10 % of the earnings from patronage business for fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 be added to our capital reserves. Redemptions of outstanding equity are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. Redemptions of capital equity certificates approved by the Board of Directors are divided into two pools, one for nonindividuals (primarily member cooperatives) who may participate in an annual redemption program for qualified equities held by them and another for individual members who are eligible for equity redemptions at age 70 or upon death. In accordance with authorization from the Board of Directors, we expect total redemptions related to the year ended August 31, 2023, which will be distributed in fiscal 2024, to be approximately $ 365.0 million. This amount is classified as a current liability on our August 31, 2023, Consolidated Balance Sheet. During the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we redeemed in cash, outstanding owners' equities in accordance with authorization from the Board of Directors, in the amounts of $ 495.8 million, $ 111.8 million and $ 79.4 million, respectively. F-24 Table of Contents Preferred Stock The following is a summary of our outstanding preferred stock as of August 31, 2023, all shares of which are listed and traded on the Global Select Market of The Nasdaq: Nasdaq Symbol Issuance Date Shares Outstanding Redemption Value Net Proceeds (a) Dividend Rate (b) (c) Dividend Payment Frequency Redeemable Beginning (d) (Dollars in millions) 8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP (e) 12,272,003 $ 306.8 $ 311.2 8.00 % Quarterly 7/18/2023 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1 CHSCO (f) 21,459,066 536.5 569.3 7.875 % Quarterly 9/26/2023 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2 CHSCN 3/11/2014 16,800,000 420.0 406.2 7.10 % Quarterly 3/31/2024 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3 CHSCM 9/15/2014 19,700,000 492.5 476.7 6.75 % Quarterly 9/30/2024 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4 CHSCL 1/21/2015 20,700,000 517.5 501.0 7.50 % Quarterly 1/21/2025 (a) Includes patron equities redeemed with preferred stock. (b) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.10 % per year until March 31, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month benchmark interest rate plus 4.298 %, not to exceed 8.00 % per annum, subsequent to March 31, 2024. (c) The Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 accumulates dividends at a rate of 6.75 % per year until September 30, 2024, and then at a rate equal to the three-month benchmark interest rate plus 4.155 %, not to exceed 8.00 % per annum, subsequent to September 30, 2024. (d) Preferred stock is redeemable for cash at our option, in whole or in part, at a per share price equal to the per share liquidation preference of $ 25.00 per share, plus all dividends accumulated and unpaid on that share to and including the date of redemption, beginning on the dates set forth in this column. (e) The 8% Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was issued at various times from 2003 through 2010. (f) Shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 were issued on September 26, 2013; August 25, 2014; March 31, 2016; and March 30, 2017. Preferred Stock Dividends We made dividend payments on our preferred stock of $ 168.7 million during each of the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. As of August 31, 2023, the Board of Directors had not authorized the issuance of any preferred shares that were not outstanding. The following is a summary of dividends per share by series of preferred stock for the years ended August 31, 2023 and 2022: Years Ended August 31, Nasdaq Symbol 2023 2022 (Dollars per share) 8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP $ 2.00 $ 2.00 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1 CHSCO 1.97 1.97 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2 CHSCN 1.78 1.78 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3 CHSCM 1.69 1.69 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4 CHSCL 1.88 1.88 F-25 Table of Contents Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows: Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total (Dollars in thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2020, net of tax $ ( 159,680 ) $ 10,886 $ ( 85,130 ) $ ( 233,924 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications 4,048 11,700 5,573 21,321 Amounts reclassified out 20,256 ( 19,753 ) — 503 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 24,304 ( 8,053 ) 5,573 21,824 Tax effect ( 6,009 ) 1,991 ( 273 ) ( 4,291 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 18,295 ( 6,062 ) 5,300 17,533 Balance as of August 31, 2021, net of tax ( 141,385 ) 4,824 ( 79,830 ) ( 216,391 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications ( 52,163 ) ( 2,161 ) ( 15,809 ) ( 70,133 ) Amounts reclassified out 22,240 7,455 — 29,695 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax ( 29,923 ) 5,294 ( 15,809 ) ( 40,438 ) Tax effect 2,668 ( 1,275 ) 101 1,494 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax ( 27,255 ) 4,019 ( 15,708 ) ( 38,944 ) Balance as of August 31, 2022, net of tax ( 168,640 ) 8,843 ( 95,538 ) ( 255,335 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications ( 13,596 ) ( 25,024 ) 1,829 ( 36,791 ) Amounts reclassified out 93 16,044 — 16,137 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax ( 13,503 ) ( 8,980 ) 1,829 ( 20,654 ) Tax effect 8,218 2,169 207 10,594 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax ( 5,285 ) ( 6,811 ) 2,036 ( 10,060 ) Balance as of August 31, 2023, net of tax $ ( 173,925 ) $ 2,032 $ ( 93,502 ) $ ( 265,395 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments. Pension and other postretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts and are recorded as cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses (see Note 13, Benefit Plans , for further information). As described in Note 15, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities , amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss for cash flow hedges are recorded in cost of goods sold. Gains or losses on foreign currency translation reclassifications are recorded in other income. Note 13 Benefit Plans We have various pension and other defined benefits as well as defined contribution plans in which substantially all employees may participate. We also have nonqualified supplemental executive and Board retirement plans. We provide defined life insurance and health care benefits for certain retired employees and Board of Directors participants. The plan is contributory based on years of service and family status, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. F-26 Table of Contents Financial information on changes in projected benefit obligation, plan assets funded and balance sheet status as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2023 2022 2023 2022 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Change in benefit obligation: Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period $ 759,173 $ 925,239 $ 18,257 $ 20,604 $ 24,524 $ 29,069 Service cost 38,579 46,275 1,840 926 670 996 Interest cost 30,588 17,167 741 281 1,035 503 Actuarial loss (gain): Experience study and mortality updates 2,573 2,941 159 43 — 19 Other demographic experience* 5,181 9,875 1,999 1,313 ( 553 ) 717 Discount rate change ( 45,216 ) ( 164,543 ) ( 876 ) ( 2,892 ) ( 1,312 ) ( 4,979 ) Plan amendments 490 132 — — — — Settlements — — — ( 1,327 ) — — Benefits paid ( 82,857 ) ( 77,913 ) ( 1,140 ) ( 691 ) ( 1,792 ) ( 1,801 ) Projected benefit obligation at end of period $ 708,511 $ 759,173 $ 20,980 $ 18,257 $ 22,572 $ 24,524 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period $ 787,422 $ 993,124 $ — $ — $ — $ — Actual (loss) gain on plan assets ( 8,415 ) ( 166,789 ) — — — — Company contributions 40,000 39,000 1,140 2,018 1,792 1,801 Benefits paid ( 82,857 ) ( 77,913 ) ( 1,140 ) ( 2,018 ) ( 1,792 ) ( 1,801 ) Fair value of plan assets at end of period $ 736,150 $ 787,422 $ — $ — $ — $ — Funded status at end of period $ 27,639 $ 28,249 $ ( 20,980 ) $ ( 18,257 ) $ ( 22,572 ) $ ( 24,524 ) Amounts recognized on balance sheet: Noncurrent assets $ 27,639 $ 28,249 $ — $ — $ — $ — Accrued benefit cost: Current liabilities — — ( 2,880 ) ( 2,300 ) ( 2,170 ) ( 2,290 ) Noncurrent liabilities — — ( 18,100 ) ( 15,957 ) ( 20,402 ) ( 22,234 ) Ending balance $ 27,639 $ 28,249 $ ( 20,980 ) $ ( 18,257 ) $ ( 22,572 ) $ ( 24,524 ) Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (pretax): Prior service cost (credit) $ 1,172 $ 831 $ ( 160 ) $ ( 274 ) $ ( 1,380 ) $ ( 1,825 ) Net loss (gain) 247,609 235,399 4,294 3,257 ( 18,096 ) ( 17,846 ) Ending balance $ 248,781 $ 236,230 $ 4,134 $ 2,983 $ ( 19,476 ) $ ( 19,671 ) * Other demographic experience is comprised of all demographic experience different than anticipated, including terminations, retirements, deaths, pay, etc. The accumulated benefit obligation of the qualified pension plans was $ 678.4 million and $ 728.9 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The accumulated benefit obligation of the nonqualified pension plans was $ 20.9 million and $ 18.3 million as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. F-27 Table of Contents Information for the pension plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is set forth below: Years Ended August 31, 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Projected benefit obligation $ 20,980 $ 18,257 Accumulated benefit obligation 20,908 18,257 Components of net periodic benefit costs for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Components of net periodic benefit costs: Service cost $ 38,579 $ 46,275 $ 45,229 $ 1,840 $ 926 $ 433 $ 670 $ 996 $ 1,186 Interest cost 30,588 17,167 16,563 741 281 273 1,035 503 493 Expected return on assets ( 43,129 ) ( 43,958 ) ( 43,641 ) — — — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 149 174 178 ( 114 ) ( 114 ) ( 114 ) ( 445 ) ( 445 ) ( 445 ) Actuarial loss (gain) amortization 1,872 23,406 21,790 245 478 212 ( 1,615 ) ( 1,259 ) ( 1,365 ) Net periodic benefit cost (benefit) $ 28,059 $ 43,064 $ 40,119 $ 2,712 $ 1,571 $ 804 $ ( 355 ) $ ( 205 ) $ ( 131 ) Components of net periodic benefit costs and amounts recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Other comprehensive loss (income): Prior service cost $ 490 $ 132 $ 113 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — Net actuarial loss (gain) 14,082 59,020 ( 4,408 ) 1,282 ( 1,537 ) 1,978 ( 1,865 ) ( 4,243 ) ( 1,163 ) Amortization of actuarial (gain) loss ( 1,872 ) ( 23,406 ) ( 21,790 ) ( 245 ) ( 478 ) ( 212 ) 1,615 1,259 1,365 Amortization of prior service (credit) costs ( 149 ) ( 174 ) ( 178 ) 114 114 114 445 445 445 Settlement of retiree obligations (a) — — — — ( 307 ) — — — — Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income) $ 12,551 $ 35,572 $ ( 26,263 ) $ 1,151 $ ( 2,208 ) $ 1,880 $ 195 $ ( 2,539 ) $ 647 (a) Reflects amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (income) to net earnings . E stimated amortization in fiscal 2024 from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net periodic benefit cost is as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits (Dollars in thousands) Amortization of prior service costs (credit) $ 178 $ ( 114 ) $ ( 445 ) Amortization of actuarial loss (gain) 1,796 380 ( 1,616 ) F-28 Table of Contents Plan assumptions for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 2023 2022 2021 Weighted-average assumptions to determine the net periodic benefit cost: Interest credit rate 4.65 % 4.65 % 4.65 % 4.65 % 4.65 % 4.65 % N/A N/A N/A Discount rate 4.69 % 2.80 % 2.65 % 4.48 % 2.04 % 2.07 % 4.64 % 2.57 % 2.43 % Expected return on plan assets 4.88 % 4.88 % 4.90 % N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A Rate of compensation increase 4.93 % 4.79 % 4.99 % 4.93 % 4.79 % 4.99 % N/A N/A N/A Weighted-average assumptions to determine the benefit obligations: Interest credit rate 4.80 % 4.65 % 4.65 % 4.80 % 4.65 % 4.65 % N/A N/A N/A Discount rate 5.38 % 4.69 % 2.78 % 5.23 % 4.49 % 2.08 % 5.33 % 4.64 % 2.57 % Rate of compensation increase 4.98 % 4.93 % 4.79 % 4.98 % 4.93 % 4.79 % N/A N/A N/A A significant assumption for pension costs and obligations is the discount rate. We use a full-yield curve approach by applying the specific spot rates along the yield curve used in the determination of the benefit obligation to the relevant projected cash flows. The discount rate reflects the rate at which the associated benefits could be effectively settled as of the measurement date. In estimating this rate, we look at rates of return on fixed-income investments of similar duration to the liabilities in the plans that receive high investment-grade ratings by recognized ratings agencies. An annual analysis of the risk versus the return of the investment portfolio is conducted to justify the expected long-term rate of return assumption. We generally use long-term historical return information for the targeted asset mix identified in asset and liability studies. Adjustments are made to the expected long-term rate of return assumption when deemed necessary, based upon revised expectations of future investment performance of the overall investment markets. For measurement purposes, a 7.5 % annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed for the year ended August 31, 2023. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5 % by 2031 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plans. A one-percentage-point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects: 1% Increase 1% Decrease (Dollars in thousands) Effect on total of service and interest cost components $ 170 $ 140 Effect on postretirement benefit obligation 1,400 1,300 Contributions depend primarily on market returns on the pension plan assets and minimum funding level requirements. During fiscal 2023, we made a discretionary contribution of $ 40.0 million to the pension plans. Based on the funded status of the qualified pension plans as of August 31, 2023, we do not currently believe we will be required to contribute to these plans in fiscal 2024, although we may voluntarily elect to do so. We expect to pay $ 5.1 million to participants of the nonqualified pension and postretirement benefit plans during fiscal 2024. Our retiree benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, are anticipated to be paid as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits (Dollars in thousands) 2024 $ 69,100 $ 2,880 $ 2,170 2025 69,600 3,020 2,280 2026 69,800 2,800 2,220 2027 71,200 2,480 2,180 2028 74,200 2,160 2,060 2029-2033 339,800 8,380 8,570 F-29 Table of Contents We have trusts that hold the assets for the defined benefit plans. CHS has a qualified plan committee that sets investment guidelines with the assistance of external consultants. Investment objectives for the plans' assets are as follows: • Optimize the long-term returns on plan assets at an acceptable level of risk; • Maintain broad diversification across asset classes and among investment managers; and • Focus on long-term return objectives. Asset allocation targets promote optimal expected return and volatility characteristics given the long-term time horizon for fulfilling the obligations of the pension plans. The investment portfolio contains a diversified portfolio of investment categories, including equities, fixed-income securities and real estate. Securities are also diversified in terms of domestic and international securities, short- and long-term securities, growth and value equities, large and small cap stocks, as well as active and passive management styles. Our pension plans' investment policy strategy is such that liabilities match assets. This is being accomplished through the asset portfolio mix by reducing volatility and de-risking the plans. The plans' target allocation percentages range between 45 % and 80 % for fixed income securities and range between 20 % and 55 % for equity securities. The qualified plan committee believes that with prudent risk tolerance and asset diversification, the plans should be able to meet pension obligations in the future. Our pension plans' recurring fair value measurements by asset category as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are presented in the tables below: 2023 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 12,505 $ — $ — $ 12,505 Equities: Common/collective trust at net asset value (1) — — — 127,225 Fixed income securities: Other investments 25,143 86,315 — 111,458 Common/collective trust at net asset value (1) — — — 425,180 Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1) — — — 59,782 Total $ 37,648 $ 86,315 $ — $ 736,150 2022 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total (Dollars in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,472 $ — $ — $ 7,472 Equities: Common/collective trust at net asset value (1) — — — 142,730 Fixed income securities: Common/collective trust at net asset value (1) — — — 550,046 Partnership and joint venture interests measured at net asset value (1) — — — 87,174 Total $ 7,472 $ — $ — $ 787,422 (1) In accordance with ASC Topic 820-10, Fair Value Measurement, certain assets that are measured at fair value using the net asset value per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient have not been categorized in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value amounts presented in the tables above are intended to permit reconciliation of the fair value hierarchy to the amounts presented in the "Financial information on changes in projected benefit obligation, plan assets funded and balance sheet status" table above. Definitions for valuation levels are found in Note 16, Fair Value Measurements . We use the following valuation methodologies for assets measured at fair value: Common/collective trusts. Common/collective trusts primarily consist of equity and fixed income funds and are valued using other significant observable inputs, including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risks, referenced indices, quoted prices in inactive markets, adjusted quoted prices in active markets, adjusted quoted prices on foreign equity securities that were adjusted in accordance with pricing procedures approved by the trust, etc. F-30 Table of Contents Common/collective trust investments can be redeemed daily and without restriction. Redemption of the entire investment balance generally requires a 45- to 60-day notice period. The equity funds provide exposure to large-, mid- and small-cap U.S. equities, international large- and small-cap equities and emerging market equities. The fixed income funds provide exposure to U.S., international and emerging market debt securities. Other investments. Other investments are comprised primarily of investments in various government agency obligations and U.S. Treasury securities which are valued using quoted market prices and classified within Level 1, as well as corporate, foreign government, and municipal issue fixed income marketable securities which are valued using institutional bond or broker quotes along with various other market and industry inputs and classified within Level 2. Partnership and joint venture interests. The net asset value of shares held by the plan at year-end is used to value these assets as a practical expedient for fair value. The net asset value is based on the fair value of the underlying assets owned by the trust, minus its liabilities, then divided by the number of units outstanding. Redemptions of these interests generally require a 45- to 60-day notice period. We are one of approximately 400 employers contributing to the Co-op Retirement Plan ("Co-op Plan"), which is a defined benefit plan constituting a multiple employer plan under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and a multiemployer plan under the accounting standards. The risks of participating in these multiemployer plans are different from single-employer plans in the following aspects: • Assets contributed to the multiemployer plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; • If a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and • If we choose to stop participating in the multiemployer plan, we may be required to pay the plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The withdrawal liability associated with the multiemployer plan was approximately $ 22.7 million as of August 31, 2023. Our participation in the Co-op Plan for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, is outlined in the table below: Contributions of CHS (Dollars in thousands) Plan Name EIN/Plan Number 2023 2022 2021 Surcharge Imposed Expiration Date of Collective Bargaining Agreement Co-op Retirement Plan 01-0689331 / 001 $ 1,017 $ 955 $ 1,172 N/A N/A Our contributions for the years stated above did not represent more than 5 % of total contributions to the Co-op Plan as indicated in the Co-op Plan's most recently available annual report (Form 5500). Provisions of the Pension Protection Act of 2006 ("PPA") do not apply to the Co-op Plan because there is a special exemption for cooperative plans if the plan is maintained by more than one employer and at least 85 % of the employers are rural cooperatives or cooperative organizations owned by agricultural producers. In the Co-op Plan, a zone status determination is not required, and therefore not determined. In addition, the accumulated benefit obligations and plan assets are not determined or allocated separately by individual employers. The most recent financial statements available in 2023 and 2022 are for the Co-op Plan's year-end at March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. In total, the Co-op Plan was at least 80 % funded on those dates based on the total plan assets and accumulated benefit obligations. Because the provisions of the PPA do not apply to the Co-op Plan, funding improvement plans and surcharges are not applicable. Future contribution requirements are determined each year as part of the actuarial valuation of the plan and may change as a result of plan experience. In addition to the contributions to the Co-op Plan listed above, total contributions to individually insignificant multiemployer pension plans were immaterial in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021. We have other contributory defined contribution plans covering substantially all employees. Total contributions by us to these plans were $ 38.7 million, $ 35.0 million and $ 30.1 million, for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. F-31 Table of Contents Note 14 Segment Reporting We are an integrated agricultural cooperative, providing grain, food, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global basis. We provide a wide variety of products and services, from initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrients and crop protection products, to agricultural outputs that include grain and oilseed, processed grain and oilseed, renewable fuels and food products. We define our operating segments in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting , to reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision maker, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance and allocates resources in managing the business. We have aggregated those operating segments into three reportable segments: Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production. Our Energy segment produces and provides primarily for the wholesale distribution of petroleum products and transportation of those products. Our Ag segment purchases and further processes or resells grain and oilseed originated by our country operations business, by our member cooperatives and by third parties; serves as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs; and produces and markets ethanol. Our Nitrogen Production segment consists of our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen and allocated expenses. Our supply agreement with CF Nitrogen entitles us to purchase up to a specified quantity of granular urea and UAN annually from CF Nitrogen. Corporate and Other represents our financing and hedging businesses, which primarily consists of a U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission-regulated futures commission merchant ("FCM") for commodities hedging and financial services related to crop production. Our nonconsolidated investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills, LLC ("Ardent Mills") are also included in our Corporate and Other category. Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each reportable segment and Corporate and Other, based on direct use of services, such as information technology and legal, and other factors or considerations relevant to the costs incurred. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and IBIT generally trend lower during the second fiscal quarter and increase in the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Ag segment, our country operations business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters, respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the spring planting season. Our global grain and processing operations are subject to fluctuations in volume and revenues based on producer harvests, world grain prices, demand and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and revenues during the winter heating and fall crop-drying seasons. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices for commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grain, oilseed, crop nutrients and flour. Changes in market prices for commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather, crop damage due to plant disease or insects, drought, availability and adequacy of supply, availability of reliable rail and river transportation networks, outbreaks of disease, government regulations and policies, global trade disputes, wars and civil unrest, and general political and economic conditions. While our revenues and operating results are derived primarily from businesses and operations that are wholly-owned or subsidiaries and limited liability companies in which we have a controlling interest, a portion of our business operations are conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests of 50% or less or do not control the operations. We account for these investments primarily using the equity method of accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share of income or loss reported by the entity as equity income from investments, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In our Ag segment, this includes our 50 % interest in TEMCO, LLC ("TEMCO"). In our Nitrogen Production segment, this consists of our approximate 9 % membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. In Corporate and Other, this principally includes our 50 % ownership in Ventura Foods and our 12 % ownership in Ardent Mills. See Note 6, Investments , for more information related to our equity method investments. Reconciling amounts represent the elimination of revenues between segments. Such transactions are executed at market prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of the individual business segments. F-32 Table of Contents Segment information for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, is presented in the tables below. Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate and Other Reconciling Amounts Total Year ended August 31, 2023 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 10,761,503 $ 35,456,969 $ — $ 82,107 $ ( 710,575 ) $ 45,590,004 Intersegment revenues ( 664,590 ) ( 31,765 ) — ( 14,220 ) 710,575 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 10,096,913 $ 35,425,204 $ — $ 67,887 $ — $ 45,590,004 Operating earnings (loss) 1,071,492 346,137 ( 73,828 ) ( 301 ) 1,343,500 Interest expense 7,672 71,115 60,090 31,487 ( 32,922 ) 137,442 Other income ( 19,456 ) ( 88,061 ) — ( 37,536 ) 32,922 ( 112,131 ) Equity (income) losses from investments 7,833 ( 48,725 ) ( 394,678 ) ( 254,020 ) ( 689,590 ) Income before income taxes $ 1,075,443 $ 411,808 $ 260,760 $ 259,768 $ — $ 2,007,779 Capital expenditures $ 204,003 $ 308,690 $ — $ 51,829 $ — $ 564,522 Depreciation and amortization $ 254,115 $ 166,982 $ — $ 43,518 $ — $ 464,615 Total assets as of August 31, 2023 $ 4,313,240 $ 7,095,283 $ 2,577,391 $ 4,971,504 $ — $ 18,957,418 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate and Other Reconciling Amounts Total Year ended August 31, 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 10,964,304 $ 37,489,203 $ — $ 45,278 $ ( 707,119 ) $ 47,791,666 Intersegment revenues ( 669,530 ) ( 28,992 ) — ( 8,597 ) 707,119 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 10,294,774 $ 37,460,211 $ — $ 36,681 $ — $ 47,791,666 Operating earnings (loss) 633,832 588,070 ( 55,600 ) ( 37,216 ) 1,129,086 Interest expense 6,768 59,118 48,110 5,105 ( 4,945 ) 114,156 Other (income) expense ( 3,474 ) ( 46,277 ) 11,487 9,559 4,945 ( 23,760 ) Equity (income) losses from investments 13,987 ( 82,357 ) ( 593,182 ) ( 109,775 ) ( 771,327 ) Income before income taxes $ 616,551 $ 657,586 $ 477,985 $ 57,895 $ — $ 1,810,017 Capital expenditures $ 116,136 $ 203,851 $ — $ 34,457 $ — $ 354,444 Depreciation and amortization $ 250,972 $ 173,488 $ — $ 37,512 $ — $ 461,972 Total assets as of August 31, 2022 $ 4,325,121 $ 8,159,191 $ 2,641,604 $ 3,698,891 $ — $ 18,824,807 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate and Other Reconciling Amounts Total Year ended August 31, 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 6,812,478 $ 32,058,064 $ — $ 46,476 $ ( 468,985 ) $ 38,448,033 Intersegment revenues ( 437,217 ) ( 22,722 ) — ( 9,046 ) 468,985 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 6,375,261 $ 32,035,342 $ — $ 37,430 $ — $ 38,448,033 Operating earnings (loss) ( 15,775 ) 265,362 ( 35,432 ) ( 8,358 ) 205,797 Interest expense 1,113 65,099 44,461 1,804 ( 7,912 ) 104,565 Other income ( 2,819 ) ( 47,452 ) ( 2,489 ) ( 14,711 ) 7,912 ( 59,559 ) Equity income from investments ( 3,473 ) ( 50,381 ) ( 198,439 ) ( 102,236 ) ( 354,529 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ ( 10,596 ) $ 298,096 $ 121,035 $ 106,785 $ — $ 515,320 Capital expenditures $ 112,160 $ 148,770 $ — $ 56,864 $ — $ 317,794 Depreciation and amortization $ 245,273 $ 182,210 $ — $ 34,247 $ — $ 461,730 F-33 Table of Contents We have international sales, which are predominantly in our Ag segment. The following table presents our sales, based on the geographic location of the subsidiary making the sale, for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) North America (a) $ 43,376,177 $ 45,039,981 $ 36,540,178 South America 378,021 371,493 242,848 Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) 930,052 1,093,974 955,605 Asia Pacific (APAC) 905,754 1,286,218 709,402 Total $ 45,590,004 $ 47,791,666 $ 38,448,033 (a) Revenues in North America are substantially all attributed to revenues from the United States. Tangible long-lived assets include our property, plant and equipment, finance lease assets and capitalized major maintenance costs. The following table presents tangible long-lived assets by geographical region based on physical location: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) United States $ 5,088,366 $ 4,821,483 International 70,384 70,997 Total $ 5,158,750 $ 4,892,480 Note 15 Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities We enter into various derivative instruments to manage our exposure to movements primarily associated with agricultural and energy commodity prices and, to a lesser degree, foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. Except for certain cash-settled swaps related to future crude oil purchases and refined product sales, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges, our derivative instruments represent economic hedges of price risk for which hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815 is not applied. Rather, the derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value with changes in fair value being recorded directly to earnings, primarily within cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 16, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information. The majority of our exchange traded agricultural commodity futures are settled daily through CHS Hedging, LLC, our wholly-owned FCM. Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities and related margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, along with related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Although we have certain netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain OTC contracts, we have elected to report our derivative instruments on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting . August 31, 2023 Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amounts Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amounts (Dollars in thousands) Derivative assets Commodity derivatives $ 280,440 $ — $ 4,866 $ 275,574 Foreign exchange derivatives 32,402 — 12,330 20,072 Total $ 312,842 $ — $ 17,196 $ 295,646 Derivative liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 349,131 $ 1,505 $ 4,866 $ 342,760 Foreign exchange derivatives 13,799 — 12,330 1,469 Total $ 362,930 $ 1,505 $ 17,196 $ 344,229 F-34 Table of Contents August 31, 2022 Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amounts Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amounts (Dollars in thousands) Derivative assets Commodity derivatives $ 464,167 $ — $ 3,834 $ 460,333 Foreign exchange derivatives 52,923 — 8,901 44,022 Total $ 517,090 $ — $ 12,735 $ 504,355 Derivative liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 378,291 $ 1,424 $ 12,574 $ 364,293 Foreign exchange derivatives 12,649 — 8,901 3,748 Total $ 390,940 $ 1,424 $ 21,475 $ 368,041 Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities of less than 12 months are recorded in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities greater than 12 months are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of long-term derivative assets recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, was $ 1.1 million and $ 8.5 million, respectively. The amount of long-term derivative liabilities recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, was $ 12.6 million and $ 4.0 million, respectively. The following table sets forth the pretax (losses) gains on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: Derivative Type Location of (Loss) Gain 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ ( 360,937 ) $ ( 568,877 ) $ ( 971,581 ) Foreign exchange derivatives Cost of goods sold ( 30,898 ) 9,587 25,277 Foreign exchange derivatives Marketing, general and administrative expenses ( 530 ) 577 1,105 Other derivatives Other income — 2,057 2,489 Total $ ( 392,365 ) $ ( 556,656 ) $ ( 942,710 ) Commodity Contracts When we enter into a commodity purchase or sales commitment, we incur risks related to price changes and performance, including delivery, quality, quantity and shipment period. In the event that market prices decrease, we are exposed to risk of loss for the market value of inventory and purchase contracts with fixed or partially fixed prices. Conversely, we are exposed to risk of loss on our fixed- or partially fixed-price sales contracts in the event that market prices increase. Our use of hedging reduces exposure to price volatility by protecting against adverse short-term price movements but also limits the benefits of favorable short-term price movements. To reduce the price risk associated with fixed-price commitments, we generally enter into commodity derivative contracts, to the extent practical, to achieve a net commodity position within the formal position limits we have established and deemed prudent for each commodity. These contracts are primarily transacted through our FCM on regulated commodity futures exchanges, but may include OTC derivative instruments when deemed appropriate. These contracts are recorded at fair values based on quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges or the market prices of the underlying products listed on the exchanges, except that certain contracts are accounted for as normal purchase and normal sales transactions. For commodities where there is no liquid derivative contract, risk is managed through the use of forward sales contracts, other pricing arrangements and, to some extent, futures contracts in highly correlated commodities. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. Unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recognized in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. When a futures position is established, initial margin must be deposited with the applicable exchange or broker. The amount of margin required varies by commodity and is set by the applicable exchange at its sole discretion. If the market price F-35 Table of Contents relative to a short futures position increases, an additional margin deposit would be required. Similarly, a margin deposit would be required if the market price relative to a long futures position decreases. Conversely, if the market price increases relative to a long futures position or decreases relative to a short futures position, margin deposits may be returned by the applicable exchange or broker. Our policy is to manage our commodity price risk exposure according to internal policies and in alignment with our tolerance for risk. It is our policy that our profitability should come from operations, primarily derived from margins on products sold and grain merchandised, not from hedging transactions. At any one time, inventory and purchase contracts for delivery to us may be substantial. We have risk management policies and procedures that include established net physical position limits. These limits are defined for each commodity and business unit, and business units may include both trader and management limits as appropriate. The limits policy is overseen at a high level by our corporate middle office and compliance team, with day-to-day monitoring procedures being implemented within each individual business unit to ensure any limits overage is explained and exposures reduced, or a temporary limit increase is established if needed. The position limits are reviewed at least annually with our senior leadership and Board of Directors. We monitor current market conditions and may expand or reduce our net position limits or procedures in response to changes in those conditions. The use of hedging instruments does not protect against nonperformance by counterparties to cash contracts. We evaluate counterparty exposure by reviewing contracts and adjusting the values to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty's financial condition and the risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different from the current market prices. We manage these risks by entering into fixed-price purchase and sales contracts with preapproved producers and by establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed-price contracts are entered into with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. Regarding our use of derivatives, we transact in exchange traded instruments or enter into over-the-counter derivatives that primarily clear through our FCM, which limits our counterparty exposure relative to hedging activities. Historically, we have not experienced significant events of nonperformance on open contracts. Accordingly, we only adjust the estimated fair values of specifically identified contracts for nonperformance. Although we have established policies and procedures, we make no assurances that historical nonperformance experience will carry forward to future periods. As of August 31, 2023 and 2022, we had outstanding commodity futures and options contracts that were used as economic hedges, as well as fixed-price forward contracts related to physical purchases and sales of commodities. The table below presents the notional volumes for all outstanding commodity contracts: 2023 2022 Derivative Type Long Short Long Short (Units in thousands) Grain and oilseed (bushels) 506,654 630,803 609,300 773,239 Energy products (barrels) 11,839 8,085 10,541 5,706 Processed grain and oilseed (tons) 7,380 9,437 1,191 4,182 Crop nutrients (tons) 70 10 23 22 Ocean freight (metric tons) 40 — 60 — Natural gas (MMBtu) 460 — 420 — Foreign Exchange Contracts We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S. dollars, but we are exposed to risks relating to foreign currency fluctuations primarily due to global grain marketing transactions in South America, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, and purchases of products from Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Although CHS has some risk exposure relating to foreign currency transactions, a larger impact with exchange rate fluctuations is the ability of foreign buyers to purchase U.S. agricultural products and the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products compared to the same products offered by alternative sources of world supply. The notional amount of our foreign exchange derivative contracts was $ 1.9 billion as of August 31, 2023 and 2022. F-36 Table of Contents Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedging Strategies Certain pay-fixed, receive-variable, cash-settled swaps are designated as cash flow hedges of future crude oil purchases in our Energy segment. We also designate certain pay-variable, receive-fixed, cash-settled swaps as cash flow hedges of future refined product sales. These hedging instruments and the related hedged items are exposed to significant market price risk and potential volatility. As part of our risk management strategy, we look to hedge a portion of our expected future crude oil needs and the resulting refined product output based on prevailing futures prices, management's expectations about future commodity price changes and our risk appetite. We may also elect to dedesignate certain derivative instruments previously designated as cash flow hedges as part of our risk management strategy. Amounts recorded in other comprehensive income for these dedesignated derivative instruments remain in other comprehensive income and are recognized in earnings in the period in which the underlying transactions affect earnings. As of August 31, 2023 and 2022, the aggregate notional amount of cash flow hedges was 4.1 million and 3.8 million barrels, respectively. The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the line items on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded as of August 31, 2023 and 2022: Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Balance Sheet Location 2023 2022 Balance Sheet Location 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) Other current assets $ 8,395 $ 27,154 Other current liabilities $ 5,345 $ 11,818 The following table presents the pretax losses recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives $ ( 12,285 ) $ ( 2,071 ) $ ( 7,824 ) The following table presents the pretax (losses) gains relating to our existing cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021: Location of (Loss) Gain 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ ( 14,853 ) $ ( 6,254 ) $ 21,262 Note 16 Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement, defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. We determine fair values of derivative instruments and certain other assets, based on the fair value hierarchy established in ASC Topic 820, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability based on the best information available in the circumstances. ASC Topic 820 describes three levels within its hierarchy that may be used to measure fair value, and our assessment of relevant instruments within those levels is as follows: Level 1. Values are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. These assets and liabilities may include exchange-traded derivative instruments, rabbi trust investments, segregated investments and marketable securities. Level 2. Values are based on quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities. These assets and liabilities include interest rate, foreign exchange and commodity swaps; forward commodity contracts with a fixed price component; and other OTC derivatives whose values are determined with inputs that are based on exchange traded prices, adjusted for location-specific F-37 Table of Contents inputs that are primarily observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. Level 3. Values are generated from unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are a significant component of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. These unobservable inputs would reflect our own estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing related assets or liabilities. Valuation techniques might include the use of pricing models, discounted cash flow models or similar techniques. The following tables present assets and liabilities, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine these fair values. Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is a significant component of the fair value measurement. The lowest level of input is considered Level 3. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. Recurring fair value measurements as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets Commodity derivatives $ 5,344 $ 283,491 $ — $ 288,835 Foreign currency derivatives — 32,402 — 32,402 Segregated investments and marketable securities 225,715 — — 225,715 Other assets 89,592 — — 89,592 Total $ 320,651 $ 315,893 $ — $ 636,544 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 7,501 $ 346,975 $ — $ 354,476 Foreign currency derivatives — 13,799 — 13,799 Total $ 7,501 $ 360,774 $ — $ 368,275 2022 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets Commodity derivatives $ 1,161 $ 490,160 $ — $ 491,321 Foreign currency derivatives — 52,923 — 52,923 Segregated investments and marketable securities 238,124 — — 238,124 Other assets 58,280 — — 58,280 Total $ 297,565 $ 543,083 $ — $ 840,648 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 10,256 $ 379,883 $ — $ 390,139 Foreign currency derivatives — 12,649 — 12,649 Total $ 10,256 $ 392,532 $ — $ 402,788 F-38 Table of Contents Commodity and foreign currency derivatives. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Our forward commodity purchase and sales contracts with fixed-price components, select ocean freight contracts and other OTC derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, including location-specific adjustments, and are classified within Level 2. Location-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand and are generally based on broker or dealer quotations or market transactions in either listed or OTC markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold. Segregated investments and marketable securities and other assets. Our segregated investments and marketable securities and other assets are comprised primarily of investments in various government agencies, U.S. Treasury securities, money market funds and rabbi trust assets, which are valued using quoted market prices and classified within Level 1. Note 17 Commitments and Contingencies Environmental We are required to comply with various environmental laws and regulations incidental to our normal business operations. To meet our compliance requirements, we establish reserves for future costs of remediation associated with identified issues that are both probable and can be reasonably estimated. Estimates of environmental costs are based on current available facts, existing technology, undiscounted site-specific costs and currently enacted laws and regulations and are included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Recoveries, if any, are recorded in the period in which recovery is received. Liabilities are monitored and adjusted as new facts or changes in law or technology occur. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we currently believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year. Other Litigation and Claims We are involved as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of our business. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we currently believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows during any fiscal year. Guarantees We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, nonconsolidated companies. Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of $ 1.1 billion, of which $ 75.9 million were outstanding as of August 31, 2023. We have collateral for a portion of these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a liability related to the contingent obligations as we do not expect to pay out any cash related to them, and the fair values are considered immaterial. The underlying loans to the counterparties for which we provide these guarantees are current as of August 31, 2023. Credit Commitments CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of any contractually established conditions. As of August 31, 2023, CHS Capital customers had additional available credit of $ 1.1 billion. Unconditional Purchase Obligations Unconditional purchase obligations are commitments to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices. Our long-term unconditional purchase obligations primarily relate to pipeline and grain handling take-or-pay and throughput agreements and are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of August 31, 2023, minimum future payments required under long-term commitments that are noncancelable and that third parties have used to secure financing for facilities that will provide contracted goods, are as follows: Payments Due by Period Total 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter (Dollars in thousands) Long-term unconditional purchase obligations $ 451,943 $ 86,073 $ 64,134 $ 61,738 $ 47,795 $ 40,775 $ 151,428 F-39 Table of Contents Total payments under these arrangements were $ 77.8 million, $ 75.2 million and $ 81.0 million for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Note 18 Related Party Transactions We purchase and sell grain and other agricultural commodity products from certain equity investees , primarily CF Nitrogen, Ventura Foods, Ardent Mills and TEMCO. Sales to and purchases from related parties for the years ended August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are as follows: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Sales $ 1,653,125 $ 1,511,532 $ 2,744,482 Purchases 1,697,780 2,040,357 2,682,165 Receivables due from and payables due to related parties as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, are as follows: 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Due from related parties $ 80,510 $ 78,600 Due to related parties 90,267 140,174 As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers and ranchers and member cooperatives, which are referred to as members. We buy commodities from and provide products and services to our members. Individually, our members do not have a significant ownership in CHS. Note 19 Leases We assess arrangements at inception to determine whether they contain a lease. An arrangement is considered to contain a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset must include both (i) the right to obtain substantially all economic benefits associated with an identified asset and (ii) the right to direct how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. Certain service agreements may provide us with the right to use an identified asset; however, most of these arrangements are not considered to represent a lease as we do not control how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. We lease property, plant and equipment used in our operations primarily under operating lease agreements and, to a lesser extent, under finance lease agreements. Our leases are primarily for railcars, equipment, vehicles and office space, many of which contain renewal options and escalation clauses. Renewal options are included as part of the right of use asset and liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the renewal option; however, renewal options are generally not included as we are not reasonably certain to exercise such options. Right of use assets and liabilities for operating and finance leases are recognized under ASC Topic 842 at the lease commencement date for leases in excess of 12 months based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. For measurement and classification of lease agreements, lease and nonlease components are grouped into a single lease component for all asset classes. Variable lease payments are excluded from measurement of right of use assets and liabilities and generally include payments for nonlease components such as maintenance costs, payments for leased assets beyond their noncancelable lease term and payments for other nonlease components such as sales tax. The discount rate used to calculate present value is our collateralized incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is determined for each lease based primarily on its lease term. Certain lease arrangements include rental payments adjusted annually based on changes in an inflation index. Our lease arrangements generally do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. F-40 Table of Contents Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The components of lease expense recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as of August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, are as follows: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Operating lease expense $ 77,588 $ 71,209 $ 73,489 Finance lease expense: Amortization of assets 8,966 8,967 8,065 Interest on lease liabilities 1,646 1,469 938 Short-term lease expense 20,068 16,915 16,955 Variable lease expense 650 1,699 2,300 Total net lease expense* $ 108,918 $ 100,259 $ 101,747 *Income related to sublease activity is not material and has been excluded from the table above. Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and finance leases as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows: Balance Sheet Location 2023 2022 (Dollars in thousands) Operating leases Assets Operating lease right of use assets Other assets $ 254,844 $ 242,859 Liabilities Current operating lease liabilities Accrued expenses $ 61,094 $ 54,702 Long-term operating lease liabilities Other liabilities 200,758 194,250 Total operating lease liabilities $ 261,852 $ 248,952 Finance leases Assets Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment $ 64,381 $ 57,932 Liabilities Current finance lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $ 6,797 $ 7,609 Long-term finance lease liabilities Long-term debt 42,438 37,164 Total finance lease liabilities $ 49,235 $ 44,773 Information related to the lease term and discount rate for operating and finance leases as of August 31, 2023 and 2022, is as follows: 2023 2022 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) Operating leases 7.0 7.6 Finance leases 9.6 10.4 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.50 % 3.00 % Finance leases 3.78 % 3.42 % F-41 Table of Contents Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating and finance leases as of August 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, is as follows: 2023 2022 2021 (Dollars in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 71,798 $ 61,750 $ 71,702 Operating cash flows from finance leases 1,646 1,469 938 Financing cash flows from finance leases 8,571 9,171 8,235 Supplemental noncash information: Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities $ 69,837 $ 54,199 $ 43,991 Right of use asset modifications 28,614 12,887 27,664 Maturities of lease liabilities by fiscal year as of August 31, 2023, were as follows: August 31, 2023 Finance Leases Operating Leases (Dollars in thousands) 2024 $ 8,548 $ 70,414 2025 6,885 57,904 2026 6,316 46,733 2027 5,943 31,407 2028 5,767 18,246 Thereafter 25,738 74,075 Total maturities of lease liabilities 59,197 298,779 Less amounts representing interest 9,962 36,927 Present value of future minimum lease payments 49,235 261,852 Less current obligations 6,797 61,094 Long-term obligations $ 42,438 $ 200,758 F-42