CHS Returns $231 Million to Owners

ST. PAUL, Minn., Feb. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- CHS Inc. (Nasdaq: CHSCP) owners in all 50 states will share in an estimated $231 million disbursement during 2011 as a result of the leading energy and grain-based foods company's strong fiscal 2010 earnings. The distribution maintains a period of five consecutive years of significant cash returns to owners.

Since its creation in 1998, CHS has returned more than $2 billion in cash to its agricultural producer and member cooperative owners.

The $141 million distribution being made to member-owners this month consisted of cash patronage paid on fiscal 2010 business and retirement of previously earned CHS equity. Additional retirements of equity and dividends paid on preferred stock made throughout the year are expected to bring the fiscal 2011 cash return total to about $231 million.  

"In making this distribution, CHS has demonstrated one of the most important ways we can deliver on our mission of adding value for all of our stakeholders," said Michael Toelle, CHS Board chairman and a Browns Valley, Minn., farmer. "Strong financial performance also allows CHS to meet our member-owners' needs on a daily basis and to fulfill a long-term strategic direction as a successful energy and grain-based foods company."

CHS net income for its fiscal year ending Aug. 31, 2010, was $502.2 million.

During 2011, distributions are being made to nearly 1,100 member companies and more than 45,000 individuals and other businesses. Patronage is based on business done with CHS by member cooperatives and individual farmers and ranchers during fiscal 2010, while equity redemptions and preferred stock distributions represent retirement of ownership in CHS earned in past years.

State by state, approximate distributions:

CHS Inc. (www.chsinc.com) is a diversified energy, grains and foods company committed to providing the essential resources that enrich lives around the world. A Fortune 100 company, CHS is owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives, along with thousands of preferred stockholders across the United States. CHS supplies energy, crop nutrients, grain, livestock feed, food and food ingredients, along with business solutions including insurance, financial and risk management services. The company operates petroleum refineries/pipelines and manufactures, markets and distributes Cenex® brand refined fuels, lubricants, propane and renewable energy products. CHS is listed on the NASDAQ at CHSCP.

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the potential results discussed in the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligations to publicly revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances. For a discussion of additional factors that may materially affect management's estimates and predictions, please view the CHS Inc. annual report filed on Form 10-K for the year ended Aug. 31, 2010, which can be found on the Securities and Exchange Commission web site (www.sec.gov) or on the CHS web site www.chsinc.com.

SOURCE CHS Inc.