Basis of Presentation, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Consolidated Financial Statements	Consolidated Financial Statements The consolidated financial statements include the company’s accounts and all significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity method basis. The company also owns a majority interest in FQT, with their results being consolidated in our consolidated financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Because they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, the consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2026. The unaudited financial information reflects adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The adjustments are normal and recurring in nature, unless otherwise noted. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.
Reclassifications	Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. See the change in accounting policy note directly below for more information.
Change In Accounting Policy	Change in Accounting Policy During the first quarter of 2026, the company elected to early adopt ASU 2025-10, Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities. Concurrently, the company elected to change its accounting policy related to the recognition of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits. The change in accounting policy results in the recognition of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits by analogy under the income model of ASU 2025-10, which results in a reduction of cost of goods sold in the statements of operations and recognition as production tax credits on the consolidated balance sheets. The company previously recorded the credits under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, which resulted in recognition within income tax benefit in the statements of operations and deferred income taxes, net in the consolidated balance sheets. The company determined that the income model under ASU 2025-10 is preferable because it better reflects the financial benefit of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits netted against the costs to produce the low-carbon fuels that the tax legislation was meant to incentivize. The company determined that retrospective adjustment to prior period financials is required. No Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits were recognized during the first or second quarters of 2025, so no adjustments were made in the statements of operations; however, the company has reclassified balances previously reported as deferred income taxes, net, and other long-term liabilities to production tax credits on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025. The company has included a summary of reclassifications in the table below to disclose the reclassifications to the financial statements presented in this filing to conform them to the presentation under the new accounting policy. The impact for the change in accounting policy resulted in $65.6 million of production tax credits being recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold in the first quarter of 2026, which would have previously been recognized as income tax benefit under our previous accounting policy election.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances and regularly evaluates the appropriateness of its estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to derivative financial instruments, accounting for income taxes and production tax credits, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
Description of Business	Description of Business The company operates within two operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein at four plants, and renewable corn oil, in addition to CCS operations at our three Nebraska plants, and (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents includes bank deposits as well as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.
Restricted Cash	Restricted Cash The company has restricted cash, which can only be used for funding letters of credit and for payment towards a credit agreement. Restricted cash also includes cash margins and securities pledged to commodity exchange clearinghouses. To the degree these segregated balances are cash and cash equivalents, they are considered restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.
Production Tax Credits	Production Tax Credits Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits are recorded in the period when production occurs and the company anticipates these credits will be sold in a qualifying manner. The credits are valued utilizing each qualifying facility’s CI score and the expected sales price of the credits, which is representative of fair value. The balance reported in the consolidated balance sheets represents the value of credits for which payment has not yet been collected.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The company recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Sales, value add, and other taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue. Sales of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities by the company’s marketing business are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenues related to marketing for third parties are presented on a gross basis as the company controls the product prior to the sale to the end customer, takes title of the product and has inventory risk. Unearned revenue is recorded for goods in transit when the company has received payment but control has not yet been transferred to the customer. Revenues for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer. The company routinely enters into physical-delivery energy commodity purchase and sale agreements. At times, the company settles these transactions by transferring its obligations to other counterparties rather than delivering the physical commodity. Revenues include net gains or losses from derivatives related to products sold while cost of goods sold includes net gains or losses from derivatives related to commodities purchased. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Sales of products are recognized when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which depends on the agreed upon shipment or delivery terms.
Shipping and Handling Costs	Shipping and Handling Costs The company accounts for shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers as costs to fulfill its promise to transfer the associated products. Accordingly, the company records customer payments associated with shipping and handling costs as a component of revenue, and classifies such costs as a component of cost of goods sold.
Cost of Goods Sold	Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold includes materials, direct labor, shipping, plant overhead and transportation costs, partially offset by Section 45Z production tax credits. Materials include the cost of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs, as well as reclassifications of gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in production. Shipping costs incurred by the company, including railcar costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold. Plant overhead consists primarily of plant utilities, and repairs and maintenance. Transportation costs include railcar leases, freight and shipping of the company's products, as well as storage costs incurred at destination terminals. The Section 45Z clean fuel production credit is a general business credit under Section 38 that is allowed with respect to clean transportation fuel produced domestically after December 31, 2024, and before December 31, 2029. This credit, which was part of the IRA, and subsequently extended by the OBBB, incentivizes the production of clean fuels at our plants that reduce GHG emissions below a CI score of 50. The tax credit is calculated by multiplying the gallons of clean transportation fuel that complies with the qualified sale provision times the CI emission factor times the applicable credit rate per gallon ($0.20 for non-SAF transportation fuel, or $1.00, subject to adjustments based on GDP, if the taxpayer satisfies the prevailing wage requirements under Section 45Z). Based on production and CI scores for the three months ended March 31, 2026, the company recorded production tax credits net of discounts of $65.6 million related to Section 45Z production tax credits as a reduction of cost of goods sold. The company expects to benefit from certain energy related tax credits in future years. The company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts and forward purchase and sale contracts to attempt to minimize the effect of price changes on ethanol, renewable corn oil, grain and natural gas. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices and settled predominantly in cash. The company is exposed to loss when counterparties default on forward purchase and sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale and forward purchase and sale contracts are valued at market prices when available or other market quotes adjusted for basis differences, primarily in transportation, between the exchange-traded market and local market where the terms of the contract are based. Changes in forward purchase contracts and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized as a component of cost of goods sold.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments The company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts, to attempt to minimize risk and the effect of commodity price changes including but not limited to, corn, ethanol, natural gas and other agricultural and energy products. The company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy to reduce the adverse effect market volatility may have on its operating results. The company may hedge these commodities as one way to mitigate risk; however, there may be situations when these hedging activities themselves result in losses. By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the company is exposed to credit and market risk. The company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring their financial condition. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The company manages market risk by incorporating parameters to monitor exposure within its risk management strategy, which limits the types of derivative instruments and strategies the company can use and the degree of market risk it can take using derivative instruments. Forward contracts are recorded at fair value unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, normal purchase or sale exceptions. Changes in fair value are recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, cash flow hedge accounting treatment. Certain qualifying derivatives related to ethanol production and agribusiness and energy services are designated as cash flow hedges. The company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness prior to entering into cash flow hedges. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until the gain or loss from the underlying hedged transaction is realized and the physical transaction is completed. When it becomes probable a forecasted transaction will not occur, the cash flow hedge treatment is discontinued, which affects earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or current liabilities at fair value. At times, the company hedges its exposure to changes in inventory values and designates qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted in the current period for changes in fair value. Estimated fair values carried at market are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted as appropriate for regional location basis values which represent differences in local markets including transportation as well as quality or grade differences. Basis values are generally determined using inputs from broker quotations or other market transactions. However, a portion of the value may be derived using unobservable inputs. Ineffectiveness of the hedges is recognized in the current period to the extent the change in fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in fair value of the derivative.

Basis of Presentation, Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2026

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

The consolidated financial statements include the company’s accounts and all significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity method basis.

The company also owns a majority interest in FQT, with their results being consolidated in our consolidated financial statements.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Because they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, the consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, filed with the SEC on February 10, 2026.

The unaudited financial information reflects adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. The adjustments are normal and recurring in nature, unless otherwise noted. Interim period results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entire year.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. See the change in accounting policy note directly below for more information.

Change In Accounting Policy

Change in Accounting Policy

During the first quarter of 2026, the company elected to early adopt ASU 2025-10, Accounting for Government Grants Received by Business Entities. Concurrently, the company elected to change its accounting policy related to the recognition of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits. The change in accounting policy results in the recognition of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits by analogy under the income model of ASU 2025-10, which results in a reduction of cost of goods sold in the statements of operations and recognition as production tax credits on the consolidated balance sheets. The company previously recorded the credits under ASC 740, Accounting for Income Taxes, which resulted in recognition within income tax benefit in the statements of operations and deferred income taxes, net in the consolidated balance sheets. The company determined that the income model under ASU 2025-10 is preferable because it better reflects the financial benefit of Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits netted against the costs to produce the low-carbon fuels that the tax legislation was meant to incentivize. The company determined that retrospective adjustment to prior period financials is required. No Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits were recognized during the first or second quarters of 2025, so no adjustments were made in the statements of operations; however, the company has reclassified balances previously reported as deferred income taxes, net, and other long-term liabilities to production tax credits on the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025. The company has included a summary of reclassifications in the table below to disclose the reclassifications to the financial statements presented in this filing to conform them to the presentation under the new accounting policy. The impact for the change in accounting policy resulted in $65.6 million of production tax credits being recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold in the first quarter of 2026, which would have previously been recognized as income tax benefit under our previous accounting policy election.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The company bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances and regularly evaluates the appropriateness of its estimates and assumptions. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Certain accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to derivative financial instruments, accounting for income taxes and production tax credits, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Description of Business

The company operates within two operating segments: (1) ethanol production, which includes the production, storage and transportation of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein at four plants, and renewable corn oil, in addition to CCS operations at our three Nebraska plants, and (2) agribusiness and energy services, which includes grain handling and storage, commodity marketing and merchant trading for company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes bank deposits as well as short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Restricted Cash

The company has restricted cash, which can only be used for funding letters of credit and for payment towards a credit agreement. Restricted cash also includes cash margins and securities pledged to commodity exchange clearinghouses. To the degree these segregated balances are cash and cash equivalents, they are considered restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets.

Production Tax Credits

Section 45Z clean fuel production tax credits are recorded in the period when production occurs and the company anticipates these credits will be sold in a qualifying manner. The credits are valued utilizing each qualifying facility’s CI score and the expected sales price of the credits, which is representative of fair value. The balance reported in the consolidated balance sheets represents the value of credits for which payment has not yet been collected.

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Sales, value add, and other taxes the company collects concurrent with revenue-producing activities are excluded from revenue.

Sales of ethanol, distillers grains, Ultra-High Protein, renewable corn oil, natural gas and other commodities by the company’s marketing business are recognized when obligations under the terms of a contract with a customer are satisfied. Generally, this occurs with the transfer of control of products or services. Revenues related to marketing for third parties are presented on a gross basis as the company controls the product prior to the sale to the end customer, takes title of the product and has inventory risk. Unearned revenue is recorded for goods in transit when the company has received payment but control has not yet been transferred to the customer. Revenues for receiving, storing, transferring and transporting ethanol and other fuels are recognized when the product is delivered to the customer.

The company routinely enters into physical-delivery energy commodity purchase and sale agreements. At times, the company settles these transactions by transferring its obligations to other counterparties rather than delivering the physical commodity. Revenues include net gains or losses from derivatives related to products sold while cost of goods sold includes net gains or losses from derivatives related to commodities purchased. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss.

Sales of products are recognized when control of the product is transferred to the customer, which depends on the agreed upon shipment or delivery terms.

Shipping and Handling Costs

The company accounts for shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers as costs to fulfill its promise to transfer the associated products. Accordingly, the company records customer payments associated with shipping and handling costs as a component of revenue, and classifies such costs as a component of cost of goods sold.

Cost of Goods Sold

Cost of goods sold includes materials, direct labor, shipping, plant overhead and transportation costs, partially offset by Section 45Z production tax credits. Materials include the cost of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs, as well as reclassifications of gains and losses on cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income or loss. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in production. Shipping costs incurred by the company, including railcar costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold. Plant overhead consists primarily of plant utilities, and repairs and maintenance. Transportation costs include railcar leases, freight and shipping of the company's products, as well as storage costs incurred at destination terminals.

The Section 45Z clean fuel production credit is a general business credit under Section 38 that is allowed with respect to clean transportation fuel produced domestically after December 31, 2024, and before December 31, 2029. This credit, which was part of the IRA, and subsequently extended by the OBBB, incentivizes the production of clean fuels at our plants that reduce GHG emissions below a CI score of 50. The tax credit is calculated by multiplying the gallons of clean transportation fuel that complies with the qualified sale provision times the CI emission factor times the applicable credit rate per gallon ($0.20 for non-SAF transportation fuel, or $1.00, subject to adjustments based on GDP, if the taxpayer satisfies the prevailing wage requirements under Section 45Z). Based on production and CI scores for the three months ended March 31, 2026, the company recorded production tax credits net of discounts of $65.6 million related to Section 45Z production tax credits as a reduction of cost of goods sold. The company expects to benefit from certain energy related tax credits in future years.

The company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts and forward purchase and sale contracts to attempt to minimize the effect of price changes on ethanol, renewable corn oil, grain and natural gas. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices and settled predominantly in cash. The company is exposed to loss when counterparties default on forward purchase and sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale and forward purchase and sale contracts are valued at market prices when available or other market quotes adjusted for basis differences, primarily in transportation, between the exchange-traded market and local market where the terms of the contract are based. Changes in forward purchase contracts and exchange-traded futures and options contracts are recognized as a component of cost of goods sold.

Derivative Financial Instruments

The company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts, to attempt to minimize risk and the effect of commodity price changes including but not limited to, corn, ethanol, natural gas and other agricultural and energy products. The company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy to reduce the adverse effect market volatility may have on its operating results. The company may hedge these commodities as one way to mitigate risk; however, there may be situations when these hedging activities themselves result in losses.

By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the company is exposed to credit and market risk. The company’s exposure to credit risk includes the counterparty’s failure to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring their financial condition. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The company manages market risk by incorporating parameters to monitor exposure within its risk management strategy, which limits the types of derivative instruments and strategies the company can use and the degree of market risk it can take using derivative instruments.

Forward contracts are recorded at fair value unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, normal purchase or sale exceptions. Changes in fair value are recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the company elects, cash flow hedge accounting treatment.

Certain qualifying derivatives related to ethanol production and agribusiness and energy services are designated as cash flow hedges. The company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness prior to entering into cash flow hedges. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income or loss until the gain or loss from the underlying hedged transaction is realized and the physical transaction is completed. When it becomes probable a forecasted transaction will not occur, the cash flow hedge treatment is discontinued, which affects earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or current liabilities at fair value.

At times, the company hedges its exposure to changes in inventory values and designates qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted in the current period for changes in fair value. Estimated fair values carried at market are based on exchange-quoted prices, adjusted as appropriate for regional location basis values which represent differences in local markets including transportation as well as quality or grade differences. Basis values are generally determined using inputs from broker quotations or other market transactions. However, a portion of the value may be derived using unobservable inputs. Ineffectiveness of the hedges is recognized in the current period to the extent the change in fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in fair value of the derivative.