Acquisitions

During the year ended August 31, 2016, we acquired various businesses primarily in our Ag segment for $50.3 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.

During the year ended August 31, 2015, we acquired various businesses in our Ag segment for $321.0 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. Included among these transactions was the June 2015 acquisition of Patriot Holdings, LLC, which operates an ethanol plant that has expanded our grain origination opportunities and increased our renewable fuels capacity. Additionally, we acquired Northstar Agri Industries, a canola processing and refining business in July 2015. The acquisition expanded our oilseed processing platform to include canola in addition to soybeans, expanded our oil product offerings to global food companies, and linked growers selling canola seed to CHS to an integrated supply chain. The allocation of consideration for net assets acquired in our aggregate acquisitions during the year ended August 31, 2015 is summarized as follows:



	(Dollars in thousands)
Current assets	$	60,577
Property, plant and equipment	312,288
Goodwill	423
Other assets	16,118
Current liabilities	(60,127		)
Other liabilities	(8,261		)
Total net assets acquired	$	321,018

During the year ended August 31, 2014, we acquired various businesses primarily in our Ag segment for $281.5 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. Included among these transactions was the acquisition of Illinois River Energy LLC, which operates an ethanol plant that expanded our grain origination opportunities and increased renewable fuels capacity. Additionally, we acquired the fertilizer business and assets of Terral RiverService, a transportation service company specializing in the bulk storage and handling of dry and liquid materials along the Mississippi River system, the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway and inland waterways of Louisiana and southern Arkansas. See Note 6, Other Assets for information about the amounts of goodwill and intangible assets recorded as a result of these transactions.

CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. (formerly National Cooperative Refinery Association or "NCRA")

In November 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock transfer agreement between us and GROWMARK, Inc. ("Growmark"), and a stock transfer agreement between us and MFA Oil Company ("MFA"). Pursuant to these agreements, we began to acquire from Growmark and MFA shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock of NCRA representing approximately 25.6% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock. Prior to the first closing, we owned the remaining approximately 74.4% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock as of August 31, 2012 and accordingly, upon completion of the acquisitions described by these agreements, NCRA would be a wholly-owned subsidiary. As of August 31, 2015, our ownership was 88.9% and with the final closing in September 2015, our ownership increased to 100%. The entity is now known as CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. ("CHS McPherson").

Pursuant to the agreement with Growmark, we acquired stock representing approximately 18.6% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock in four separate closings held on September 1, 2012, September 1, 2013, September 1, 2014 and September 1, 2015, for an aggregate base purchase price of $255.5 million (approximately $48.0 million of which was paid through each of the first three closings, and $111.4 million of which was paid at the final closing in September 2015). In addition, Growmark is entitled to receive up to two contingent purchase price payments following each individual closing, calculated as set forth in the agreement with Growmark, if the average crack spread margin referred to therein over the year ending on August 31 of the calendar year in which the contingent payment date falls exceeds a specified target.

Pursuant to the agreement with MFA, we acquired stock representing approximately 7.0% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock in four separate closings held on September 1, 2012, September 1, 2013, September 1, 2014 and September 1, 2015, for an aggregate base purchase price of $95.5 million (approximately $18.0 million of which was paid through each of the first three closings, and $41.6 million of which was paid at the final closing in September 2015). In addition, MFA is entitled to receive up to two contingent purchase price payments following each individual closing, calculated as set forth in the agreement with MFA, if the average crack spread margin referred to therein over the year ending on August 31 of the calendar year in which the contingent payment date falls exceeds a specified target.

As of August 31, 2016 and 2015, the amounts recognized in other liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for these contingent consideration arrangements are $15.1 million and $76.0 million, respectively. Corresponding gains of $60.9 million and $36.3 million are included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The first contingent consideration payment in the amount of $16.5 million was made in October 2013; and based on the average crack spread margins during fiscal 2014, no payment was made in October 2014. As of August 31, 2015, $2.6 million was recorded as a current liability and was subsequently paid in October 2015. Based on the average crack spread margin during fiscal 2016, no payment was made in October 2016.

In accordance with ASC Topic 480, patronage earned by Growmark and MFA has been included as interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. No interest was recognized during the year ended August 31, 2016. During the years ended August 31, 2015 and 2014, $31.0 million and $65.5 million, respectively, was recognized as interest expense for the patronage earned by Growmark and MFA.