Receivables



	November 30, 2018		August 31, 2018
	(Dollars in thousands)
Trade accounts receivable	$	1,743,258	$	1,578,764
CHS Capital notes receivable	683,407		569,379
Other	486,398		534,071
	2,913,063		2,682,214
Less: allowances and reserves	226,968		221,813
Total receivables	$	2,686,095	$	2,460,401

Trade Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are initially recorded at a selling price, which approximates fair value, upon the sale of goods or services to customers. Subsequently, trade accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, level of past due accounts, and our relationships with, and the economic status of, our customers.

CHS Capital

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, adjusted for the allowance of loan losses, as CHS Capital has the intent and ability to hold the applicable loans for the foreseeable future or until maturity or pay-off. The carrying value of CHS Capital short-term notes receivable approximates fair value, given the notes' short duration and the use of market pricing adjusted for risk.

The notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of certain regional cooperative’s capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin 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 originated in the same states as the commercial notes as well as in Michigan.

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 $211.3 million and $203.0 million at November 30, 2018, and August 31, 2018, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in Other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of November 30, 2018, and August 31, 2018, the commercial notes represented 52% and 40%, respectively, and the producer notes represented 48% and 60%, respectively, of the 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 November 30, 2018, CHS Capital's customers had additional available credit of $567.4 million.

Allowance for Loan Losses and Impairments

CHS Capital maintains an allowance for loan losses which is the estimate of potential incurred losses inherent in the loans receivable portfolio. In accordance with FASB ASC 450-20, Accounting for Loss Contingencies, and ASC 310-10, Accounting by Creditors for Impairment of a Loan, the allowance for loan losses consists of general and specific components. The general component is based on historical loss experience and qualitative factors addressing operational risks and industry trends. The specific component relates to loans receivable that are classified as impaired. Additions to the allowance for loan losses are reflected within reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The portion of loans receivable deemed uncollectible is charged off against the allowance. Recoveries of previously charged off amounts increase the allowance for loan losses. The amount of CHS Capital notes that were past due was not significant at any reporting date presented.

Interest Income

Interest income is recognized on the accrual basis using a method that computes simple interest daily. The accrual of interest on commercial loans receivable is discontinued at the time the commercial loan receivable is 90 days past due unless the credit 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 non-accrual 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.

Other Receivables

Other receivables are comprised of certain other amounts recorded in the normal course of business, including receivables related to value-added taxes and pre-crop financing, primarily to Brazilian farmers, to finance a portion of supplier production costs. We do not bear any of the costs or operational risks associated with the related growing crops, though our ability to be paid depends on the crops actually produced. The financing is collateralized by future crops, land and physical assets of the suppliers, carries a local market interest rate and settles when the farmer’s crop is harvested and sold.