CHS Acquires DDG Business of Commodity Specialists Company

07/08/07 CHS, a leading grains, food and energy company, and Commodity Specialists Company (CSC) have entered into a definitive purchase agreement for CHS to acquire the distillers dried grain (DDG) marketing business of CSC. The transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies and is scheduled to become effective in the coming week. Steve Markham and Sean Broderick, current managers of this operation for CSC, will continue to direct the activity of this unit as employees of CHS.

"For the last 20 years, CSC has successfully focused on being the premier independent DDG marketer in the ethanol industry," said Phil Lindau, CSC co-president. "As volume in the ethanol industry continues to expand rapidly over the next five years, we determined our DDG business would benefit from the resources of a larger entity."

"This DDG business, in addition to providing exceptional sourcing for current CSC customers, also provides an excellent supply complement to CHS grain and by-product customers, both domestically and internationally," said Rick Browne, senior vice president, CHS Grain Marketing. "Putting together CSC's marketing and industry expertise with our global access and established distribution capabilities will enhance the already high level of service and market execution to both ethanol plant suppliers and DDG customers."