CHS INC

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CHS Inc. is a diversified company that provides grain, food, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global scale. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders who own our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on the Global Select Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC. We operate in the following three reportable segments:

Current wording

CHS Inc. is a diversified company that provides grain, food, agronomy and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global scale. As a cooperative, we are owned by farmers, ranchers and member cooperatives across the United States. We also have preferred shareholders who own our five series of preferred stock, all of which are listed and traded on Nasdaq. We operate in the following three reportable segments:

Previous wording

•Energy. Produces and provides primarily for wholesale distribution and transportation of petroleum products.

Current wording

•Energy. Produces and provides petroleum products primarily for wholesale distribution and transportation.

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•Ag. Purchases and further processes or resells grain and oilseed originated by our ag retail and global grain and processing businesses, by our member cooperatives and by third parties. It also includes our renewable fuels business and serves as a wholesaler and retailer of agronomy products.

Current wording

•Ag. Purchases and further processes or resells grain and oilseed originated by our ag retail and global grain and processing businesses, by our member cooperatives and by third parties. This segment also includes our renewable fuels business and serves as a wholesaler and retailer of agronomy products.

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•Nitrogen Production. Produces and distributes nitrogen fertilizer. It consists of our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen and allocated expenses.

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•Nitrogen Production. Produces and distributes nitrogen fertilizer. This segment consists of our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen and allocated expenses.

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Management's Focus. When evaluating our operating performance, management focuses on gross profit and income before income taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and global trade volumes. Consequently, we focus on managing the margin we can earn and the resulting IBIT. We also focus on ensuring balance sheet strength through appropriate management of financial liquidity, leverage, capital allocation and cash flow optimization.

Current wording

Management's Focus. When evaluating our operating performance, management focuses on income before income taxes ("IBIT"). As a company that operates heavily in global commodities, there is significant unpredictability and volatility in pricing, costs and global trade volumes. Consequently, we focus on managing the margin we can earn and the resulting IBIT. We also focus on ensuring balance sheet strength through appropriate management of financial liquidity, leverage, capital allocation and cash flow optimization.

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Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and IBIT generally trend lower during the second fiscal quarter and increase in the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Ag segment, our ag retail business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters, respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the spring planting season. Our global grain and processing operations are subject to fluctuations in volumes and revenues based on producer harvests, world grain prices, global demand and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and revenues during the winter heating and fall crop-drying seasons. The graphs below depict the seasonality inherent in our businesses.

Current wording

Seasonality. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and our operating results vary throughout the year. Our revenues and IBIT generally trend lower during the second fiscal quarter and increase in the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Ag segment, our ag retail business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the fall harvest and spring planting seasons, which generally correspond to our first and third fiscal quarters, respectively. Additionally, our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and revenues during the spring planting season. Our global grain and processing operations are subject to fluctuations in volumes and revenues based on producer harvests, world grain prices, global demand and international trade relationships. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and revenues in certain operating areas, such as refined fuel products, in the spring, summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel use by agricultural producers is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, generally experience higher volumes and revenues during the winter heating and fall crop-drying seasons. The graphs below depict the seasonality inherent in our businesses.

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Pricing and Volumes. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices and sales volumes of commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grain, oilseed products and agronomy products. Changes in market prices for commodities we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices and sales volumes are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather, crop damage due to plant disease or insects, drought, availability/adequacy of supply of a commodity, availability of reliable rail and river transportation networks, disease outbreaks, government regulations and policies, global trade disputes, wars and civil unrest, and general political and/or economic conditions.

Current wording

Pricing and Volumes. Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices and sales volumes of commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grain, oilseed products and agronomy products. Changes in market prices for commodities we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Similarly, increased or decreased sales volumes without a corresponding change in the purchase and selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices and sales volumes are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including weather; crop damage due to plant disease or insects; drought; availability/adequacy of supply of a commodity; availability of reliable rail, river, truck and ocean transportation networks; disease outbreaks; government regulations and policies; global trade disputes; wars and civil unrest; and general political and/or economic conditions.

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maintenance at our Laurel, Montana, refinery.

Current wording

•Despite strong volumes, our Energy segment results declined significantly from the prior year. This was driven by decreased Western Canadian Select crude oil discounts, unfavorable crack spreads and expected lower sales of produced, higher-margin refined products as a result of our planned major maintenance at our McPherson, Kansas refinery in the third quarter of fiscal year 2025.

Previous wording

Our segments operate in cyclical environments in which market conditions can change rapidly with significant positive or negative impacts on our results. We anticipate various macroeconomic factors will continue to drive uncertainty and instability in global energy and agricultural commodity markets, as well as global financial markets, which could have a significant impact on each of our segments during fiscal 2025. These factors include, among others, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and further escalation of conflict in the Middle East, shifts in global trade flows for commodities, including global competitiveness giving rise to a weak export market for U.S. sourced agricultural products, potential changes in U.S. trade policy following the U.S. general election in November, a changing interest rate environment, and continued pricing pressures impacting costs of labor, freight and materials. These factors, or any form of them, could cause significant margin pressure and lower profitability. In addition to these broad macroeconomic factors, other factors could impact demand and pricing for agricultural inputs and outputs, as well as our ability to supply those inputs and outputs while remaining profitable. These include regional factors, such as unpredictable weather conditions, including those due to climate change. We currently expect global supply and demand factors impacting energy and agricultural commodities to be less favorable for us in fiscal 2025. Further, in light of increasing uncertainty in the markets we serve, we are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the significance of the financial and operational impacts to us; however, we currently expect the trend of reduced margins for energy and agricultural commodities to persist in fiscal 2025. Refer to Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional consideration these risks may have on our business operations and financial performance.

Current wording

Our segments operate in cyclical environments in which market conditions can change rapidly with significant positive or negative impacts on our results. We anticipate various macroeconomic factors will continue to drive uncertainty and instability in global energy and agricultural commodity markets, as well as global financial markets, which could have a significant impact on each of our segments during fiscal 2026. These factors include, among others, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and further conflict in the Middle East, shifts in global trade flows for commodities, including global competitiveness giving rise to a weak export market for U.S.-sourced agricultural products, potential changes in U.S. trade policy, increased or fluctuating tariffs, a changing interest rate environment, and continued pricing pressures impacting costs of labor, freight and materials. These factors, or any form of them, could cause significant margin pressure and lower profitability. In addition to these broad macroeconomic factors, other factors could impact demand and pricing for agricultural inputs and outputs, as well as our ability to supply those inputs and outputs while remaining profitable. These include regional factors, such as unpredictable weather conditions, including those due to climate change. We currently expect global supply and demand factors impacting energy and agricultural commodities to be unfavorable for us in fiscal 2026. Further, in light of increasing uncertainty in the markets we serve, we are unable to predict how long the current environment will last or the significance of the financial and operational impacts to us; however, we currently expect the trend of reduced margins for energy and agricultural commodities to persist in fiscal 2026. Refer to Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional consideration these risks may have on our business operations and financial performance.

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We will continue to execute our enterprise priorities for fiscal 2025, including pursuing growth through strategic investments and cooperative connections and leveraging our financial strength and resilience as we navigate less favorable market conditions for energy and agricultural commodities.

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We will continue to execute our enterprise priorities for fiscal 2026, including maximizing our platforms through our integrated supply chains and capitalizing on domestic and global opportunities, as we navigate less favorable market conditions for energy and agricultural commodities.

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We are subject to the Renewable Fuel Standard that requires refiners to blend renewable fuels (e.g., ethanol and biodiesel) into their finished transportation fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as renewable identification numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. In June 2023, the EPA issued a final renewable volume obligation ("RVO") for calendar years 2020 through 2025. We generate RINs through our blending activities, but we cannot generate enough RINs to meet the needs of our refining capacity; therefore, RINs must be purchased on the open market. The price of RINs can be volatile, with prices for D6 ethanol RINs and D4 biodiesel RINs decreasing by 57% and 58%, respectively, during fiscal 2024 compared to the prior year, which positively impacted our earnings. Estimates of our RIN expenses are calculated using an average RIN price each month.

Current wording

We are subject to the Renewable Fuel Standard that requires refiners to blend renewable fuels (e.g., ethanol and biodiesel) into their finished transportation fuels or purchase renewable energy credits, known as renewable identification numbers ("RINs"), in lieu of blending. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") generally establishes new annual renewable fuel percentage standards for each compliance year in the preceding year. We generate RINs through our blending activities, but we cannot generate enough RINs to meet the needs of our refining capacity; therefore, RINs must be purchased on the open market. The price of RINs can be volatile, with prices for D6 ethanol RINs and D4 biodiesel RINs increasing by 24% and 29%, respectively, during fiscal 2025, compared to the prior year, which negatively impacted our earnings. Estimates of our RIN expenses are calculated using an average RIN price each month.

Previous wording

In addition to our internal operational reliability, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (i.e., the price differential between refined products and crude oil inputs) and Western Canadian Select ("WCS") crude oil discounts (i.e., the price discount for WCS crude oil relative to West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil), which are driven by supply and demand of refined products. Crack spreads and WCS crude oil discounts both decreased in fiscal 2024, compared to the prior year, contributing to decreased IBIT for the Energy segment. The table below provides information about average market reference prices and differentials that impacted our Energy segment:

Current wording

In addition to our internal operational reliability, the profitability of our Energy segment is largely driven by crack spreads (i.e., the price differential between refined products and crude oil inputs) and Western Canadian Select ("WCS") crude oil discounts (i.e., the price discount for WCS crude oil relative to West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") crude oil), which are driven by supply and demand of refined products. Crack spreads and WCS crude oil discounts both decreased in fiscal 2025, compared to the prior year, contributing to significantly decreased IBIT for the Energy segment. The table below provides information about average market reference prices and differentials that impacted our Energy segment:

Previous wording

*Market source information represents the average month-end price during the period. Group 3 refers to the oil refining and distribution system serving the Midwest markets from the Gulf Coast through the Plains states.

Current wording

*Group 3 refers to the oil refining and distribution system serving the Midwest markets from the Gulf Coast through the Plains states.

Previous wording

Our Ag segment operations work together to facilitate the production, purchase, sale and eventual use of grain and other agricultural commodities within the United States and internationally. Profitability in our Ag segment is largely driven by throughput and production volumes, as well as commodity price spreads; however, revenues and cost of goods sold ("COGS") are largely affected by market-driven commodity prices outside our control. The table below provides information about average market prices for agricultural commodities, as well as sales and throughput volumes that impacted our Ag segment for the years ended August 31, 2024 and 2023:

Current wording

Our Ag segment operations work together to facilitate the production, purchase, sale and eventual use of grain and other agricultural commodities within the United States and internationally. Profitability in our Ag segment is mostly driven by throughput and production volumes, as well as commodity price spreads; however, revenues and cost of goods sold ("COGS") are largely affected by market-driven commodity prices outside our control. The table below provides information about average market prices for agricultural commodities, as well as sales and throughput volumes that impacted our Ag segment for the years ended August 31, 2025 and 2024:

Previous wording

*Amounts less than 0.1% are shown as zero percent. Percentage subtotals may differ due to rounding.

Current wording

*Amounts less than 0.1% are shown as zero percent. Percentage subtotals may not sum due to rounding.

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The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by reportable segment for fiscal 2024. Our Nitrogen Production reportable segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.

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The charts below detail revenues, net of intersegment revenues, and IBIT by segment for fiscal 2025. Our Nitrogen Production segment represents an equity method investment that records earnings and allocated expenses, but not revenues.

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Income Before Income Taxes by Segment

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(Loss) Income Before Income Taxes by Segment

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•Decreased selling prices across all of our Ag segment product categories due to global market conditions during fiscal 2024, including:

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•Decreased selling prices across most of our Ag segment product categories due to global market conditions were experienced during fiscal 2025, including:

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◦$6.0 billion decrease for grain and oilseed;

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◦$2.7 billion decrease for grain and oilseed;

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◦$484.1 million decrease for oilseed processing; and

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◦ $453.5 million decrease for oilseed processing; and

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•Lower costs across all of our Ag segment product categories due to global market conditions during fiscal 2024, including:

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•Decreased costs across most of our Ag segment product categories due to global market conditions were experienced during fiscal 2025, including:

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Interest expense decreased during fiscal 2024 as a result of decreased notes payable balances compared to the prior year, which was partially offset by higher interest rates compared to the prior year.

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Interest expense increased during fiscal 2025, as a result of a higher short-term notes payable balance, along with higher weighted-average interest rates, compared to the prior fiscal year.

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Lower income tax expense during fiscal 2024 resulted primarily from lower nonpatronage income compared to fiscal 2023, recognition of research and development tax credits during fiscal 2024 and increased Domestic Production Activities Deduction ("DPAD") benefit. Effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2024 and 2023, were (0.4)% and 5.4%, respectively. Federal and state statutory rate of 24.5% was applied to nonpatronage business activity for the years ended August 31, 2024 and 2023. Income taxes and effective tax rates vary each year based upon profitability and nonpatronage business activity.

Current wording

Increased income tax expense during fiscal 2025 resulted primarily from lower research and development tax credits, a change in a state law and a fluctuation between taxable and nontaxable patronage income. Effective tax rates for the years ended August 31, 2025 and 2024, were 2.7% and (0.4)%, respectively. Federal and state statutory rates of 24.3% and 24.5% were applied to nonpatronage business activity for the years ended August 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Income taxes and effective tax rates vary each year based on profitability and nonpatronage business activity.

Previous wording

We fund our current operations primarily through our cash flows from operations and with short-term borrowings through our committed and uncommitted revolving credit facilities, including our securitization facility with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Securitization Facility"). We fund certain of our long-term capital needs, primarily those related to acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, with cash flows from operations and by issuing long-term debt. On April 18, 2024, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement to borrow $700.0 million of debt in the form of notes; the funding of these notes took place on July 16, 2024. On October 29, 2024, we amended our 10-year term loan facility reducing the size to $300.0 million and adding a converting revolver feature. See Note 9, Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt, including tables with summarized long-term debt outstanding. We will continue to consider opportunities to further diversify and enhance our sources and amounts of liquidity.

Current wording

We fund our current operations primarily through our cash flows from operations and with short-term borrowings through our committed and uncommitted revolving credit facilities, including our securitization facility with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Securitization Facility"). We fund certain of our long-term capital needs, primarily those related to acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, with cash flows from operations, our revolving term loan facility and by issuing long-term debt. See Note 9, Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our short-term borrowings and long-term debt, including tables with summarized long-term debt outstanding. We will continue to consider opportunities to further diversify and enhance our sources and amounts of liquidity.

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•Capital expenditures. We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 2025 to be approximately $837.3 million, compared to capital expenditures of $808.8 million in fiscal 2024, as we continue to invest in capital expenditures projects to meet the evolving needs of our owners and customers, enhance value for the cooperative system and unlock growth during fiscal 2025. In addition, we expect over $200.0 million of incremental expenditures for potential business acquisitions during fiscal 2025.

Current wording

•Capital expenditures. We expect total capital expenditures for fiscal 2026 to be approximately $575.1 million, compared to capital expenditures of $728.6 million in fiscal 2025, as we continue to invest in capital expenditures projects to meet the evolving needs of our owners and customers and enhance value for the cooperative system during fiscal 2026.

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•Major maintenance. We expect total major maintenance for fiscal 2025 to be approximately $256.9 million, compared to major maintenance of $22.7 million in fiscal 2024. Increased major maintenance expectation for fiscal 2025 is due to a scheduled turnaround at our McPherson refinery during fiscal 2025 compared to minimal turnaround activities at our refineries during fiscal 2024.

Current wording

•Major maintenance. We expect total major maintenance for fiscal 2026 to be approximately $53.3 million, compared to major maintenance of $271.4 million in fiscal 2025. Decreased major maintenance expectation for fiscal 2026 is due to significantly reduced turnaround activities at our refineries compared to the turnaround at our McPherson refinery during fiscal 2025.

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•Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $300.0 million of our fiscal 2024 patronage-sourced earnings to be paid to our member-owners during fiscal 2025.

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•Patronage. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $30.0 million of our fiscal 2025 patronage-sourced earnings to be paid to our member-owners during fiscal 2026.

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•Equity redemptions. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $300.0 million of equity redemptions to be distributed in fiscal 2025 in the form of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer-members and association members. The Board of Directors will continue to periodically evaluate the level of equity redemption activity throughout fiscal 2025 with respect to the amounts it has authorized for redemption during the fiscal year.

Current wording

•Equity redemptions. Our Board of Directors authorized approximately $90.0 million of equity redemptions to be distributed in fiscal 2026 in the form of redemptions of qualified and nonqualified equity owned by individual producer-members and association members. The Board of Directors will continue to periodically evaluate the level of equity redemption activity throughout fiscal 2026 with respect to the amounts it has authorized for redemption during the fiscal year.

Previous wording

We believe cash generated by operating and investing activities, along with available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to support our short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term operations (beyond the next 12 months). Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all our debt covenants and restrictions as of August 31, 2024. Based on our current 2025 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance.

Current wording

We believe cash generated by operating and investing activities, along with available borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will be sufficient to support our short-term (the next 12 months) and long-term (beyond the next 12 months) operations. Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with all our debt covenants and restrictions as of August 31, 2025. Based on our current 2026 projections, we expect continued covenant compliance.

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As of August 31, 2024, working capital increased by $78.5 million compared with August 31, 2023. Current asset balance changes decreased working capital by $419.9 million, primarily driven by a decrease in our cash balance due to a decline in cash provided by operations from year end 2023, which was partially offset by increases in receivables. Current liabilities balance changes increased working capital by $498.4 million, primarily due to a decrease in accounts and notes payable, which were driven by changes in working capital needs and lower commodity prices.

Current wording

As of August 31, 2025, working capital decreased by $504.1 million compared with August 31, 2024. Current asset balance changes decreased working capital by $622.4 million, primarily driven by a lower cash balance due to a decline in cash provided by operations during fiscal year 2025. Current liabilities balance changes increased working capital by $118.3 million, primarily due to a decrease in dividends and equity payable for lower cash patronage and equity redemptions expected to be distributed during fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal year 2025.

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Our estimated future contractual obligations as of August 31, 2024, include both current and long-term obligations. During fiscal 2025, we have a current obligation to repay $330.6 million of long-term debt, as well as $101.7 million of interest related to long-term debt. Beyond fiscal 2025, our long-term debt obligation is $1.8 billion and interest payments related to long-term debt of $747.4 million. For finance leases, we have a current and long-term obligation of $9.0 million and $49.3 million, respectively. For operating leases, we have a current and long-term obligation of $71.3 million and $176.0 million, respectively. See Note 9, Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt, and Note 19, Leases, of the notes to the consolidated financial statements that are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for additional information on our long-term debt and leases, respectively. We enter into purchase obligations that are legally binding and enter into enforceable agreements to purchase goods or services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and fixed or estimated prices to be paid at the time of settlement. Our current and long-term obligation for such arrangements is $4.8 billion and $569.8 million, respectively.

Current wording

(3) Purchase obligations are legally binding and enforceable agreements to purchase goods or services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and fixed or estimated prices to be paid at the time of settlement.

Previous wording

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $2.0 billion decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2024 primarily reflects decreased net income, as well as decreased cash provided by receivables and inventories during fiscal 2024.

Current wording

Cash flows from operating activities can fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of various factors, including seasonality and timing differences associated with purchases, sales, taxes and other business decisions. The $637.1 million decrease in cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2025 primarily reflects decreased net income, as well as decreased cash provided by inventories during fiscal 2025.

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The $481.4 million increase in cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2024 reflects increased investments and higher expenditures for property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.

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The $551.0 million decrease in cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2025 reflects increased proceeds from the sale and maturity of investments and lower expenditures for property, plant and equipment during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.

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The $581.2 million decrease in cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2024 primarily reflects increased net proceeds from long-term debt and decreased cash outflows for patronage paid and equity redemptions during fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023.

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The $583.7 million decrease in cash used in financing activities in fiscal 2025 primarily reflects increased net proceeds from long-term debt and decreased cash outflows for patronage paid and equity redemptions during fiscal 2025 compared to fiscal 2024.

Previous wording

We enter into exchange-traded commodity futures and options contracts to hedge our exposure to price fluctuations on energy, grain and oilseed transactions to the extent considered practicable for minimizing risk. Futures and options contracts used for hedging are purchased and sold through regulated commodity exchanges. We also use over-the-counter instruments to hedge our exposure on fixed-price contracts. Fluctuations in inventory valuations, however, may not be completely hedged due in part to the absence of satisfactory hedging facilities for certain commodities and geographical areas and in part to our assessment of our exposure from expected price fluctuations. We also manage our risks by entering into fixed-price purchase contracts with preapproved producers and establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed-price sales contracts are entered into with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. The fair values of futures and options contracts are determined primarily from quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges. Fixed-price purchase and sales contracts are with various counterparties, and the fair values of such contracts are determined from the market price of the underlying product. We are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the contracts and, therefore, contract values are reviewed and adjusted to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty's financial condition and a risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different from the current market prices.

Current wording

We enter into exchange-traded commodity futures and options contracts to hedge our exposure to price fluctuations on energy, grain and oilseed transactions to the extent considered practicable for minimizing risk. Futures and options contracts used for hedging are purchased and sold through regulated commodity exchanges. We also use over-the-counter instruments to hedge our exposure on fixed-price contracts. Fluctuations in inventory valuations, however, may not be completely hedged due in part to the absence of satisfactory hedging facilities for certain commodities and geographical areas and in part to our assessment of our exposure from expected price fluctuations. We also manage our risks by entering into fixed-price purchase contracts with preapproved producers and establishing appropriate limits for individual suppliers. Fixed-price sales contracts are entered into with customers of acceptable creditworthiness, as internally evaluated. The fair values of futures and options contracts are determined primarily from quotes listed on regulated commodity exchanges. Fixed-price purchase and sales contracts are with various counterparties, and the fair values of such contracts are determined from the market price of the underlying product. We are exposed to loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the contracts and, therefore, contract values are reviewed and adjusted to reflect potential nonperformance. Risk of nonperformance by counterparties includes the inability to perform because of a counterparty's financial condition and a risk that the counterparty will refuse to perform on a contract during periods of price fluctuations where contract prices are significantly different from current market prices.

Previous wording

We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of corresponding lease terms subject to the lessor's discretion for which we have recorded asset retirement obligations. Based on our estimates of the timing, cost and probability of removal, these obligations are not material.

Current wording

We have other assets that we may be obligated to dismantle at the end of the corresponding lease terms subject to the lessor's discretion for which we have recorded an asset retirement obligation. Based on our estimates of the timing, cost and probability of removal, this obligation is not material.