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State Alleges Late Payments 08/06 15:00
Nebraska PSC Seeks Revocation of The Andersons' Grain Dealer License
Nebraska's Public Service Commission filed a complaint against The Andersons
for failing to pay a grain producer for 17 grain loads.
Todd Neeley
DTN Environmental Editor
LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Maumee, Ohio-based The Andersons Inc. could lose its
grain dealer's license in Nebraska after the Nebraska Public Service Commission
filed a complaint Thursday alleging the company failed to make timely payments
to a Nebraska grain producer, the commission said in a news release.
On March 2, 2026, the commission's grain warehouses and dealers department
initiated an investigation based on an informal complaint from an unnamed grain
producer who said they were not being paid for grain deliveries.
"The investigation revealed that respondent had received 17 loads of grain
from the producer between November 2023 and January 2024, a portion of which
remains unpaid," the complaint said.
"Based on the failure of respondent to make payment on demand, civil
penalties should be assessed against respondent, respondent's license should be
revoked and respondent should be ordered to cease and desist operations in
Nebraska."
Although the complaint suggests that the company could lose its grain
dealer's license and could be ordered to "cease and desist operations in
Nebraska," Jason McFarley, public information and education officer at the PSC
told DTN that most of these cases are resolved without the commission revoking
a license.DTN reached out to The Andersons for comment.
The Andersons operates about 180 facilities across the U.S. and Canada, and
focuses on commodity merchandising of corn, soybeans, wheat and feed
ingredients. In addition, the company operates four ethanol plants in Michigan,
Indiana, Ohio and Iowa with a combined production capacity of 500 million
gallons.
The department issued a formal request for information on June 25, 2026,
asking The Andersons to provide a written response by July 16, 2026. The agency
granted an extension to July 27, 2026, according to the complaint.
"On July 27, 2026, respondent submitted its response, stating that one
reason for nonpayment was an inability to verify title to the grain through its
records," the complaint said.
"Following receipt, the department and respondent engaged in informal
discussions to clarify respondent's basis for nonpayment. Upon conclusion of
those discussions, the department directed respondent to contact the producer
and attempt to resolve the allegations regarding unpaid grain deliveries by
Aug. 5, 2026."
The Andersons then contacted the agency and reported the allegations were
resolved and payment was arranged for all grain deliveries in question.
The PSC alleges in the complaint that The Andersons violated Nebraska law by
failing to maintain accurate, complete, or current records and by failing to
make payment on demand related to the 17 loads in question.
Beginning on Jan. 8, 2024, and ending on Dec. 9, 2025, the complaint alleges
The Andersons failed to make payment on demand for nine loads delivered on Nov.
30, 2023, and Jan. 8, 2024, for a total of 701 days.
The PSC also alleges the company failed to make payment on demand for eight
loads delivered on Nov. 2, 2023, for a total of 939 days.
The Andersons will be allowed to show cause as to why its license should not
be revoked and a hearing is expected to be scheduled.
The company is licensed by the state's PSC as a grain dealer, which allows
it to buy, sell and broker grain in Nebraska.
The PSC said in a news release that while the complaint stems from a single
report that has been resolved, the agency is "encouraging any other Nebraska
grain producers or sellers who have experienced similar payment delays
involving The Andersons or other grain dealers" to come forward.
"Our priority is protecting Nebraska's grain producers and ensuring buyers
meet their obligations under state law," said Terri Fritz, grain department
director.
"If producers are not being paid in a timely manner, we want to hear from
them. Information from other sellers will help us determine whether this is an
isolated incident or part of a broader pattern."
Nebraska grain producers or sellers who believe they have experienced
delayed payment from The Andersons or other grain dealers are encouraged to
contact the PSC at 402-471-0222 or by sending an email to
psc.grain@nebraska.gov.
Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com
Follow him on social platform X @DTNeeley
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