West Central Ag Services member/owners will vote on a proposed merger with CHS Tuesday, November 26. Chair Duane Brendemuhl said meetings were held to review the bids made by CHS and The Arthur Companies. In an interview with the Red River Farm Network, Brendemuhl said the CHS offer is ‘superior’ and is ‘the right fit.’ The CHS patronage program was a part of the decision. “You factor in a price on it on what the patronage would be in the future earnings and that increased it quite a bit,” said Brendemuhl. “There was a certainty of getting the deal done. Also the treatment of the employees, every employee is guaranteed for a year with the CHS and there was no plan on the Arthur side.” After The Arthur Companies announced its bid, CHS increased its purchase price from $200 million to $225 million. A two-thirds majority of the members attending the November 26 meeting is needed to approve the CHS proposal. If approved, the CHS merger would take effect next month.
