CHS finished the first quarter with net income of $244.8 million. That compares to $523 million in the same quarter last year. The earnings for the agriculture division declined, hurt by soft oilseed crush margins. Lower natural gas costs offset lower prices for urea. Despite strong sales, earnings in the CHS energy segment declined. CHS President and CEO Jay Debertin said the energy industry and the farm economy are weak at the same time. CHS closed on its purchase of West Central Ag Services at the beginning of the month for $225 million.
