SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	9 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)	Jun. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting	The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements (the "consolidated financial statements") have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted as permitted by such rules and regulations. These financial statements and related notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended September 30, 2023, contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K. Basis of Accounting The Company prepared the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP"). The consolidated financial statements include the operations, assets and liabilities of the Company. In the opinion of the Company's management, the accompanying consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary to fairly present the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cardinal Ethanol, LLC and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Cardinal Ethanol Export Sales, Inc., Cardinal One Carbon Holdings, LLC, and Cardinal Colwich, LLC ("Cardinal Colwich"), (collectively, the Company). Cardinal Ethanol Export Sales, Inc. is an Interest Charge Domestic to International Sales Company ("IC-DISC") designed to take advantage of certain tax incentives for export sales to other countries. Cardinal One Carbon Holdings, LLC was formed to hold the partnership interest for the investigation and pursuit of carbon dioxide capture and sequestration. Cardinal Colwich was formed to purchase the assets of the Kansas Plant. Subsequent to the purchase, the Kansas Plant was brought online and is now operational. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Reportable Segments	Reportable Segments Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280, “Segment Reporting,” establishes the standards for reporting information about segments in financial statements. Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that are evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. Based on the related business nature and expected financial results criteria set forth in ASC 280, the Company has two reportable operating segments for financial reporting purposes. •Ethanol Division. Based on the nature of the products and production process and the expected financial results, the Company’s operations at its ethanol plants, including the production and sale of ethanol and its co-products, are aggregated into one financial reporting segment. •Trading Division. The Company has a grain loading facility within the Company's Union City, Indiana site to buy, hold and sell inventories of agricultural grains, primarily soybeans. The Company performs no additional processing of these grains, unlike the corn inventory the Company holds and uses in ethanol production. The activities of buying, selling and holding of grains other than for ethanol and co-product production comprise this financial reporting segment.
Accounting Estimates	Accounting Estimates Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing these consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. The Ethanol Division uses estimates and assumptions in accounting for the following significant matters, among others; the useful lives of fixed assets, valuation of inventories, the assumptions used in the analysis of the impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for credit losses, railcar rehabilitation costs, asset purchase price allocation, and inventory purchase commitments. The Trading Division uses estimates and assumptions in accounting for the following significant matters, among others; the useful lives of fixed assets, allowance for credit losses, the valuation of inventory purchase and sale commitment derivatives and inventory at market. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company periodically reviews estimates and assumptions, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period in which the revision is made. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash	Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company maintains its accounts primarily at three financial institutions. At times throughout the year the Company's cash balances may exceed amounts insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Cash equivalents represent money market funds or short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase, except for those amounts that are held in the investment portfolio for long-term investment. There were no cash equivalents at June 30, 2024. At September 30, 2023, cash equivalents were approximately $33,229,000 and consisted of investments in treasury bills. Restricted Cash As a part of its commodities hedging activities, the Company is required to maintain cash balances with its commodities trading companies for initial and maintenance margins on a per futures contract basis. Changes in the market value of contracts may increase these requirements. As the futures contracts expire, the margin requirements also expire. Accordingly, the Company records the cash maintained with the traders in the margin accounts as restricted cash. Since this cash is immediately available upon request when there is a margin excess, the Company considers this restricted cash to be a current asset.
Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities and Investments	Investments in Available-for-Sale Debt Securities The Company holds funds in short-term investments in debt securities, such as U.S. treasury bills or treasury notes. As some of the investments in debt securities have an original maturity date greater than three months, these investments are classified as available-for-sale. The Company holds these short-term investments until maturity or for sale in the event cash is needed. Unrealized gains and losses on the Company's investments classified as available-for-sale are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until realized. Investments Investments consist of the capital stock and patron equities of the Company's distillers grains marketer. The investment is stated at the lower of cost or fair value and adjusted for non-cash patronage equities and cash equity redemptions received. Non-cash patronage dividends are recognized when received and included within revenue in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company has also created certain subsidiaries to achieve some of its varying business interests that are not directly related to ethanol production or trading of grain. One has been formed as a corporation, while the other has been formed as a limited liability company (LLC) to hold interests in affiliated companies for carbon capture and underground sequestration (CCS). Through its LLC, the Company owns a fifty percent interest in a joint venture which is accounted for as an equity method investment as described in detail in Note 12 - Equity Method Investments.
Trade Accounts Receivable	Trade Accounts Receivable Credit terms are extended to customers in the normal course of business. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and, generally, requires no collateral. The Company maintains an allowance for credit losses for accounts receivable, which is recorded as an offset to accounts receivable, and changes in such are included as a component of operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company assesses collectibility by reviewing accounts receivable on a collective basis where similar characteristics exist and on an individual basis when the Company identifies specific customers with known disputes or collectibility issues. In determining the amount of the allowance for credit losses, the Company considers historical collectibility based on past due status and make judgments about the creditworthiness of customers based on ongoing credit evaluations. The Company also considers customer-specific information, current market conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts of future economic conditions. At June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023, the Company determined that an allowance for credit losses was not necessary.
Inventories	Inventories Ethanol Division (see Reportable Segments) inventories consist of raw materials, work in process, finished goods and spare parts. Corn is the primary raw material. Finished goods consist of ethanol, dried distiller grains, CFP, and corn oil. Inventories are stated at the lower of weighted average cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the normal course of business, less reasonably predictable selling costs. Trading Division (see Reportable Segments) inventories consist of grain. Soybeans were the only grains held and traded at June 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023. These inventories are stated at market value less estimated selling costs, which may include reductions for quality.
Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over estimated useful lives by use of the straight-line depreciation method. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred; major improvements and betterments are capitalized. Construction in progress expenditures will be depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives once the assets are placed into service.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, and financing costs, subject to depreciation and amortization, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. If circumstances require a long-lived asset be tested for possible impairment, the Company first compares undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by an asset to the carrying value of the asset. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying value exceeds its fair value. Fair value is determined through various valuation techniques including discounted cash flow models, quoted market values and third-party independent appraisals, as considered necessary.
Passthrough Entity Tax	Passthrough Entity Tax The Company records Indiana passthrough entity tax in accordance with ASC 740 and has elected to account for the payments as an equity transaction through member distributions. At June 30, 2024, accrued distributions for Indiana passthrough entity tax was $700,000 as compared to $2,100,000 at September 30, 2023. The Company paid approximately $2,050,000 for 2023 taxes during the nine months ended June 30, 2024 and paid approximately $2,300,000 for 2022 taxes during the nine months ended June 30, 2023.
Economic Development Fund	Economic Development Fund In September 2007, the Company entered into a development agreement with Randolph County Redevelopment Commission (“the Commission”) to promote economic development in the area. Under the terms of this agreement, beginning in January 2008 through December 2028, the money paid towards property tax is allocated to an expense and an acquisition account. The funds in the acquisition account can be used by the Commission to purchase equipment, at the Company's direction, for the Union City, Indiana plant (the "Indiana Plant"). The Company does not have title to or control over the funds in the acquisition account. On February 14, 2023, the Company received $2,950,000 from the Commission. The Company has elected to account for this transaction under the International Accounting Standard (IAS) No. 20 Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosure of Government Assistance as U.S. GAAP does not contain explicit guidance. The Company reported this transaction in the consolidated statement of cash flows as proceeds from the economic development fund, and in the consolidated balance sheet as a reduction of payments for construction in progress.
Deferred Financing Costs	Deferred Financing Costs Deferred financing costs are presented as a reduction to the debt and amortized as interest expense over the term of the underlying debt agreement by use of the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are fully amortized to interest expense when debt is retired before maturity.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized upon transfer of control of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company's contracts primarily consist of agreements with marketing companies and other customers as described below. The Company's performance obligations consist of the delivery of ethanol, distillers grains, CFP, corn oil, soybeans and carbon dioxide to its customers. The consideration the Company receives for these products is fixed based on current observable market prices at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, generally, and adjusted for local market differentials. The Company's contracts have specific delivery modes, rail or truck, and dates. Revenue is recognized when the Company delivers the products to the mode of transportation specified in the contract, at the transaction price established in the contract, net of commissions, fees, and freight. The Company sells each of the products via different marketing channels as described below. •Ethanol. The Company sells its ethanol via a marketing agreement with Murex, LLC. Murex markets one hundred percent of the Company's ethanol production based on agreements with end users at prices agreed upon mutually among the end user, Murex and the Company. Murex then provides a schedule of deliveries required and an order for each rail car or tankers needed to fulfill their commitment with the end user. These are individual performance obligations of the Company. The marketing agreement calls for control and title to pass when the delivery vehicle is filled. Revenue is recognized then at the price in the agreement with the end user, net of commissions, freight, and insurance. •Distillers grains. The Company engages another third-party marketing company, CHS, Inc, to market one hundred percent of the distillers grains it produces at the plants. The process for selling the distillers grains is like that of ethanol, except that CHS takes title and control once a rail car is released to the railroad or a truck is released from the Company's scales. Prices are agreed upon among the three parties, and CHS provides schedules and orders representing performance obligations. Revenue is recognized net of commissions, freight, and fees. •Corn fermented protein. The Company also engages CHS, Inc. to market one hundred percent of the CFP it produces at the plants. The process for selling the CFP is like that of dried distillers grains. •Distillers corn oil (corn oil). The Company sells its production of corn oil directly to commercial customers. The customer is provided with a delivery schedule and pick up orders representing performance obligations. These are fulfilled when the customer’s driver picks up the scheduled load. The price is agreed upon at the time each contract is made, and the Company recognizes revenue at the time of delivery at that price. •Carbon dioxide. The Company sells a portion of the carbon dioxide it produces at the Indiana Plant to a customer that maintains a plant on-site for a set price per ton. Delivery is defined as transference of the gas from the Indiana Plant's stream to their plant. •Soybeans and other grains. The Indiana Plant sells soybeans exclusively to commercial mills, processors or grain traders. Contracts are negotiated directly with the parties at prices based on negotiated prices. Cost of Goods Sold Cost of goods sold include corn, trading division grains, natural gas and other components which includes processing ingredients, electricity, railcar lease, railcar maintenance, depreciation of ethanol production fixed assets and wages, salaries and benefits of production personnel. Payment Terms The Company has contractual payment terms with each respective marketer that sells ethanol and distillers grains. These terms are generally 7 - 14 days after the week of the transfer of control. The Company has standard payment terms of net 10 days for its sale for corn oil. The Company has standard payments terms due upon delivery for its sale of soybeans. The contractual terms with the carbon dioxide customer calls for an annual settlement. Shipping and Handling Costs Shipping and handling costs related to contracts with customers for sale of goods are accounted for as a fulfillment activity and are included in cost of goods sold. Accordingly, amounts billed to customers for such costs are included as a component of revenue. Contract Liabilities The Company records unearned revenue when consideration is received, or such consideration is unconditionally due, from a customer prior to transferring goods or services to the customer under the terms of its contracts with customers. The Company recorded advances from customers for approximately $311,000 at June 30, 2024. There were no advances from customers as of September 30, 2023.
Operating Expenses	Operating Expenses Operating expenses include wages, salaries and benefits of administrative employees at the plants, insurance, professional fees, depreciation of trading division fixed assets, property taxes and similar costs.
Derivative Instruments	Derivative Instruments From time to time the Company enters into derivative transactions to hedge its exposures to commodity price fluctuations. The Company is required to record these derivatives in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. In order for a derivative to qualify as a hedge, specific criteria must be met and appropriate documentation maintained. Gains and losses from derivatives that do not qualify as hedges, or are undesignated, must be recognized immediately in earnings. If the derivative does qualify as a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative will be either offset against the change in fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities, or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in other comprehensive income until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. Changes in the fair value of undesignated derivatives are recorded in the consolidated statement of operations, depending on the item being hedged. Additionally, the Company is required to evaluate its contracts to determine whether the contracts are derivatives. Certain contracts that literally meet the definition of a derivative may be exempted as “normal purchases or normal sales”. Normal purchases and normal sales are contracts that provide for the purchase or sale of something other than a financial instrument or derivative instrument that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Contracts that meet the requirements of normal purchases or sales are documented as normal and exempted from accounting and reporting requirements, and therefore, are not marked to market in the consolidated financial statements. The Company has elected for its Ethanol Division to apply the normal purchase normal sale exemption to all forward commodity contracts. For the Trading Division, the Company has elected not to apply the normal purchase normal sale exemption to its forward purchase and sales contracts and therefore, marks these derivative instruments to market.
Net Income (Loss) per Unit	Net Income (Loss) per Unit Basic net income (loss) per unit is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of members' units outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per unit is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of members' units and members' unit equivalents outstanding during the period. There were no member unit equivalents outstanding during the periods presented; accordingly, the Company's basic and diluted net income (loss) per unit are the same.

Cardinal Ethanol LLC 10-Q