Hansen-Mueller Pays Nebraska Farmers

This article was originally posted at 11:30 a.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 4. It was last updated with additional information at 12:37 p.m. CST on Tuesday, Nov. 4.

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LINCOLN, Neb. (DTN) -- Omaha-based Hansen-Mueller Co. has paid 38 Nebraska farmers about $2.1 million, under an agreement reached with the Nebraska Public Service Commission near the end of last week.

As part of an agreement approved by the commission on Nov. 4, 2025, the PSC has withdrawn its complaint that included an order suspending the company's grain dealer license.

Terri Fritz, director of the Nebraska Grain Warehouse and Dealer Department at the PSC, told commissioners on Tuesday that Hansen-Mueller has agreed to several stipulations to maintain its dealer license.

Those stipulations require the company to provide documentation as payments are made to producers and elevators, including making sure checks clear the bank.

"We also are going to be requesting their balance sheets, their financial balance sheets on a monthly basis," Fritz told the commission.

"So, this will continue clear through as per the stipulated agreement; they have until the end of February to make sure that all of our warehouses that were affected and grain dealers are also paid within that time period. So, they'll need to report as those payments are made so that we can determine that they've met all conditions in the stipulated agreement."

In addition, Hansen-Mueller operates elevators and merchandising offices in Council Bluffs, Iowa; Duluth, Minnesota; Houston, Texas; Salina and Kansas City, Kansas; Kansas City, Missouri; Sioux City, Iowa; Superior, Wisconsin; Tallulah, Louisiana; a merchandising office in Alabaster, Alabama; as well as a processing mill in Toledo, Ohio.

The Nebraska PSC's action has no bearing on similar situations in other states.

"So, all the producers in Nebraska that were doing business, and I'm talking grain-dealer business, they have been paid," Fritz said. "So, as far as going forward with the stipulated agreement would be the payments to our warehouses and other grain dealers. It's not part of the grain dealer as such, but it's part of the stipulated agreement."

As DTN reported last week, farmers in Alabama, Texas and potentially other states had not been paid by Hansen-Mueller.

As part of the agreement with the Nebraska PSC, Hansen-Mueller was required to provide the department evidence of a "valid and active" line of credit and to provide documentation on the first of each month for three consecutive months starting on Dec. 1, 2025, and ending on Feb. 1, 2026.

Hansen-Mueller submitted evidence to the commission on Oct. 30, 2025, that it has a valid line of credit. On Oct. 31, 2025, the company submitted a preliminary balance sheet dated Sept. 30, 2025.

"Respondent hereby stipulates that, in lieu of the assessment of civil penalties, it will pay all Nebraska-based entities for any outstanding grain purchase obligations upon demand," the agreement said, "and that all obligations shall be paid in full no later than Feb. 27, 2026."

The agreement would become void if Hansen-Mueller doesn't meet all the requirements.

The agreement does not apply to some producers and sellers, including those who negotiated deferred payment or "price later" contracts with Hansen-Mueller, according to the Nebraska PSC.

According to a news release from the PSC, Hansen-Mueller began issuing some outstanding payments electronically and via mailed checks the week of Oct. 27.

"Our decision today balances the public interest with the opportunity for Hansen-Mueller to correct previous concerns," Nebraska PSC Chairman Tim Schram said in a statement.

"Our top priority was making sure these debts were paid during this crucial time in the harvest season, and we're pleased that the company has already begun issuing the outstanding funds."

Producers who have not received their expected payment from Hansen-Mueller within the next two weeks are asked to contact the grain department at 402-471-0222 or psc.grain@nebraska.gov.

Read more on DTN:

"Hansen-Mueller Leaves Farms in Limbo," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

"Grain Dealer Fails to Pay Nebraska Farmers," https://www.dtnpf.com/…

Todd Neeley can be reached at todd.neeley@dtn.com

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