North Dakota Seeks to Recover $778K Surety Bond for Grain Sellers in Hansen-Mueller Case

The surety bond amount would be used to pay farmers and grain sellers who were not paid for grain sold to the company under standard contracts.

The state’s indemnity fund that is owned and operated by the North Dakota State Treasury, is available to reimburse someone who sold grain to a licensee under a credit-sale contract who was not fully compensated under such a contract.

Assessments to the state’s indemnity fund stop when the fund hits $6 million and restart if it drops below $3 million. According to the state, indemnity fund coverage is limited to 80% of a farmer’s unpaid credit-sale contract, up to a maximum payout of $280,000 per insolvency.

North Dakota is the second state to file such a motion, following the Nebraska Public Service Commission.

Also, this week, the Nebraska PSC asked the bankruptcy court for an extension of the Dec. 29, 2025, deadline to notify creditors of its plan to pay farmers in the state using funds from a $1 million surety bond.

Because of the Christmas holiday, the Nebraska PSC said it will be unable to meet the deadline and asked for an extension to Jan. 5, 2026.

Under the Nebraska Grain Dealer Act, dealers are required to post surety bonds to obtain licenses. If payment terms are violated by the company, the Nebraska Public Service Commission can forfeit the bond and distribute it to valid claimants.

Read more on DTN:

“Nebraska to Use $1M Hansen-Mueller Bond,” https://www.dtnpf.com/….

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

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