ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA, U.S. — CHS Hedging Inc., the full-service commodity brokerage subsidiary of CHS Inc., announced on July 15 that it has become a clearing member of the CME, trading legacy commodities under the CME's "Grain and Oilseed" agricultural products group. 

Clearing members take full responsibility for all financial and performance obligations on behalf of their customer trading activity. CHS Hedging has been long-time clearing members of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) and, until its recent acquisition by the CME, the Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBT).

"Our customers have always looked to us as the responsible party for their trading, regardless of the exchange," said Scott Cordes, president, CHS Hedging. "This doesn't change that. Rather, it strengthens our relationship with the CME and gives our company a seat at the table for decisions that ultimately affect our customers, such as margin policies. We can be their voice on the exchange." 

CHS Hedging customers may notice minor changes in their day-to-day trading execution process, but the change to real-time reporting on most activity will be the significant benefit to those closely tracking the grain exchanges.

"Because we are a co-op, our customers are also our owners," said Cordes. "That means every business decision we make is based on our owners' best interests. There's never been a more important time for us to secure this kind of position – one of direct accountability and transparency – on behalf of our customers."