Green Plains (GPRE) 10-K 10 Feb 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Billions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 05, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-K
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Period End Date	31-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Entity Registrant Name	Green Plains Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1309402
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		37,608,982
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Public Float			$1.10
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Trading Symbol	gpre

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$425,510	$272,027
Restricted cash	29,742	26,994
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $1,231 and $308, respectively	138,073	106,808
Inventories	254,967	158,328
Prepaid expenses and other	18,776	12,893
Deferred income taxes	7,495	7,619
Derivative financial instruments	36,347	48,636
Total current assets	910,910	633,305
Property and equipment, net	825,210	806,046
Goodwill	40,877	40,877
Other assets	51,560	51,817
Total assets	1,828,557	1,532,045
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	170,199	112,001
Accrued and other liabilities	61,118	37,949
Income taxes payable	2,907	696
Unearned revenue	3,965	4,118
Short-term notes payable and other borrowings	209,886	171,500
Current maturities of long-term debt	63,465	82,933
Total current liabilities	511,540	409,197
Long-term debt	399,440	480,746
Deferred income taxes	115,235	91,294
Other liabilities	4,893	5,450
Total liabilities	1,031,108	986,687
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 75,000,000 shares authorized; 44,808,982 and 37,703,946 shares issued, and 37,608,982 and 30,503,946 shares outstanding, respectively	45	38
Additional paid-in capital	569,431	468,962
Retained earnings	299,101	148,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,320	-6,339
Treasury stock, 7,200,000 shares	-65,808	-65,808
Total stockholders' equity	797,449	545,358
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$1,828,557	$1,532,045

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$1,231	$308
Common stock, par value	$0.00	$0.00
Common stock, shares authorized	75,000,000	75,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	44,808,982	37,703,946
Common stock, shares outstanding	37,608,982	30,503,946
Treasury stock, shares	7,200,000	7,200,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Ope

Consolidated Statements Of Operations (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Operations [Abstract]
Revenues	$3,235,611	$3,041,011	$3,476,870
Cost of goods sold	2,860,813	2,867,991	3,380,099
Gross profit	374,798	173,020	96,771
Selling, general and administrative expenses	-88,524	-65,169	-79,019
Gain on disposal of assets			47,133
Operating income	286,274	107,851	64,885
Other income (expense)
Interest income	635	294	191
Interest expense	-39,908	-33,357	-37,521
Other, net	3,429	-2,507	-2,399
Total other income (expense)	-35,844	-35,570	-39,729
Income before income taxes	250,430	72,281	25,156
Income tax expense	90,926	28,890	13,393
Net income	159,504	43,391	11,763
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			16
Net income attributable to Green Plains	$159,504	$43,391	$11,779
Earnings per share:
Income attributable to Green Plains stockholders - basic	$4.37	$1.44	$0.39
Income attributable to Green Plains stockholders - diluted	$3.96	$1.26	$0.39
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic	36,467	30,183	30,296
Diluted	40,730	38,304	30,463

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$159,504	$43,391	$11,763
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives arising during period, net of tax (expense) benefit of $138,874, $53,068 and $(19,013), respectively	-160,810	-85,521	30,986
Reclassification of realized (gains) losses on derivatives, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(139,754), $(46,941) and $15,032, respectively	161,829	75,647	-24,498
Other comprehensive income (loss)	1,019	-9,874	6,488
Comprehensive Income	160,523	33,517	18,251
Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests			16
Comprehensive income attributable to Green Plains	$160,523	$33,517	$18,267

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Com1

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Income tax (expense) benefit on unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives	$138,874	$53,068	($19,013)
Income tax expense (benefit) on reclassification of realized (gains) losses on derivatives	($139,754)	($46,941)	$15,032

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Sto

Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accum. Other Comp. Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Green Plains Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$36	$440,469	$95,761	($2,953)	($28,201)	$505,112	$245	$505,357
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	36,414,000				3,500,000
Net income			11,779			11,779	-16	11,763
Other comprehensive income (loss)				6,488		6,488		6,488
Repurchase of common stock					-37,607	-37,607		-37,607
Repurchase of common stock, shares					3,700,000
Stock-based compensation	1	4,290				4,291		4,291
Stock-based compensation, Shares	421,000
Stock options exercised		452				452		452
Stock options exercised, Shares	69,000
Other		-13				-13	-229	-242
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	37	445,198	107,540	3,535	-65,808	490,502		490,502
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	36,904,000				7,200,000
Net income			43,391			43,391		43,391
Cash dividends declared			-2,426			-2,426		-2,426
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification				-85,521
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				75,647
Other comprehensive income (loss)				-9,874		-9,874		-9,874
Stock-based compensation	1	4,703				4,704		4,704
Stock-based compensation, Shares	419,000
Stock options exercised		4,498				4,498		4,498
Stock options exercised, Shares	381,000
Issuance of 3.25% notes due 2018, net of tax		14,563				14,563		14,563
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2013	38	468,962	148,505	-6,339	-65,808	545,358		545,358
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2013	37,704,000				7,200,000
Net income			159,504			159,504		159,504
Cash dividends declared			-8,908			-8,908		-8,908
Other comprehensive loss before reclassification				-160,810
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss				161,829
Other comprehensive income (loss)				1,019		1,019		1,019
Repurchase of common stock, shares								7,200,000
Stock-based compensation		5,729				5,729		5,729
Stock-based compensation, Shares	302,000
Stock options exercised		4,404				4,404		4,404
Stock options exercised, Shares	270,000							270,500
Conversion of 5.75% Notes	7	90,336				90,343		90,343
Conversion of 5.75% Notes, shares	6,533,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2014	$45	$569,431	$299,101	($5,320)	($65,808)	$797,449		$797,449
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2014	44,809,000				7,200,000

Consolidated_Statements_Of_Cas

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$159,504	$43,391	$11,763
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	60,362	51,002	52,828
Amortization of debt issuance costs and debt discount	8,766	4,827	3,199
Gain on disposal of assets			-47,133
Gain on disposal of assets	-4,658
Deferred income taxes	23,537	27,493	10,704
Stock-based compensation	3,440	3,928	4,291
Undistributed equity in loss of affiliates	4,129	2,507	2,398
Other	923	89	-894
Changes in operating assets and liabilities before effects of business combinations and dispositions:
Accounts receivable	-28,145	-25,448	7,538
Inventories	-90,910	22,759	-63,739
Derivative financial instruments	14,184	-44,746	2,594
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-5,391	-445	-671
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	73,023	22,061	13,074
Income taxes payable	4,417	-1,497	1,971
Unearned revenues	-417	182	-10,295
Other	-1,214	1,233	-1,352
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	221,550	107,336	-13,724
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-59,547	-19,764	-26,776
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	-23,900	-123,301	-1,490
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net	9,258	245	117,711
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries	4,406	4,764	7,998
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-78,595	-147,584	81,447
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	542,692	343,799	73,100
Payments of principal on long-term debt	-557,850	-303,495	-120,153
Proceeds from short-term borrowings	3,708,896	3,348,510	3,324,523
Payments on short-term borrowings	-3,670,529	-3,321,556	-3,249,371
Payments for repurchase of common stock			-10,445
Change in restricted cash	-547	-1,298	-6,196
Payment of cash dividends	-8,908	-2,426
Payments of loan fees	-7,630	-10,046	-332
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants	4,404	4,498	452
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	10,528	57,986	11,578
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	153,483	17,738	79,301
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	272,027	254,289	174,988
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	425,510	272,027	254,289
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow:
Cash paid for income taxes	61,817	2,667	737
Cash paid for interest	38,244	30,633	33,276
Supplemental noncash investing and financing activities:
Assets acquired in acquisitions and mergers	25,611	136,934	1,590
Less: liabilities assumed	-1,711	-13,633	-100
Purchase Price	23,900	123,301	1,490
Assets disposed of in sale			191,167
Less: liabilities disposed			-120,589
Net assets disposed			70,578
Value of common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% notes	89,950
Short-term note payable issued to repurchase common stock			$27,162

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Desc

Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business [Abstract]
Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business	GREEN PLAINS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
	NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
	1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION and DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
	References to the Company
	References to “Green Plains” or the “Company” in the consolidated financial statements and in these notes to the consolidated financial statements refer to Green Plains Inc., an Iowa corporation, and its subsidiaries.
	Consolidated Financial Statements
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on a consolidated basis for reporting purposes. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity basis.
	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances. The Company regularly evaluates the appropriateness of estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Key accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to revenue recognition, depreciation of property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, derivative financial instruments, and accounting for income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.
	Description of Business
	The Company operates its business within four segments: (1) production of ethanol and distillers grains, collectively referred to as ethanol production, (2) corn oil production, (3) grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations, collectively referred to as agribusiness, and (4) marketing, merchant trading and logistics services for Company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities, and the operation of fuel terminals, collectively referred to as marketing and distribution. The Company also is a partner in a joint venture to commercialize advanced technologies for the growing and harvesting of algal biomass.
	Ethanol Production Segment
	Green Plains is North America’s fourth largest ethanol producer. The Company operates twelve ethanol plants, which have the capacity to produce approximately one billion gallons of ethanol per year through separate wholly-owned operating subsidiaries. The Company’s ethanol plants also produce co-products such as wet, modified wet or dried distillers grains, as well as corn oil which is reported in a separate segment. The Company’s plants use a dry mill process to produce ethanol and co-products. At capacity, the Company’s plants consume approximately 360 million bushels of corn and produce approximately 2.9 million tons of distillers grains annually.
	Corn Oil Production Segment
	The Company produces corn oil at its ethanol plants within the corn oil production segment, which have the capacity to produce approximately 250 million pounds annually. The corn oil systems are designed to extract non-edible corn oil from the whole stillage immediately prior to production of distillers grains.
	Agribusiness Segment
	The Company owns and operates grain handling and storage assets through its agribusiness segment, which has grain storage capacity of approximately 42.2 million bushels, with 29.4 million bushels of storage capacity at the Company’s ethanol plants, 9.0 million bushels of total storage capacity at its four separate grain elevators and 3.8 million bushels of storage capacity at its cattle-feeding operation. The Company owns a feedlot with the capacity to support 70,000 head of cattle. The Company’s agribusiness operations provide synergies with the ethanol production segment as it supplies a portion of the feedstock and utilizes a portion of the distillers grains output of the Company’s ethanol plants.
	Marketing and Distribution Segment
	The Company has an in-house marketing business that is responsible for the sale, marketing and distribution of all ethanol, distillers grains and corn oil produced at its ethanol plants as well as logistical services for ethanol and other commodities for a third-party producer. The Company also purchases and sells ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil, grain, natural gas and other commodities and participates in other merchant trading activities in various markets. The Company operates fuel terminals at eight locations in seven south central U.S. states with approximately 822 million gallons per year, or mmgy, of total throughput capacity.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	2.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT accounting POLICIES
	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	The Company considers short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include bank deposits. The Company also has restricted cash which is comprised of cash restricted as to use for payment towards a revolving credit agreement.
	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are satisfied: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.
	For sales of ethanol, distillers grains and other commodities by the Company’s marketing business, revenue is recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to an external customer. Revenues related to marketing operations for third parties are recorded on a gross basis as the Company takes title to the product and assumes risk of loss. Unearned revenue is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets for goods in transit for which the Company has received payment and title has not been transferred to the customer. Revenues from the Company’s fuel terminal operations, which include ethanol transload services, are recognized when these services are completed.
	The Company routinely enters into fixed-price, physical-delivery ethanol sales agreements. In certain instances, the Company intends to settle the transaction by open market purchases of ethanol rather than by delivery from its own production. These transactions are reported net as a component of revenues. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Sales of agricultural commodities, including cattle, are recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to the customer, which is dependent on the agreed upon sales terms with the customer. These sales terms provide for passage of title either at the time shipment is made or at the time the commodity has been delivered to its destination and final weights, grades and settlement prices have been agreed upon with the customer. Revenues related to grain merchandising are presented gross in the statements of operations with amounts billed for shipping and handling included in revenues and also as a component of cost of goods sold. Revenues from grain storage are recognized as services are rendered.
	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold includes costs for direct labor, materials and certain plant overhead costs. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in the operation of the Company’s ethanol plants. Grain purchasing and receiving costs, other than labor costs for grain buyers and scale operators, are also included in cost of goods sold. Direct materials consist of the costs of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include unrealized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs. Corn feedstock costs also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Plant overhead costs primarily consist of plant utilities, plant depreciation and outbound freight charges. Shipping costs incurred directly by the Company, including railcar lease costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold.
	The Company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts to minimize the effects of changes in the prices of agricultural commodities on its agribusiness segment’s grain and cattle inventories and forward purchase and sales contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices. These contracts are predominantly settled in cash. The Company is exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to forward purchase and forward sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale, forward purchase contracts and forward sale contracts in the agribusiness segment are valued at market prices, where available, or other market quotes adjusted for differences, primarily transportation, between the exchange-traded market and the local markets on which the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the fair value of grain inventories held for sale, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts in the agribusiness segment, are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold.
	Derivative Financial Instruments
	To minimize the risk and the effects of the volatility of commodity price changes primarily related to corn, ethanol, cattle and natural gas, the Company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures, and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts. The Company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy. As such, the Company seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. The Company may take hedging positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sales activities, there are situations in which these hedging activities can themselves result in losses.
	By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the Company has exposures on these derivatives to credit and market risk. The Company is exposed to credit risk that the counterparty might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring the financial condition of its counterparties. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The Company manages market risk by incorporating monitoring parameters within its risk management strategy that limit the types of derivative instruments and derivative strategies the Company uses, and the degree of market risk that may be undertaken by the use of derivative instruments.
	The Company evaluates its contracts that involve physical delivery to determine whether they may qualify for the normal purchase or normal sale exemption and are expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Any contracts that do not meet the normal purchase or sale criteria are recorded at fair value with the change in fair value recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the Company elects, hedge accounting treatment.
	Certain qualifying derivatives related to ethanol production and agribusiness segments are designated as cash flow hedges. Prior to entering into cash flow hedges, the Company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness. For cash flow hedges, any ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results, while other unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income until gains and losses from the underlying hedged transaction are realized. In the event that it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company would discontinue cash flow hedge treatment, which would affect earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or other current liabilities at fair value.
	At times, the Company hedges its exposures to changes in the value of inventories and designates certain qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted through current period results for changes in the fair value arising from changes in underlying prices. Any ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results to the extent that the change in the fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in the fair value of the derivative.
	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from the possibility that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of a contract. The Company transacts sales of ethanol and distillers grains and is marketing products for third parties, which may result in concentrations of credit risk from a variety of customers, including major integrated oil companies, large independent refiners, petroleum wholesalers, other marketers and jobbers. The Company is also exposed to credit risk resulting from sales of grain to large commercial buyers, including other ethanol plants, which it continually monitors. Although payments are typically received within fifteen days of sale for ethanol and distillers grains, the Company continually monitors this credit risk exposure. In addition, the Company may prepay for or make deposits on undelivered inventories. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to inventory advances are primarily with a few major suppliers of petroleum products and agricultural inputs.
	Inventories
	Corn to be used in ethanol production, ethanol and distillers grains inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market, except for fair value hedged inventories, which are carried at market.
	Other grain inventories include readily-marketable physical quantities of grain, forward contracts to buy and sell grain, and exchange traded futures and option contracts (all stated at market value). The futures and options contracts, which are used to hedge the value of both owned grain and forward contracts, are considered derivatives. All grain inventories held for sale are marked to the market price with changes reflected in cost of goods sold. The forward contracts require performance in future periods. Contracts to purchase grain from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of grain to processors or other consumers generally do not extend beyond one year. The terms of contracts for the purchase and sale of grain are consistent with industry standards.
	Finished goods inventory consists of denatured ethanol and its related co-products and is valued at the lower of average cost or market. In addition to ethanol and its co-products in process and not completed to finished goods, work-in-process inventory includes the cost of cattle acquired and related feed and veterinary supplies, as well as direct labor and feedlot overhead costs, and is valued at the lower of average cost or market.
	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of these assets is generally computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
		Years
	Plant, buildings and improvements	Oct-40
	Ethanol production equipment	15-40
	Other machinery and equipment	7-May
	Land improvements	20
	Railroad track and equipment	20
	Computer and software	5-Mar
	Office furniture and equipment	7-May
	Property and equipment is capitalized at cost. Land improvements are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of its fixed assets.
	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company reviews its long-lived assets, currently consisting of property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is required in determining the fair value of long-lived assets to measure impairment, including projections of future discounted cash flows. No impairment charges were recorded for the periods reported.
	Goodwill
	Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The Company has recorded goodwill for business combinations to the extent the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets of each acquired company. The Company’s goodwill currently is comprised of amounts relating to its acquisitions of five ethanol plants and its fuel terminal and distribution business.
	Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. The qualitative factors of goodwill are assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the entity must perform step two of the impairment test. Under the second step, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation and the residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis is necessary. The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at October 1, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. No impairment losses were recorded for the periods reported.
	Financing Costs
	Fees and costs related to securing debt financing are recorded as financing costs. Debt issuance costs are stated at cost and are amortized utilizing the effective interest method for term loans and on a straight-line basis for revolving credit arrangements over the life of the agreements. However, during periods of construction, amortization of such costs is capitalized in construction-in-progress.
	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries, incentives and benefits; office expenses; director compensation; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting, and investor relations activities; as well as non-plant depreciation and amortization costs.
	Environmental Expenditures
	Environmental expenditures that pertain to current operations and relate to future revenue are expensed or capitalized consistent with the Company’s capitalization policy. Probable liabilities incurred that are reasonably estimable are also expensed or capitalized according to this policy and if material, would be disclosed in its quarterly and annual filings. Expenditures that result from the remediation of an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to future revenue are expensed as incurred.
	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation cost using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to calculate the fair value of options and warrants issued to both employees and non-employees. Stock issued for compensation is valued using the market price of the stock on the date of the related agreement.
	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operating results in the period of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes uncertainties in income taxes within the financial statements under a process by which the likelihood of a tax position is gauged based upon the technical merits of the position, and then a subsequent measurement relates the maximum benefit and the degree of likelihood to determine the amount of benefit recognized in the financial statements.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Effective January 1, 2017, the Company will adopt the amended guidance in ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amended guidance requires revenue recognition to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and replaces existing revenue recognition guidance. The updated standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the updated standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions

Acquisitions and Dispositions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Disposition Of Assets [Abstract]
Acquisitions and Dispositions	3.  ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
	Acquisition of Fairmont and Wood River Ethanol Plants
	In November 2013, the Company acquired ethanol plants located in Fairmont, Minnesota and Wood River, Nebraska, with a combined annual production capacity of 230 million gallons. Total consideration was $114.3 million and acquisition-related costs of $0.8 million were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. The Company issued approximately $77.0 million of short-term notes payable and term debt shortly after the acquisition, with the acquired assets serving as collateral for these loans, and entered into capital leases totaling $10.0 million for grain facilities that were previously leased by the predecessor owner of the acquired assets. The following is a summary of assets acquired and liabilities assumed (in thousands):
	Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired
	and Liabilities Assumed
	Accounts receivable			$	119
	Inventory				8,680
	Prepaid expenses and other				2,696
	Property and equipment, net				112,274
	Other assets				4,193
	Current liabilities				-4,260
	Long-term portion of capital leases and
	tax increment financing bond				-7,895
	Other liabilities				-1,489
	Total identifiable net assets			$	114,318
	The operating results of the Wood River ethanol plant have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements since November 22, 2013. At the time of acquisition, the Fairmont ethanol plant was not operational; however, upon completion of certain maintenance and enhancement projects, operations began at the plant in early January 2014. Pro forma revenue and net income, had the acquisition of these two plants occurred on January 1, 2013, would have been $3.3 billion and $47.7 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2013. This information is based on historical results of operations, and, in our opinion, is not necessarily indicative of the results that would have been achieved had we operated the two ethanol plants acquired since such dates.
	There is ongoing litigation related to the consideration for this acquisition. To the extent that this litigation is resolved favorably for the Company, it will result in a gain in a future period with no impact in the event of a negative outcome.
	Sale of Grain Assets
	In December 2012, the Company sold twelve grain elevators located in northwestern Iowa and western Tennessee. The transaction involved approximately 32.6 million bushels, or 83%, of the Company’s reported agribusiness grain storage capacity and all of its agronomy and retail petroleum operations. The divested assets were reported within the Company’s agribusiness segment. The gross proceeds from the sale, including assumption of debt, current liabilities and fees, were $241.0 million. Cash proceeds from the sale totaled $117.7 million and a pre-tax gain from the sale of $47.1 million was included in operating income in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012. The following is a summary of divested assets and liabilities (in thousands):
	Amounts of Disposed Assets and Liabilities
	Current assets	$	146,527
	Property and equipment, net		44,640
	Current liabilities		92,386
	Long-term debt, net		27,974

Segment_Information

Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Segment Information	5.  SEGMENT INFORMATION
	Company management reviews financial and operating performance in the following four separate operating segments: (1) production of ethanol and distillers grains, collectively referred to as ethanol production, (2) corn oil production, (3) grain handling and storage and cattle feedlot operations, collectively referred to as agribusiness, and (4) marketing, merchant trading and logistics services for Company-produced and third-party ethanol, distillers grains, corn oil and other commodities, and the operation of fuel terminals, collectively referred to as marketing and distribution. Selling, general and administrative expenses, primarily consisting of compensation of corporate employees, professional fees and overhead costs not directly related to a specific operating segment, are reflected in the table below as corporate activities.
	During the normal course of business, the Company enters into transactions between segments. Examples of these intersegment transactions include, but are not limited to, the ethanol production segment selling ethanol to the marketing and distribution segment and the agribusiness segment selling grain to the ethanol production segment. These intersegment activities are recorded by each segment at prices approximating market and treated as if they are third-party transactions. Consequently, these transactions impact segment performance. However, revenues and corresponding costs are eliminated in consolidation and do not impact the Company’s consolidated results.
	The following tables set forth certain financial data for the Company’s operating segments (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenues:
	Ethanol production:
	Revenues from external customers (1)	$	-51,424	$	116,272	$	200,443
	Intersegment revenues		2,222,446		1,934,770		1,708,800
	Total segment revenues		2,171,022		2,051,042		1,909,243
	Corn oil production:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		-		-		529
	Intersegment revenues		79,750		69,163		57,315
	Total segment revenues		79,750		69,163		57,844
	Agribusiness:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		100,436		51,883		408,622
	Intersegment revenues		1,208,120		761,835		176,062
	Total segment revenues		1,308,556		813,718		584,684
	Marketing and distribution:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		3,186,599		2,872,856		2,867,276
	Intersegment revenues		171,201		21,790		355
	Total segment revenues		3,357,800		2,894,646		2,867,631
	Revenues including intersegment activity		6,917,128		5,828,569		5,419,402
	Intersegment eliminations		-3,681,517		-2,787,558		-1,942,532
	Revenues as reported	$	3,235,611	$	3,041,011	$	3,476,870
	(1)  Revenues from external customers include realized gains and losses from derivative financial instruments.
	Gross profit (loss):
	Ethanol production	$	236,096	$	79,109	$	-4,895
	Corn oil production		42,937		36,615		32,388
	Agribusiness		14,833		6,258		35,973
	Marketing and distribution		80,326		57,671		32,362
	Intersegment eliminations		606		-6,633		943
		$	374,798	$	173,020	$	96,771
	Operating income (loss):
	Ethanol production	$	214,497	$	63,012	$	-20,393
	Corn oil production		42,651		36,569		32,140
	Agribusiness		8,497		3,324		60,030
	Marketing and distribution		52,669		40,971		17,290
	Intersegment eliminations		666		-6,588		977
	Corporate activities		-32,706		-29,437		-25,159
		$	286,274	$	107,851	$	64,885
	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Ethanol production	$	198,598	$	44,061	$	-42,430
	Corn oil production		42,655		36,570		32,142
	Agribusiness		5,996		793		54,172
	Marketing and distribution		47,921		37,098		13,768
	Intersegment eliminations		666		-6,588		977
	Corporate activities		-45,406		-39,653		-33,473
		$	250,430	$	72,281	$	25,156
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Ethanol production	$	52,393	$	45,312	$	44,239
	Corn oil production		1,756		1,175		1,156
	Agribusiness		1,441		362		4,209
	Marketing and distribution		3,096		2,836		1,942
	Corporate activities		1,676		1,317		1,282
		$	60,362	$	51,002	$	52,828
	Interest expense:
	Ethanol production	$	22,749	$	18,988	$	22,081
	Corn oil production		-		-		-
	Agribusiness		2,591		2,531		5,881
	Marketing and distribution		5,267		4,079		3,532
Intersegment eliminations		-238		-982		-1,137
Corporate activities		9,539		8,741		7,164
	$	39,908	$	33,357	$	37,521
Capital expenditures:
Ethanol production	$	32,050	$	8,469	$	7,637
Corn oil production		8,154		1,782		725
Agribusiness		17,166		6,514		2,006
Marketing and distribution		1,334		2,347		15,791
Corporate activities		2,829		652		617
	$	61,533	$	19,764	$	26,776
The following table sets forth total assets by operating segment (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013
Total assets:
Ethanol production	$	983,289	$	911,315
Corn oil production		31,405		28,569
Agribusiness		234,626		165,570
Marketing and distribution		305,675		258,361
Corporate assets		290,123		175,210
Intersegment eliminations		-16,561		-6,980
	$	1,828,557	$	1,532,045
The following table sets forth revenues by product line (in thousands):
	Year Ended December 31,
	2014		2013		2012
Revenues:
Ethanol	$	2,362,812	$	2,339,470	$	2,507,119
Distillers grains		531,696		488,396		433,088
Corn oil		99,167		74,251		58,640
Grain		174,997		92,487		348,413
Other		66,939		46,407		129,610
	$	3,235,611	$	3,041,011	$	3,476,870
Revenues from two customers, controlled by the same entity, of the Company’s marketing and distribution segment totaled approximately $325.0 million, or 10.0%, of the Company’s consolidated revenues.

Inventories

Inventories	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Inventories	6.  INVENTORIES
	Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, except grain held for sale and fair value hedged inventories, which are valued at market value. The components of inventories are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	34,639	$	56,664
	Grain held for sale		23,027		23,782
	Raw materials		78,095		51,726
	Work-in-process		100,221		11,506
	Supplies and parts		18,985		14,650
		$	254,967	$	158,328

Property_And_Equipment

Property And Equipment	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property And Equipment [Abstract]
Property And Equipment	7.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
	The components of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Plant equipment	$	777,987	$	749,627
	Buildings and improvements		159,178		147,663
	Land and improvements		73,819		59,481
	Railroad track and equipment		40,882		39,852
	Construction-in-progress		23,276		3,789
	Computers and software		9,305		7,380
	Office furniture and equipment		2,127		1,662
	Leasehold improvements and other		13,179		12,111
	Total property and equipment		1,099,753		1,021,565
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-274,543		-215,519
	Property and equipment, net	$	825,210	$	806,046

Goodwill

Goodwill	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Abstract]
Goodwill
	8.  GOODWILL
	The Company did not have any changes in the total carrying amount of goodwill, which was $40.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. Goodwill of $30.3 million is attributable to the ethanol production segment and $10.6 million is attributable to the marketing and distribution segment.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	9.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
	At December 31, 2014, the consolidated balance sheets reflect unrealized losses, net of tax, of $5.3 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The Company expects all of the unrealized losses at December 31, 2014 will be reclassified into operating income over the next 12 months as a result of hedged transactions that are forecasted to occur. The amount ultimately realized in operating income, however, will differ as commodity prices change.
	Fair Values of Derivative Instruments
	The following table provides information about the fair values of the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items on the consolidated balance sheets in which the fair values are reflected (in thousands):
		Asset Derivatives'						Liability Derivatives'
		Fair Value at December 31,						Fair Value at December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Derivative financial instruments (1)	$	11,859	-2	$	-28,466	-3	$	-		$	-
	Other assets		3			-			-			-
	Accrued and other liabilities		-			-			28,082			4,612
	Total	$	11,862		$	-28,466		$	28,082		$	4,612
	(1) Derivative financial instruments as reflected on the balance sheet include a margin deposit assets of $24.5 million and $77.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(2) Balance at December 31, 2014, includes $0.6 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
	(3)Balance at December 31, 2013, includes $47.1 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
	Refer to Note 4 - Fair Value Disclosures, which also contains fair value information related to derivative financial instruments.
	Effect of Derivative Instruments on Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income
	The following tables provide information about gains or losses recognized in income and other comprehensive income on the Company’s derivative financial instruments and the line items in the consolidated financial statements in which such gains and losses are reflected (in thousands):
	Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Not		Year Ended December 31,
	Designated in a Hedging Relationship		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	13,369		$	-10,855		$	-6,206
	Cost of goods sold			165			12,701			-12,050
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	13,534		$	1,846		$	-18,256
	Gains (Losses) Due to Ineffectiveness		Year Ended December 31,
	of Cash Flow Hedges		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	-326		$	-84		$	-10
	Cost of goods sold			481			-490			-
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	155		$	-574		$	-10
	Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated		Year Ended December 31,
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	into Net Income		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	-257,730		$	-96,736		$	-17,318
	Cost of goods sold			-43,853			-25,852			56,848
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	-301,583		$	-122,588		$	39,530
	Effective Portion of Cash Flow		Year Ended December 31,
	Hedges Recognized in
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		2014			2013			2012
	Commodity Contracts		$	-299,684		$	-138,589		$	49,999
	Gains (Losses) from Fair Value		Year Ended December 31,
	Hedges of Inventory		2014			2013			2012
	Cost of goods sold (effect of change in inventory value)		$	304		$	102		$	-
	Cost of goods sold  (effect of fair value hedge)			2,612			674			-
	Ineffectiveness recognized in earnings before tax		$	2,916		$	776		$	-
	There were no gains or losses due to the discontinuance of cash flow hedge or fair value hedge treatment during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
	The following table summarizes volumes of open commodity derivative positions as of December 31, 2014 (in thousands):
	31-Dec-14
			Exchange Traded		Non-Exchange Traded
	Derivative Instruments		Net Long & (Short) (1)		Long (2)		(Short) (2)		Unit of Measure		Commodity
	Futures		-4,410						Bushels		Corn, Soybeans and Wheat
	Futures		3,675	-3					Bushels		Corn
	Futures		-9,010	-4					Bushels		Corn
	Futures		46,410						Gallons		Ethanol
	Futures		-82,950	-3					Gallons		Ethanol
	Futures		958						mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Futures		-4,318	-4					mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Futures		1,320						Pounds		Cattle
	Futures		-37,040	-3					Pounds		Cattle
	Futures		-2,700						Pounds		Soybean Oil
	Options		-2,461						Bushels		Corn, Soybeans and Wheat
	Options		-15,095						Gallons		Ethanol
	Options		-30						mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Forwards				19,041		-16,251		Bushels		Corn and Soybeans
	Forwards				8,046		-160,901		Gallons		Ethanol
	Forwards				104		-461		Tons		Distillers Grains
	Forwards				3,744		-60,490		Pounds		Corn Oil
Forwards				9,310		-876		mmBTU		Natural Gas
	-1		Exchange traded futures and options are presented on a net long and (short) position basis. Options are presented on a delta-adjusted basis.
	-2		Non-exchange traded forwards are presented on a gross long and (short) position basis including both fixed-price and basis contracts.
	-3		Futures used for cash flow hedges.
	-4		Futures used for fair value hedges
Energy trading contracts that do not involve physical delivery are presented net in revenues on the consolidated statements of operations. Included in revenues are net gains of $8.0 million, net losses of $1.2 million, and net gains of $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, on energy trading contracts.

Debt

Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt [Abstract]
Debt	10. DEBT
	The principal balances of the components of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Green Plains Bluffton:
	$70.0 million term loan	$	-		$	26,621
	$20.0 million revolving term loan		-			15,000
	$22.0 million revenue bond		-			15,780
	Green Plains Central City:
	$55.0 million term loan		-			33,100
	$30.5 million revolving term loan		-			17,739
	Equipment financing loan		-			36
	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River:
	$62.5 million term loan		40,000			50,000
	$27.0 million term loan		-			26,756
	Tax increment financing bond		3,589			3,626
	Capital leases on grain facilities		9,994			9,994
	Capital lease on equipment and other		4,192			5,489
	Green Plains Holdings II:
	$46.8 million term loans		29,510			15,914
	$20.0 million revolving term loan		6,000			31,960
	Green Plains Obion:
	$60.0 million term loan		-			3,879
	$37.4 million revolving term loan		27,400			28,400
	Equipment financing loan		-			126
	Economic development grant		1,156			1,245
	Green Plains Ord:
	$25.0 million term loan		-			15,143
	$13.0 million revolving term loan		-			2,151
	Green Plains Otter Tail:
	$30.3 million term loan		-			17,960
	$19.2 million note payable		-			19,151
	Equipment financing loan		11			-
	Green Plains Processing:
	$225.0 million term loan		213,775			-
	Green Plains Shenandoah:
	$17.0 million revolving term loan		-			9,000
	Green Plains Superior:
	$40.0 million term loan		-			9,750
	$15.6 million revolving term loan		15,025			8,000
	Equipment financing loan		-			18
	Corporate:
	$90.0 million convertible notes		-			90,000
	$120.0 million convertible notes		100,845			96,653
	Capital lease		-			188
	Other		11,408			10,000
	Total long-term debt		462,905			563,679
	Less: current portion of long-term debt		-63,465			-82,933
	Long-term debt	$	399,440		$	480,746
	Scheduled long-term debt repayments, excluding the effects of any debt discounts and including full accretion of the $120.0 million convertible notes (due 2018) at their maturity, are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,		Amount
	2015		$	63,465
	2016			13,070
	2017			14,963
	2018			134,949
	2019			22,365
	Thereafter			233,248
	Total		$	482,060
	Short-term notes payable and other borrowings at December 31, 2014 included working capital revolvers at Green Plains Cattle, Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade with outstanding balances of $77.0 million, $37.0 million and $95.9 million, respectively. Short-term notes payable and other borrowings at December 31, 2013 included working capital revolvers at Green Plains Grain and Green Plains Trade with outstanding balances of $95.0 million and $76.5 million, respectively.
	Loan Terminology
	Related to loan covenant discussions below, the following definitions generally apply to the Company’s loans (all calculated in accordance with GAAP consistently applied):
		·		Working capital – current assets less current liabilities.
		·		Net worth – total assets less total liabilities plus subordinated debt.
		·		Tangible Net worth – total assets less intangible assets less total liabilities plus subordinated debt.
	·		Debt service coverage ratio* – (1) net income (after taxes), plus depreciation and amortization, divided by (2) all current portions of regularly scheduled long-term debt for the prior period (previous year end).
	·		Fixed charge coverage ratio* –
	· (1) adjusted EBITDA divided by (2) fixed charges, which are generally the sum of interest expense, scheduled principal payments, distributions, and maintenance capital, within the ethanol production segment.
	· (1) EBITDA, less capital expenditures and interest expense of working capital financings divided by (2) scheduled principal payments and interest expense on long-term indebtedness, within the agribusiness segment.
	· (1) EBITDA less capital expenditures less distributions less cash taxes, divided by (2) all debt payments for the previous four quarters, on a trailing quarter basis, within the marketing and distribution segment.
	·		Leverage ratio – total liabilities divided by tangible net worth.
*Certain credit agreements allow for the inclusion of equity contributions from the parent company in the calculations of the debt service and fixed charge coverage ratios.
Ethanol Production Segment
Loan Repayment Terms
Term Loans –
Scheduled principal payments are as follows:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and
	Green Plains Wood River	$1.3 million per quarter
•	Green Plains Holdings II	$1.8 million per quarter
•	Green Plains Processing	$0.6 million per quarter
Final maturity dates (at the latest) are as follows:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and
	Green Plains Wood River	27-Nov-15
•	Green Plains Holdings II	1-Jul-19
•	Green Plains Processing	30-Jun-20
The Green Plains Processing term loan requires quarterly special payments of 50% to 75% of the available free cash flow from the entity’s operations (as defined in the loan agreement), subject to certain limitations. The Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River term loan requires quarterly special payments of 50% of available free cash flow from the entities’ operations (as defined in the loan agreement), subject to certain limitations, beginning with the first quarter of 2015. As of December 31, 2014, free cash flow payments under the Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River term loan are discontinued when the aggregate of such future payments equals $16.0 million. In all instances, the loan agreements specify that any amounts owed would be reduced or eliminated to avoid a covenant compliance default, if applicable.
Free cash flow payments currently are not to exceed the following amounts in any given year:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and
	Green Plains Wood River	$4.0 million
•	Green Plains Processing	$54.0 million annually, $27.0 million for 2014
Revolving Term Loans – The revolving term loans are generally available for advances throughout the life of the commitment. Allowable advances under the Green Plains Superior loan agreement are reduced by $0.6 million each quarter commencing on October 20, 2014. Allowable advances under the Green Plains Obion loan agreement are reduced by $0.8 million each quarter commencing on August 20, 2014. Interest-only payments are due each month on all revolving term loans until their final respective maturity dates.
Final maturity dates (at the latest) are as follows:
•	Green Plains Holdings II	1-Jul-19
•	Green Plains Obion	20-May-20
•	Green Plains Superior	20-Oct-19
Interest and Fees
The term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 4.50% to 5.50% or lender-established prime rates. The Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River combined term loan bears interest at the three-month LIBOR plus 6.25%. The Green Plains Processing term loan has established a 1% floor on the underlying LIBOR index. A portion of the Green Plains Holdings II term loan is fixed at 8.22%.The revolving term loans bear interest at LIBOR plus 3.85% to 4.50% or lender-established prime rates. Unused commitment fees, when charged, are 0.25% to 0.65%.
Security
As security for the loans, the lenders received a first-position lien on all personal property and real estate owned by the respective entity, and its subsidiaries, if applicable, borrowing the funds, including an assignment of all contracts and rights pertinent to construction and on-going operations of the plant. These borrowing entities are also required to maintain certain financial and non-financial covenants during the terms of the loans.
Covenants
The loan agreements contain affirmative covenants (including financial covenants) and negative covenants including:
Maintenance of working capital, including unused portion of revolver, as follows:
•	Green Plains Holdings II	$15.0 million
•	Green Plains Obion	$9.0 million
•	Green Plains Superior	$3.0 million
Maintenance of net worth as follows:
•	Green Plains Holdings II	$100.0 million plus 25% of net income before tax
•	Green Plains Obion	$95.0 million plus 25% of net income before tax
•	Green Plains Superior	$33.0 million
Maintenance of annual fixed charge coverage ratios:
•	Green Plains Processing	1.25 to 1.00
Maintenance of annual debt service coverage ratios:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	2.25 to 1.00
•	Green Plains Holdings II	1.25 to 1.00
•	Green Plains Obion	1.25 to 1.00
•	Green Plains Superior	1.00 to 1.00
Maintenance of annual leverage ratio:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	3.25 to 1.00 (decreasing to 2.00 to 1.00 in 2015)
•	Green Plains Processing	4.00 to 1.00 (decreasing to 3.25 to 1.00 in 2019)
Annual capital expenditures will be limited as follows:
•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	$2.0 million growth and $4.0 million maintenance
Allowable dividends and other non-overhead distributions from each respective subsidiary are subject to certain additional restrictions including compliance with all loan covenants, terms and conditions, as follows:
•	Green Plains Fairmont	Up to amounts equal to permitted tax
	and Green Plains Wood River	distributions, as defined in the loan agreement
•	Green Plains Holdings II	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
		unlimited if working capital is greater than or
		equal to $20.0 million
•	Green Plains Obion	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
		unlimited if working capital is greater than or
		equal to $15.0 million
•	Green Plains Processing	Amounts may be distributed after quarterly free
		cash flow payment is made, subject to certain
		limitations, as defined in the loan agreement
•	Green Plains Superior	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
		unlimited after free cash flow payment is made
During the second quarter of 2014, Green Plains Processing LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Green Plains Inc., issued term debt under a $225 million Term Loan B facility, which was used to repay all term loans and revolving term loans at Green Plains Bluffton, Green Plains Central City, Green Plains Ord, Green Plains Otter Tail and Green Plains Shenandoah, including the Green Plains Bluffton Revenue Bonds. The new facility is secured by the Atkinson, Bluffton, Central City, Ord, Otter Tail and Shenandoah ethanol plants, including their corn oil production assets, and bears interest at a rate equal to 5.5% plus LIBOR, subject to a 1.0% floor. At December 31, 2014, the interest rate on this term debt was 6.5%. The facility matures on June 30, 2020.
In 2007, Green Plains Bluffton issued $22.0 million of Subordinate Solid Waste Disposal Facility Revenue Bonds bearing interest at 7.50% per annum with the City of Bluffton, Indiana. The revenue bonds required: (1) semi-annual principal and interest payments of approximately $1.5 million through March 1, 2019 and (2) a final principal and interest payment of $3.7 million on September 1, 2019. In July 2014, the revenue bonds were paid in full in accordance with the terms of the $225 million Term Loan B facility.
In February 2014, the Green Plains Holdings II credit agreement was amended to restructure the commitments on the amortizing term loan and term revolver, extend the final maturity date and modify various financial covenants. The amendment increased the commitment of the amortizing term loan to $46.8 million, and decreased the commitment on the revolver to $20.0 million.  In June 2014, the Green Plains Obion revolving term loan was amended to extend the maturity date and modify various financial covenants. In June 2014, the Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River $27.0 million term loan was paid in full. In July 2014, the Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River $50.0 million term loan, secured by these subsidiaries, was amended to increase the outstanding amount to $62.5 million. In August 2014, the Green Plains Superior revolving term loan was amended to increase the commitment amount from $10.0 million to $15.6 million and extend the maturity date. The Green Plains Superior term loan was extinguished. The descriptions and covenants above have been updated to reflect the amendments.
In March 2007, Green Plains Otter Tail issued $19.2 million in senior notes under New Market Tax Credits financing. The notes bear interest at an annual rate equal to the prime rate (as defined) plus 1.5%, but not less than 4.0%, payable monthly, and require monthly principal payments of approximately $0.3 million beginning in September 2014. The senior notes, which were scheduled to mature in September 2018, were extinguished in April 2014, with $2.2 million of the outstanding obligation forgiven according to terms of the financing, which is included in other income in the consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Agribusiness Segment
Green Plains Grain has a $125.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with various lenders to provide for working capital financing. The lenders will make loans up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral. The amount of eligible collateral is determined by a calculated borrowing base value equal to the sum of percentages of eligible cash, eligible receivables and eligible inventories, less certain miscellaneous adjustments. Advances are subject to interest charges at a rate per annum equal to the LIBOR rate for the outstanding period plus the applicable margin or the base rate plus the applicable margin. The revolving credit facility matures on August 26, 2016. The revolving credit facility includes total revolving credit commitments of $125.0 million and an accordion feature whereby amounts available under the facility may be increased by up to $75.0 million of new lender commitments upon agent approval. The facility also allows for additional seasonal borrowings up to $50.0 million. The total commitments outstanding under the facility cannot exceed $250.0 million. As security for the revolving credit facility, the lender received a first priority lien on certain cash, inventory, accounts receivable and other assets owned by subsidiaries of the agribusiness segment. The loan agreement includes affirmative covenants and negative covenants including maintenance of working capital of $23.0 million, maintenance of net worth of $26.3 million, maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25 to 1.00, maintenance of an annual leverage ratio of 6.00 to 1.00 and capital expenditure limitation of $15.0 million annually. In addition to other customary covenants, this revolving credit facility contains restrictions on distributions with respect to capital stock, with exceptions for distributions of up to 40% of net profit before tax, subject to certain conditions.
Green Plains Cattle has a $100.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility with various lenders to provide for working capital financing for the cattle feedlot operations. This loan replaced the $15.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility that matured in December 2014. The lenders will make loans up to the maximum commitment based on eligible collateral. The amount of eligible collateral is determined by a calculated borrowing base value equal to the sum of percentages of eligible receivables, eligible inventories and eligible other current assets, less certain miscellaneous adjustments. Advances are subject to interest charges at a variable rate per annum equal to the LIBOR rate for the outstanding period plus 3.00%,  2.50%, or 2.00%, depending upon availability. The revolving credit facility matures on October 31, 2017. The revolving credit facility includes total revolving credit commitments of $100.0 million and an accordion feature whereby amounts available under the facility may be increased by up to $50.0 million of new lender commitments upon agent approval. The loan agreement includes affirmative covenants and negative covenants including maintenance of working capital of $15.0 million, maintenance of net worth of $20.0 million plus 50% of prior year net income, maintenance of an annual leverage ratio of 3.50 to 1.00 and capital expenditure limitation of $3.0 million annually. As security for the revolving credit facility, the lender received a first priority lien on certain cash, inventory, accounts receivable, property and equipment and other assets owned by Green Plains Cattle.
Marketing and Distribution Segment
Green Plains Trade has a $150.0 million senior secured asset-based revolving credit facility that was amended in November 2014, to increase the commitment amount from $130.0 million to $150.0 million and to extend the maturity date to November 26, 2019. The revolving credit facility, with various lenders, is used to provide for working capital financing. The lenders will make loans up to $150.0 million based on eligible collateral. The amount of eligible collateral is determined by a calculated borrowing base value equal to the sum of percentages of eligible receivables and eligible inventories, less certain miscellaneous adjustments. The outstanding balance, if any, is subject to interest charges at the lender’s floating base rate plus the applicable margin or LIBOR plus the applicable margin. In addition to other customary covenants, this revolving credit facility contains restrictions on distributions with respect to capital stock, with exceptions for distributions with respect to tax obligations, subject to certain conditions, whereby distributions may be made in an amount up to 50% of net income if (a) undrawn availability under this facility, on a pro forma basis, is greater than $10.0 million for the preceding 30 days and (b) as of the date of the distribution, the borrower would be in compliance with the fixed charge coverage ratio on a pro forma basis. The loan agreement includes affirmative covenants and negative covenants including maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.15 to 1.00 and capital expenditure limitation of $1.0 million annually. At December 31, 2014, Green Plains Trade had $22.9 million, presented as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheets, the use of which was restricted for repayment towards the outstanding loan balance.
In June 2013, subsidiaries of the Company executed a New Markets Tax Credits financing transaction related to the Birmingham, Alabama terminal. In order to facilitate this financing transaction, the Company was required to issue promissory notes payable in the amount of $10.0 million and a note receivable in the amount of $8.1 million. The promissory notes payable and note receivable bear interest at 1% per annum, payable quarterly. Beginning in March 2020, the promissory notes and note receivable each require quarterly principal and interest payments of approximately $0.2 million; the Company retains the right to call $8.1 million of the promissory notes in 2020. The promissory notes payable and note receivable mature on September 15, 2031 and will be fully amortized upon maturity. In connection with the New Markets Tax Credits financing transaction, income tax credits were generated for the benefit of the lender. The Company has guaranteed the lender the value of these income tax credits over their statutory lives, a period of seven years, in the event that the income tax credits are recaptured or reduced. The value of the income tax credits was anticipated to be $5.0 million at the time of the transaction. The Company believes the likelihood of recapture or reduction of the income tax credits is remote, and therefore has not established a liability in connection with this guarantee.
Corporate Activities
In September 2013, the Company issued $120.0 million of 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018, or the 3.25% Notes. The 3.25% Notes represent senior, unsecured obligations of the Company, with interest payable on April 1 and October 1 of each year. At the time the Company issued the 3.25% Notes, it was only permitted to settle conversions with shares of its common stock. The Company received shareholder approval at its 2014 annual meeting, held in the second quarter, to allow for flexible settlement which gives it the option to settle conversions in cash, shares of common stock, or any combination thereof. The Company intends to satisfy conversion of the 3.25% Notes with cash for the principal amount of the debt and cash or shares of common stock for any related conversion premium. The 3.25% Notes contain liability and equity components which were bifurcated and accounted for separately. The liability component of the 3.25% Notes, as of the issuance date, was calculated by estimating the fair value of a similar liability issued at an 8.21% effective interest rate, which was determined by considering the rate of return investors would require for comparable debt of the Company without conversion rights. The amount of the equity component was calculated by deducting the fair value of the liability component from the principal amount of the 3.25% Notes, resulting in the initial recognition of $24.5 million as debt discount costs recorded in additional paid-in capital. The carrying amount of the 3.25% Notes will be accreted to the principal amount over the remaining term to maturity, and the Company will record a corresponding amount of noncash interest expense. Additionally, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $5.1 million related to the 3.25% Notes and allocated $4.0 million of debt issuance costs to the liability component of the 3.25% Notes. These costs will be amortized to noncash interest expense over the five-year term of the 3.25% Notes. Prior to April 1, 2018, the 3.25% Notes will not be convertible unless certain conditions are satisfied. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events, including the payment of a quarterly cash dividend that exceeds $0.04 per share. As a result, the conversion rate was recently adjusted to 48.0607 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 3.25% Notes, which is equal to a current conversion price of approximately $20.81 per share. In addition, the Company may be obligated to increase the conversion rate for any conversion that occurs in connection with certain corporate events, including the Company calling the 3.25% Notes for redemption.
The Company may redeem for cash all, but not less than all, of the 3.25% Notes at any time on or after October 1, 2016 if the sale price of the Company's common stock equals or exceeds 140% of the applicable conversion price for a specified time period ending on the trading day immediately prior to the date the Company delivers notice of the redemption. The redemption price will equal 100% of the principal amount of the 3.25% Notes, plus any accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of a fundamental change, such as a change in control, holders of the 3.25% Notes will have the right, at their option, to require the Company to repurchase their 3.25% Notes in cash at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 3.25% Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest. Default with respect to any loan in excess of $10.0 million constitutes an event of default under the 3.25% Notes, which could result in the 3.25% Notes being declared due and payable.
On February 14, 2014, the Company gave notice of its intention to redeem all of its previously-issued and outstanding $90.0 million of 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2015, or the 5.75% Notes, pursuant to the optional redemption right in the indenture governing the 5.75% Notes. The 5.75% Notes were convertible into shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion rate of 72.5846 shares of common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of 5.75% Notes from February 14, 2014 through February 28, 2014. From March 1, 2014 through March 19, 2014, the conversion rate was adjusted to 72.6961 shares of common stock for each $1,000 principal amount as a result of the quarterly cash dividend. Approximately $89.95 million of the 5.75% Notes were submitted for conversion into 6,532,713 shares of common stock through March 19, 2014. On March 20, 2014, the Company redeemed the remaining 5.75% Notes at par value plus accrued and unpaid interest through March 19, 2014. All $90.0 million of the 5.75% Notes were retired effective March 20, 2014.
Covenant Compliance
The Company, including all of its subsidiaries, was in compliance with its debt covenants as of December 31, 2014.
Capitalized Interest
The Company had $191 thousand in capitalized interest during the year ended December 31, 2014, no capitalized interest during the year ended December 31, 2013 and $285 thousand in capitalized interest during the year ended December 31, 2012.
Restricted Net Assets
At December 31, 2014, there were approximately $681.4 million of net assets at the Company’s subsidiaries that were not available to be transferred to the parent company in the form of dividends, loans or advances due to restrictions contained in the credit facilities of these subsidiaries.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	11.  STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	The Company has an equity incentive plan which reserves a total of 3.5 million shares of common stock for issuance pursuant to its terms. The plan provides for the granting of shares of stock, including options to purchase shares of common stock, stock appreciation rights tied to the value of common stock, restricted stock, and restricted and deferred stock unit awards to eligible employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The Company measures share-based compensation grants at fair value on the grant date, adjusted for estimated forfeitures. The Company records noncash compensation expense related to equity awards in its consolidated financial statements over the requisite service period on a straight-line basis. Substantially all of the Company’s existing share-based compensation awards have been determined to be equity awards.
	Grants under the equity incentive plans may include:
		·	Options – Stock options may be granted that are currently exercisable, that become exercisable in installments, or that are not exercisable until a fixed future date. Certain options that have been issued are exercisable during their term regardless of termination of employment while other options have been issued that terminate at a designated time following the date employment is terminated. Options issued to date may be exercised immediately and/or at future vesting dates, and must be exercised no later than five to eight years after the grant date or they will expire.
		·	Stock Awards – Stock awards may be granted to directors and employees with ownership of the common stock vesting immediately or over a period determined by the Compensation Committee and stated in the award. Stock awards granted to date vested in some cases immediately and at other times over a period determined by the Compensation Committee and were restricted as to sales for a specified period. Compensation expense was recognized upon the grant award date if fully vested, or over the requisite vesting period.
		·	Deferred Stock Units – Deferred stock units may be granted to directors and employees with ownership of the common stock vesting immediately or over a period determined by the Compensation Committee and stated in the award. As determined by the Compensation Committee, deferred stock units granted to date vest over a specific period with underlying shares of common stock issuable in a period beyond the vesting date. Compensation expense was recognized upon the grant award date if fully vested, or over the requisite vesting period.
	For stock options granted during the periods indicated below, the fair value of options granted was estimated on the date of grant using the Black‑Scholes option‑pricing model, a pricing model acceptable under GAAP. The Company did not grant any stock option awards during the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013. The fair value of stock option awards granted in 2012 were calculated using assumptions of an expected life of 6.0 years, an interest rate of 0.63% and a volatility rate of 76.26%.
	The expected life of options granted represents the period of time in years that options granted are expected to be outstanding. The interest rate represents the annual interest rate a risk-free investment could potentially earn during the expected life of the option grant. Expected volatility is based on weighted-average historical volatility of the Company’s common stock.
	All of the Company’s existing share-based compensation awards have been determined to be equity awards. The Company recognizes compensation costs for stock option awards which vest with the passage of time with only service conditions on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
	The following table summarizes exercisable stock option activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Shares	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	610,250	$	10.71	3.4	$	5,310
	Granted	-		-
	Exercised	-270,500		10.56			5,270
	Forfeited	-		-
	Expired	-		-
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	339,750	$	10.82	3.1	$	4,763
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014 (1)	339,750	$	10.82	3.1	$	4,763
		-1	Includes in-the-money options totaling 339,750 shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.82.
	The Company’s option awards allow employees to exercise options through cash payment to the Company for the shares of common stock or through a simultaneous broker-assisted cashless exercise of a share option, through which the employee authorizes the exercise of an option and the immediate sale of the option shares in the open market. The Company uses newly-issued shares of common stock to satisfy its share-based payment obligations.
	The following table summarizes non-vested stock award and deferred stock unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2014:
		Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Vesting Term
					(in years)
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	738,950	$	10.39
	Granted	407,393		23.56
	Forfeited	-5,516		10.88
	Vested	-462,323		13.49
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014	678,504	$	16.18	1.8
	Compensation costs expensed for the Company’s share-based payment plan described above were approximately $7.2 million, $5.5 million and $5.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. At December 31, 2014, there were $6.6 million of unrecognized compensation costs from share-based compensation arrangements, which are related to non-vested awards. This compensation is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.8 years. The potential tax benefit realizable for the anticipated tax deductions of the exercise of share-based payment arrangements generally would approximate 37.5% of these expense amounts.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	12.  EARNINGS PER SHARE
	Basic earnings per share, or EPS, is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income on an if-converted basis for 2012, 2013 and the first quarter of 2014, with respect to the 3.25% Notes and the 5.75% Notes, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of any outstanding dilutive securities. All of the 5.75% Notes were retired during the first quarter of 2014. During the second quarter of 2014, the Company received shareholder approval to allow for flexible settlement in cash, shares of common stock, or a combination of cash and shares of common stock for the conversion of the 3.25% Notes. The Company intends to settle conversions in cash for the principal amount and cash or shares of the Company’s common stock for any related conversion premium. Accordingly, beginning in the second quarter of 2014, diluted EPS is computed using the treasury stock method by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, adjusted for the dilutive effect of any outstanding dilutive securities. The calculations of basic and diluted EPS are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic EPS:
	Net income attributable to Green Plains	$	159,504	$	43,391	$	11,779
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		36,467		30,183		30,296
	EPS - basic	$	4.37	$	1.44	$	0.39
	Diluted EPS:
	Net income attributable to Green Plains	$	159,504	$	43,391	$	11,779
	Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax effect:
	5.75% Notes		576		3,578		-
	3.25% Notes		1,379		1,473		-
	Net income attributable to Green Plains - diluted	$	161,459	$	48,442	$	11,779
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		36,467		30,183		30,296
	Effect of dilutive convertible debt:
	5.75% Notes		1,006		6,286		-
	3.25% Notes		3,040		1,624		-
	Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards		217		211		167
	Weighted average shares oustanding - diluted		40,730		38,304		30,463
	EPS - diluted	$	3.96	$	1.26	$	0.39
	Excluded from the computations of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, were stock-based compensation awards totaling 14 thousand and 0.8 million shares, respectively, because the exercise prices or the grant-date fair value, as applicable, of the corresponding awards were greater than the average market price of the Company’s common stock during the respective periods. Also, the effect of 5.75% Notes due 2015 was excluded from the computation of diluted EPS for the year ended December 31, 2012 as inclusion would be antidilutive.

Stockholders_Equity

Stockholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Abstract
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	13.  STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
	Treasury Stock
	The Company holds 7.2 million shares of its common stock at a cost of $65.8 million. Shares of repurchased common stock are recorded at cost as treasury stock, resulting in a reduction of stockholders’ equity in the consolidated balance sheets. When shares are reissued, the Company will use the weighted average cost method for determining the cost basis. The difference between the cost of the shares and the issuance price will be added or deducted from additional paid-in capital.
	Share Repurchase Program
	In August 2014, the Company announced a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of its common stock. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share buyback programs, tender offers or by other means. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions will be determined by its management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice.  No shares have been repurchased pursuant to this repurchase program.
	Dividends
	In August 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the initiation of a quarterly cash dividend. The Company has paid a quarterly cash dividend since this initial authorization and anticipates declaring cash dividends in future quarters on a regular basis; however, future declarations of dividends are subject to Board approval and may be adjusted as the Company’s cash position, business needs or market conditions change.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income relate primarily to gains and losses on derivative financial instruments. Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows (in thousands):
		Year Ended December 31,						Statements of Operations
		2014		2013		2012		Classification
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
	Ethanol commodity derivatives	$	-257,730	$	-96,736	$	-17,318	Revenues
	Corn commodity derivatives		-43,853		-25,852		56,848	Cost of goods sold
	Total		-301,583		-122,588		39,530	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Income tax benefit		-139,754		-46,941		15,032	Income tax expense (benefit)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated
	other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-161,829	$	-75,647	$	24,498

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Income Taxes	14.  INCOME TAXES
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and for net operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	Income tax expense consists of the following (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Current		$	67,389		$	1,397		$	2,689
	Deferred			23,537			27,493			10,704
	Total		$	90,926		$	28,890		$	13,393
	Differences between the income tax expense computed at the statutory federal income tax rate and as presented on the consolidated statements of operations are summarized as follows (in thousands):
			Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax expense at federal statutory
	rate of 35%	$	87,650		$	25,299		$	8,810
	State income tax expense, net
	of federal benefit		6,810			2,002			4,036
	Qualified production activities deduction		-4,637			-			-
	Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
	against deferred tax assets		-			-709			-
	Nondeductible compensation		848			1,491			-
	Other		255			807			547
	Income tax expense	$	90,926		$	28,890		$	13,393
	Significant components of deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards - State	$	471		$	1,232
	Tax credit carryforwards - Federal		-			2,062
	Tax credit carryforwards - State		4,910			5,662
	Derivative financial instruments		975			2,297
	Organizational and start-up costs		851			2,371
	Stock-based compensation		2,868			2,975
	Accrued expenses		7,196			7,219
	Capital leases		3,743			-
	Other		1,532			1,690
	Total deferred tax assets		22,546			25,508
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Convertible debt	$	-6,878		$	-8,444
	Fixed assets		-118,132			-94,864
	Investment in partnerships		-1,534			-1,786
	Total deferred tax liabilities		-126,544			-105,094
	Valuation allowance		-3,742			-3,765
	Deferred income taxes	$	-107,740		$	-83,351
	As of December 31, 2013, the Company had utilized all of its federal net operating loss carryforwards of $30.5 million from 2012. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance against some of its net deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of realizing these assets in the future. The deferred tax valuation allowance of $3.7 million as of December 31, 2014 relates to certain Iowa and Nebraska tax credits that started expiring in 2014 and will continue to expire through 2016. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income and other tax attributes during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.
	The Company conducts business and files tax returns in several states within the U.S. The Company’s federal and state returns for the tax years ended November 30, 2011 and later are still subject to audit.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	279
	Additions for current year tax positions		-
	Additions for prior year tax positions		33
	Reductions for prior year tax positions		-
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of applicable statue of expirations		-
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	312
	The unrecognized tax benefits, if recognized, would favorably impact the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company accrues interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as part of selling, general and administrative expense.

Commitments_And_Contingencies

Commitments And Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Commitments And Contingencies
	15.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
	Operating Leases
	The Company leases certain facilities and parcels of land under agreements that expire at various dates. For accounting purposes, rent expense is based on a straight-line amortization of the total payments required over the lease term. The Company incurred lease expenses of $31.8 million, $19.9 million and $18.3 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Aggregate minimum lease payments under these agreements for future fiscal years are as follows (in thousands):
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	30,316
	2016		26,910
	2017		16,810
	2018		13,835
	2019		9,989
	Thereafter		8,923
	Total	$	106,783
	Commodities
	As of December 31, 2014 the Company had contracted for future purchases of grain, corn oil, natural gas, ethanol, distillers grains and cattle valued at approximately $308.3 million.
	Legal
	In April 2011, Aventine Renewable Energy, Inc. filed a complaint in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in connection with its Chapter 11 bankruptcy naming as defendants Green Plains Inc., Green Plains Obion LLC, Green Plains Bluffton LLC, Green Plains VBV LLC and Green Plains Trade Group LLC. This action alleged $24.4 million of damages from preferential transfers or, in the alternative, $28.4 million of damages from fraudulent transfers under an ethanol marketing agreement and an unspecified amount of damages for a continuing breach of a termination agreement related to rail cars. In April 2012, the parties mutually agreed to a negotiated settlement whereby the Company agreed to a cash payment and the purchase of 20 million gallons of ethanol from Aventine over a four-month period beginning in May 2012. An after-tax charge of $2.4 million for the settlement was reflected in operations for the year ended December 31, 2012.
	In November 2013, the Company acquired ethanol plants located in Fairmont, Minnesota and Wood River, Nebraska. There is ongoing litigation related to the consideration for this acquisition. To the extent that this litigation is resolved favorably for the Company, it will result in a gain in a future period with no impact in the event of a negative outcome.
	In addition to the above-described proceeding, the Company is currently involved in other litigation that has arisen in the ordinary course of business; however, it does not believe that any of this litigation will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
	Insurance Recoveries
	In March 2014, the Green Plains Otter Tail ethanol plant was damaged by a fire, which caused substantial property damage and business interruption costs. The Company has property damage and business interruption insurance coverages and, as a result, the fire has not had a material adverse impact on the Company’s financial results.
	As of December 31, 2014, the Company had received $7.8 million for the property damage portion of the claim, representing reimbursement, net of deductible, for the replacement value of the damaged property and equipment. This recovery is in excess of the book value of the damaged assets, resulting in a gain of $4.2 million, which was recorded in other income during the year ended December 31, 2014.
	The Company had also received insurance proceeds of $10.5 million as of December 31, 2014 related to the business interruption portion of the claim, reimbursing a substantial majority of lost profits, net of deductible, during the repair of this equipment. These proceeds are recorded as a reduction of cost of goods sold.
	The amounts above for both property damage and business interruption insurance claims are final and have been approved and paid by the insurance carrier.

Employee_Benefit_Plans

Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Employee Benefit Plans	16.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
	The Company offers eligible employees a comprehensive employee benefits plan that includes health, dental, vision, life and accidental death, short-term disability and long-term disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Additionally, the Company offers a 401(k) retirement plan that enables eligible employees to save on a tax-deferred basis up to the limits allowable under the Internal Revenue Code. The Company matches up to 4% of eligible employee contributions. Employee and employer contributions are 100% vested immediately. Employer contributions to the 401(k) plan were $1.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	The Company contributes to a defined benefit pension plan. Although benefits under the plan were frozen as of January 1, 2009, the Company remains obligated to ensure that the plan is funded in accordance with applicable requirements. As of December 31, 2014, assets of the plan were $6.4 million and liabilities of the plan were $6.0 million. Excess plan assets over plan liabilities of $0.4 million were included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and excess plan liabilities over plan assets of $0.3 million were included in other liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2013.

Related_Party_Transactions

Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions
	17.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
	Commercial Contracts
	Three subsidiaries of the Company have executed separate financing agreements for equipment with AXIS Capital Inc. Gordon F. Glade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AXIS Capital, is a member of the Company’s Board of Directors. In March 2014, a subsidiary of the Company entered into $1.4 million of new equipment financing agreements with AXIS Capital with monthly payments beginning in April 2014. Totals of $1.2 million and $0.1 million were included in debt at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, under these financing arrangements. Payments, including principal and interest, totaled $0.3 million, $0.1 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and the weighted average interest rate for all outstanding financing agreements with AXIS Capital is 6.8%.
	Aircraft Leases
	Effective April 1, 2014, the Company entered into two agreements with entities controlled by Wayne B. Hoovestol for the lease of two aircrafts. Mr. Hoovestol is Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors. In total, the Company agreed to pay $15,834 per month for combined use of up to 125 hours per year of the aircrafts. Any flight time in excess of 125 hours per year will incur additional hourly-based charges. These agreements replaced a prior agreement with an entity controlled by Mr. Hoovestol for the lease of an aircraft for $6,667 per month for use of up to 100 hours per year, with any flight time in excess of 100 hours resulting in additional hourly-based charges. During the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, payments related to these leases totaled $187 thousand, $136 thousand and $121 thousand, respectively. The Company had approximately $2 thousand in outstanding payables related to this agreement at December 31, 2014 and no outstanding payables at December 31, 2013.
	Effective January 1, 2015, the Company has entered into two agreements with an entity controlled by Mr. Hoovestol for the lease of two different aircrafts, replacing the prior agreements. Under the new agreements, the Company has agreed to pay $9,766 per month for combined use of up to 125 hours per year of the aircrafts. Any flight time in excess of 125 hours per year will incur additional hourly-based charges.

Quarterly_Financial_Data

Quarterly Financial Data	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data[Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Data	18.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (Unaudited)
	The following tables set forth certain unaudited financial data for each of the quarters within the years ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands, except per share amounts). This information has been derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements and in management’s opinion, reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the information for the quarters presented. The operating results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
		2014		2014		2014		2014
	Revenues	$	829,939	$	833,925	$	837,858	$	733,889
	Cost of goods sold		732,288		735,842		759,543		633,140
	Operating income		73,929		75,055		58,946		78,343
	Other expense		-9,315		-9,056		-8,857		-8,615
	Income tax expense		22,377		24,250		17,775		26,525
	Net income attributable to Green Plains		42,237		41,749		32,314		43,203
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		1.12		1.11		0.86		1.30
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		1.07		1.03		0.82		1.04
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
	Revenues	$	712,869	$	757,971	$	804,696	$	765,476
	Cost of goods sold		640,697		716,947		772,085		738,262
	Operating income		51,051		25,534		18,562		12,704
	Other expense		-10,219		-8,491		-8,309		-8,551
	Income tax expense		15,371		7,633		4,288		1,598
	Net income attributable to Green Plains		25,461		9,410		5,965		2,555
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		0.84		0.31		0.20		0.09
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		0.65		0.28		0.19		0.08

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant [Abstract]
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant	Schedule I – Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant (Parent Company Only)
	GREEN PLAINS INC.
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
	STATEMENTS OF BALANCE SHEET – PARENT COMPANY ONLY
	(in thousands)
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	252,689		$	143,852
	Restricted cash			6,309			-
	Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of
	$196 and $69, respectively			268			128
	Prepaid expenses and other			893			860
	Due from subsidiaries			30,823			20,987
	Total current assets			290,982			165,827
	Property and equipment, net			4,147			3,052
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries			611,311			568,410
	Other assets			18,323			19,374
	Total assets		$	924,763		$	756,663
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable		$	2,098		$	4,310
	Accrued liabilities			20,057			14,344
	Current maturities of long-term debt			-			188
	Total current liabilities			22,155			18,842
	Long-term debt			100,845			186,654
	Deferred income taxes			4,010			5,446
	Other liabilities			304			363
	Total liabilities			127,314			211,305
	Stockholders' equity
	Common stock			45			38
	Additional paid-in capital			569,431			468,962
	Retained earnings			299,101			148,505
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			-5,320			-6,339
	Treasury stock			-65,808			-65,808
	Total stockholders' equity			797,449			545,358
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	924,763		$	756,663
	See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.
	GREEN PLAINS INC.
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
	STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS – PARENT COMPANY ONLY
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	-		$	88		$	-
	Operating (loss)		-			-88			-
	Other income (expense)
	Interest income		462			192			112
	Interest expense		-9,539			-8,742			-7,165
	Other, net		-3,860			-2,647			-2,399
	Total other expense		-12,937			-11,197			-9,452
	Loss before income taxes		-12,937			-11,285			-9,452
	Income tax benefit		4,361			5,018			218
	Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		-8,576			-6,267			-9,234
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		168,080			49,658			21,013
	Net income	$	159,504		$	43,391		$	11,779
	See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.
	GREEN PLAINS INC.
	CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
	STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – PARENT COMPANY ONLY
	(in thousands)
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:	$	-7,653		$	-1,924		$	-279
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		-7,653			-1,924			-279
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment		-2,829			-652			-616
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net		-			42			-
Investment in subsidiaries, net		125,179			-53,754			54,426
Issuance of notes receivable from subsidiaries,
net of payments received		9,500			15,356			-6,832
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries		-4,309			-3,264			-7,998
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		127,541			-42,272			38,980
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		-			120,000			-
Payments of principal on long-term debt		-238			-1,841			-204
Payments on short-term borrowings		-			-27,162			-
Payments for repurchase of common stock		-			-			-10,445
Change in restricted cash		-6,309			-			-
Payment of cash dividends		-8,908			-2,426			-
Payment of loan fees		-			-5,072			-
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		4,404			4,498			-
Other, net		-			-			452
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		-11,051			87,997			-10,197
Net change in cash and equivalents		108,837			43,801			28,504
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		143,852			100,051			71,547
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	252,689		$	143,852		$	100,051
See accompanying notes to the condensed financial statements.
GREEN PLAINS INC.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF THE REGISTRANT
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – PARENT COMPANY ONLY
1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION
References to the “Parent Company” refer to Green Plains Inc., a holding company that conducts substantially all of its business operations through its subsidiaries. As specified in certain of its subsidiaries’ debt agreements, there are restrictions on the Parent Company’s ability to obtain funds from certain of its subsidiaries through dividends, loans or advances. See Note 10 – Debt in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. Accordingly, these condensed financial statements have been presented on a “parent-only” basis. Under a parent-only presentation, the Parent Company’s investments in its consolidated subsidiaries are presented under the equity method of accounting. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with Green Plains Inc.’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere herein.
2.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating Leases
The Parent Company leases certain facilities under agreements that expire at various dates. For accounting purposes, rent expense is based on a straight-line amortization of the total payments required over the lease term. The Parent Company incurred lease expenses of $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million during the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Aggregate minimum lease payments under these agreements for future fiscal years are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,		Amount
2015		$	1,085
2016			1,088
2017			296
2018			120
2019			122
Thereafter			249
Total		$	2,960
Parent Guarantees
The various operating subsidiaries of the Parent Company enter into contracts as a routine part of their business activities. Examples of these contracts include financing and lease arrangements, commodity purchase and sale agreements, and agreements with vendors. In certain instances, the contractual obligations of such subsidiaries are guaranteed by, or otherwise supported by, the Parent Company. As of December 31, 2014, the Parent Company had $187.9 million in guarantees of subsidiary contracts and indebtedness.
3.  DEBT
Parent Company debt as of December 31, 2014 is comprised of the 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018, or the 3.25% Notes. Scheduled long-term debt repayments, excluding the effects of any debt discounts and including full accretion of the 3.25% Notes at their maturity, are as follows (in thousands):
Year Ending December 31,		Amount
2015		$	-
2016			-
2017			-
2018			120,000
2019			-
Thereafter			-
Total		$	120,000

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Desc1

Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business [Abstract]
Consolidated Financial Statements	Consolidated Financial Statements
	The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its controlled subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated on a consolidated basis for reporting purposes. Unconsolidated entities are included in the financial statements on an equity basis.
Use Of Estimates In The Preparation Of Consolidated Financial Statements	Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are proper and reasonable under the circumstances. The Company regularly evaluates the appropriateness of estimates and assumptions used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Key accounting policies, including but not limited to those relating to revenue recognition, depreciation of property and equipment, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, derivative financial instruments, and accounting for income taxes, are impacted significantly by judgments, assumptions and estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account1

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Cash And Cash Equivalents And Restricted Cash	Cash and Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
	The Company considers short-term highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include bank deposits. The Company also has restricted cash which is comprised of cash restricted as to use for payment towards a revolving credit agreement.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition
	The Company recognizes revenue when all of the following criteria are satisfied: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; risk of loss and title transfer to the customer; the price is fixed and determinable; and collectability is reasonably assured.
	For sales of ethanol, distillers grains and other commodities by the Company’s marketing business, revenue is recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to an external customer. Revenues related to marketing operations for third parties are recorded on a gross basis as the Company takes title to the product and assumes risk of loss. Unearned revenue is reflected on the consolidated balance sheets for goods in transit for which the Company has received payment and title has not been transferred to the customer. Revenues from the Company’s fuel terminal operations, which include ethanol transload services, are recognized when these services are completed.
	The Company routinely enters into fixed-price, physical-delivery ethanol sales agreements. In certain instances, the Company intends to settle the transaction by open market purchases of ethanol rather than by delivery from its own production. These transactions are reported net as a component of revenues. Revenues also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).
	Sales of agricultural commodities, including cattle, are recognized when title to the product and risk of loss transfer to the customer, which is dependent on the agreed upon sales terms with the customer. These sales terms provide for passage of title either at the time shipment is made or at the time the commodity has been delivered to its destination and final weights, grades and settlement prices have been agreed upon with the customer. Revenues related to grain merchandising are presented gross in the statements of operations with amounts billed for shipping and handling included in revenues and also as a component of cost of goods sold. Revenues from grain storage are recognized as services are rendered.
Cost Of Goods Sold	Cost of Goods Sold
	Cost of goods sold includes costs for direct labor, materials and certain plant overhead costs. Direct labor includes all compensation and related benefits of non-management personnel involved in the operation of the Company’s ethanol plants. Grain purchasing and receiving costs, other than labor costs for grain buyers and scale operators, are also included in cost of goods sold. Direct materials consist of the costs of corn feedstock, denaturant, and process chemicals. Corn feedstock costs include unrealized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments not designated as cash flow hedges, inbound freight charges, inspection costs and transfer costs. Corn feedstock costs also include realized gains and losses on related derivative financial instruments, ineffectiveness on cash flow hedges, and reclassifications of realized gains and losses on effective cash flow hedges from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Plant overhead costs primarily consist of plant utilities, plant depreciation and outbound freight charges. Shipping costs incurred directly by the Company, including railcar lease costs, are also reflected in cost of goods sold.
	The Company uses exchange-traded futures and options contracts to minimize the effects of changes in the prices of agricultural commodities on its agribusiness segment’s grain and cattle inventories and forward purchase and sales contracts. Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued at quoted market prices. These contracts are predominantly settled in cash. The Company is exposed to loss in the event of non-performance by the counter-party to forward purchase and forward sale contracts. Grain inventories held for sale, forward purchase contracts and forward sale contracts in the agribusiness segment are valued at market prices, where available, or other market quotes adjusted for differences, primarily transportation, between the exchange-traded market and the local markets on which the terms of the contracts are based. Changes in the fair value of grain inventories held for sale, forward purchase and sale contracts, and exchange-traded futures and options contracts in the agribusiness segment, are recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold.
Derivative Financial Instruments	Derivative Financial Instruments
	To minimize the risk and the effects of the volatility of commodity price changes primarily related to corn, ethanol, cattle and natural gas, the Company uses various derivative financial instruments, including exchange-traded futures, and exchange-traded and over-the-counter options contracts. The Company monitors and manages this exposure as part of its overall risk management policy. As such, the Company seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on its operating results. The Company may take hedging positions in these commodities as one way to mitigate risk. While the Company attempts to link its hedging activities to purchase and sales activities, there are situations in which these hedging activities can themselves result in losses.
	By using derivatives to hedge exposures to changes in commodity prices, the Company has exposures on these derivatives to credit and market risk. The Company is exposed to credit risk that the counterparty might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the terms of the derivative contract. The Company minimizes its credit risk by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties, limiting the amount of financial exposure it has with each counterparty and monitoring the financial condition of its counterparties. Market risk is the risk that the value of the financial instrument might be adversely affected by a change in commodity prices or interest rates. The Company manages market risk by incorporating monitoring parameters within its risk management strategy that limit the types of derivative instruments and derivative strategies the Company uses, and the degree of market risk that may be undertaken by the use of derivative instruments.
	The Company evaluates its contracts that involve physical delivery to determine whether they may qualify for the normal purchase or normal sale exemption and are expected to be used or sold over a reasonable period in the normal course of business. Any contracts that do not meet the normal purchase or sale criteria are recorded at fair value with the change in fair value recorded in operating income unless the contracts qualify for, and the Company elects, hedge accounting treatment.
	Certain qualifying derivatives related to ethanol production and agribusiness segments are designated as cash flow hedges. Prior to entering into cash flow hedges, the Company evaluates the derivative instrument to ascertain its effectiveness. For cash flow hedges, any ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results, while other unrealized gains and losses are reflected in accumulated other comprehensive income until gains and losses from the underlying hedged transaction are realized. In the event that it becomes probable that a forecasted transaction will not occur, the Company would discontinue cash flow hedge treatment, which would affect earnings. These derivative financial instruments are recognized in current assets or other current liabilities at fair value.
	At times, the Company hedges its exposures to changes in the value of inventories and designates certain qualifying derivatives as fair value hedges. The carrying amount of the hedged inventory is adjusted through current period results for changes in the fair value arising from changes in underlying prices. Any ineffectiveness is recognized in current period results to the extent that the change in the fair value of the inventory is not offset by the change in the fair value of the derivative.
Concentrations Of Credit Risk	Concentrations of Credit Risk
	In the normal course of business, the Company is exposed to credit risk resulting from the possibility that a loss may occur from the failure of another party to perform according to the terms of a contract. The Company transacts sales of ethanol and distillers grains and is marketing products for third parties, which may result in concentrations of credit risk from a variety of customers, including major integrated oil companies, large independent refiners, petroleum wholesalers, other marketers and jobbers. The Company is also exposed to credit risk resulting from sales of grain to large commercial buyers, including other ethanol plants, which it continually monitors. Although payments are typically received within fifteen days of sale for ethanol and distillers grains, the Company continually monitors this credit risk exposure. In addition, the Company may prepay for or make deposits on undelivered inventories. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to inventory advances are primarily with a few major suppliers of petroleum products and agricultural inputs.
Inventories	Inventories
	Corn to be used in ethanol production, ethanol and distillers grains inventories are stated at the lower of average cost or market, except for fair value hedged inventories, which are carried at market.
	Other grain inventories include readily-marketable physical quantities of grain, forward contracts to buy and sell grain, and exchange traded futures and option contracts (all stated at market value). The futures and options contracts, which are used to hedge the value of both owned grain and forward contracts, are considered derivatives. All grain inventories held for sale are marked to the market price with changes reflected in cost of goods sold. The forward contracts require performance in future periods. Contracts to purchase grain from producers generally relate to the current or future crop years for delivery periods quoted by regulated commodity exchanges. Contracts for the sale of grain to processors or other consumers generally do not extend beyond one year. The terms of contracts for the purchase and sale of grain are consistent with industry standards.
	Finished goods inventory consists of denatured ethanol and its related co-products and is valued at the lower of average cost or market. In addition to ethanol and its co-products in process and not completed to finished goods, work-in-process inventory includes the cost of cattle acquired and related feed and veterinary supplies, as well as direct labor and feedlot overhead costs, and is valued at the lower of average cost or market.
Property And Equipment	Property and Equipment
	Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of these assets is generally computed using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives of the assets:
		Years
	Plant, buildings and improvements	Oct-40
	Ethanol production equipment	15-40
	Other machinery and equipment	7-May
	Land improvements	20
	Railroad track and equipment	20
	Computer and software	5-Mar
	Office furniture and equipment	7-May
	Property and equipment is capitalized at cost. Land improvements are capitalized and depreciated. Expenditures for property betterments and renewals are capitalized. Costs of repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of its fixed assets.
Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
	The Company reviews its long-lived assets, currently consisting of property and equipment, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Significant management judgment is required in determining the fair value of long-lived assets to measure impairment, including projections of future discounted cash flows. No impairment charges were recorded for the periods reported.
Goodwill	Goodwill
	Goodwill is an asset representing the future economic benefits arising from other assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. The Company has recorded goodwill for business combinations to the extent the purchase price exceeded the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets of each acquired company. The Company’s goodwill currently is comprised of amounts relating to its acquisitions of five ethanol plants and its fuel terminal and distribution business.
	Goodwill is reviewed for impairment at least annually. The qualitative factors of goodwill are assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. Under the first step, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill). If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an indication of goodwill impairment exists for the reporting unit and the entity must perform step two of the impairment test. Under the second step, an impairment loss is recognized for any excess of the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill over the implied fair value of that goodwill. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined by allocating the fair value of the reporting unit in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation and the residual fair value after this allocation is the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill. Fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a discounted cash flow analysis. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, no further analysis is necessary. The Company performs its annual impairment review of goodwill at October 1, and when a triggering event occurs between annual impairment tests. No impairment losses were recorded for the periods reported.
Financing Costs	Financing Costs
	Fees and costs related to securing debt financing are recorded as financing costs. Debt issuance costs are stated at cost and are amortized utilizing the effective interest method for term loans and on a straight-line basis for revolving credit arrangements over the life of the agreements. However, during periods of construction, amortization of such costs is capitalized in construction-in-progress.
Selling, General And Administrative Expenses	Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
	Selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily general and administrative expenses for employee salaries, incentives and benefits; office expenses; director compensation; and professional fees for accounting, legal, consulting, and investor relations activities; as well as non-plant depreciation and amortization costs.
Environmental Expenditures	Environmental Expenditures
	Environmental expenditures that pertain to current operations and relate to future revenue are expensed or capitalized consistent with the Company’s capitalization policy. Probable liabilities incurred that are reasonably estimable are also expensed or capitalized according to this policy and if material, would be disclosed in its quarterly and annual filings. Expenditures that result from the remediation of an existing condition caused by past operations and that do not contribute to future revenue are expensed as incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes compensation cost using a fair value based method whereby compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. The Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to calculate the fair value of options and warrants issued to both employees and non-employees. Stock issued for compensation is valued using the market price of the stock on the date of the related agreement.
Income Taxes	Income Taxes
	The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial reporting carrying amount of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in operating results in the period of enactment. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
	The Company recognizes uncertainties in income taxes within the financial statements under a process by which the likelihood of a tax position is gauged based upon the technical merits of the position, and then a subsequent measurement relates the maximum benefit and the degree of likelihood to determine the amount of benefit recognized in the financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	Effective January 1, 2017, the Company will adopt the amended guidance in ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amended guidance requires revenue recognition to reflect the transfer of promised goods or services to customers and replaces existing revenue recognition guidance. The updated standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the updated standard on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Summary_Of_Significant_Account2

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Schedule Of Estimated Useful Lives Of Assets
		Years
	Plant, buildings and improvements	Oct-40
	Ethanol production equipment	15-40
	Other machinery and equipment	7-May
	Land improvements	20
	Railroad track and equipment	20
	Computer and software	5-Mar
	Office furniture and equipment	7-May

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule Of Disposed Assets And Liabilities
	Amounts of Disposed Assets and Liabilities
	Current assets	$	146,527
	Property and equipment, net		44,640
	Current liabilities		92,386
	Long-term debt, net		27,974
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Schedule Of Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed
	Amounts of Identifiable Assets Acquired
	and Liabilities Assumed
	Accounts receivable			$	119
	Inventory				8,680
	Prepaid expenses and other				2,696
	Property and equipment, net				112,274
	Other assets				4,193
	Current liabilities				-4,260
	Long-term portion of capital leases and
	tax increment financing bond				-7,895
	Other liabilities				-1,489
	Total identifiable net assets			$	114,318

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2014
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets			Significant Other Observable Inputs		Reclassification for Balance Sheet
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		Presentation		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	425,510		$	-	$	-	$	425,510
	Restricted cash		29,742			-		-		29,742
	Margin deposits		24,488			-		-24,488		-
	Inventories carried at market		-			36,411		-		36,411
	Unrealized gains on derivatives		11,877			18,111		6,359		36,347
	Other assets		118			3		-		121
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	491,735		$	54,525	$	-18,129	$	528,131
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized losses on derivatives	$	18,129		$	28,082	$	-18,129	$	28,082
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	18,129		$	28,082	$	-18,129	$	28,082
		Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2013
		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets			Significant Other Observable Inputs		Reclassification for Balance Sheet
		(Level 1)			(Level 2)		Presentation		Total
	Assets:
	Cash and cash equivalents	$	272,027		$	-	$	-	$	272,027
	Restricted cash		26,994			-		-		26,994
	Margin deposits		77,102			-		-77,102		-
	Inventories carried at market		-			23,782		-		23,782
	Unrealized gains on derivatives		3,629			18,712		26,295		48,636
	Other assets (1)		2,200			-		-		2,200
	Total assets measured at fair value	$	381,952		$	42,494	$	-50,807	$	373,639
	Liabilities:
	Unrealized losses on derivatives	$	50,807		$	4,612	$	-50,807	$	4,612
	Other		9			-		-		9
	Total liabilities measured at fair value	$	50,816		$	4,612	$	-50,807	$	4,621
		-1		Represents long-term restricted cash related to the $22.0 million revenue bond of Green Plains Bluffton.

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Information [Abstract]
Summary Of Financial Data
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenues:
	Ethanol production:
	Revenues from external customers (1)	$	-51,424	$	116,272	$	200,443
	Intersegment revenues		2,222,446		1,934,770		1,708,800
	Total segment revenues		2,171,022		2,051,042		1,909,243
	Corn oil production:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		-		-		529
	Intersegment revenues		79,750		69,163		57,315
	Total segment revenues		79,750		69,163		57,844
	Agribusiness:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		100,436		51,883		408,622
	Intersegment revenues		1,208,120		761,835		176,062
	Total segment revenues		1,308,556		813,718		584,684
	Marketing and distribution:
	Revenues from external customers (1)		3,186,599		2,872,856		2,867,276
	Intersegment revenues		171,201		21,790		355
	Total segment revenues		3,357,800		2,894,646		2,867,631
	Revenues including intersegment activity		6,917,128		5,828,569		5,419,402
	Intersegment eliminations		-3,681,517		-2,787,558		-1,942,532
	Revenues as reported	$	3,235,611	$	3,041,011	$	3,476,870
	(1)  Revenues from external customers include realized gains and losses from derivative financial instruments.
	Gross profit (loss):
	Ethanol production	$	236,096	$	79,109	$	-4,895
	Corn oil production		42,937		36,615		32,388
	Agribusiness		14,833		6,258		35,973
	Marketing and distribution		80,326		57,671		32,362
	Intersegment eliminations		606		-6,633		943
		$	374,798	$	173,020	$	96,771
	Operating income (loss):
	Ethanol production	$	214,497	$	63,012	$	-20,393
	Corn oil production		42,651		36,569		32,140
	Agribusiness		8,497		3,324		60,030
	Marketing and distribution		52,669		40,971		17,290
	Intersegment eliminations		666		-6,588		977
	Corporate activities		-32,706		-29,437		-25,159
		$	286,274	$	107,851	$	64,885
	Income (loss) before income taxes:
	Ethanol production	$	198,598	$	44,061	$	-42,430
	Corn oil production		42,655		36,570		32,142
	Agribusiness		5,996		793		54,172
	Marketing and distribution		47,921		37,098		13,768
	Intersegment eliminations		666		-6,588		977
	Corporate activities		-45,406		-39,653		-33,473
		$	250,430	$	72,281	$	25,156
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Depreciation and amortization:
	Ethanol production	$	52,393	$	45,312	$	44,239
	Corn oil production		1,756		1,175		1,156
	Agribusiness		1,441		362		4,209
	Marketing and distribution		3,096		2,836		1,942
	Corporate activities		1,676		1,317		1,282
		$	60,362	$	51,002	$	52,828
	Interest expense:
	Ethanol production	$	22,749	$	18,988	$	22,081
	Corn oil production		-		-		-
	Agribusiness		2,591		2,531		5,881
	Marketing and distribution		5,267		4,079		3,532
	Intersegment eliminations		-238		-982		-1,137
	Corporate activities		9,539		8,741		7,164
		$	39,908	$	33,357	$	37,521
Capital expenditures:
Ethanol production	$	32,050	$	8,469	$	7,637
Corn oil production		8,154		1,782		725
Agribusiness		17,166		6,514		2,006
Marketing and distribution		1,334		2,347		15,791
Corporate activities		2,829		652		617
	$	61,533	$	19,764	$	26,776
Summary Of Total Assets For Operating Segments
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013
	Total assets:
	Ethanol production	$	983,289	$	911,315
	Corn oil production		31,405		28,569
	Agribusiness		234,626		165,570
	Marketing and distribution		305,675		258,361
	Corporate assets		290,123		175,210
	Intersegment eliminations		-16,561		-6,980
		$	1,828,557	$	1,532,045
Schedule Of Revenues By Product
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Revenues:
	Ethanol	$	2,362,812	$	2,339,470	$	2,507,119
	Distillers grains		531,696		488,396		433,088
	Corn oil		99,167		74,251		58,640
	Grain		174,997		92,487		348,413
	Other		66,939		46,407		129,610
		$	3,235,611	$	3,041,011	$	3,476,870

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Inventories [Abstract]
Schedule Of Inventories
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$	34,639	$	56,664
	Grain held for sale		23,027		23,782
	Raw materials		78,095		51,726
	Work-in-process		100,221		11,506
	Supplies and parts		18,985		14,650
		$	254,967	$	158,328

Property_And_Equipment_Tables

Property And Equipment (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Property And Equipment [Abstract]
Schedule Of Components Of Property And Equipment
		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Plant equipment	$	777,987	$	749,627
	Buildings and improvements		159,178		147,663
	Land and improvements		73,819		59,481
	Railroad track and equipment		40,882		39,852
	Construction-in-progress		23,276		3,789
	Computers and software		9,305		7,380
	Office furniture and equipment		2,127		1,662
	Leasehold improvements and other		13,179		12,111
	Total property and equipment		1,099,753		1,021,565
	Less: accumulated depreciation		-274,543		-215,519
	Property and equipment, net	$	825,210	$	806,046

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Schedule Of Fair Values Of Derivative Financial Instruments
		Asset Derivatives'						Liability Derivatives'
		Fair Value at December 31,						Fair Value at December 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
	Derivative financial instruments (1)	$	11,859	-2	$	-28,466	-3	$	-		$	-
	Other assets		3			-			-			-
	Accrued and other liabilities		-			-			28,082			4,612
	Total	$	11,862		$	-28,466		$	28,082		$	4,612
	(1) Derivative financial instruments as reflected on the balance sheet include a margin deposit assets of $24.5 million and $77.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
	(2) Balance at December 31, 2014, includes $0.6 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
	(3)Balance at December 31, 2013, includes $47.1 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
Schedule of Effective Portion of Cash Flow Hedges Recognized In Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Effective Portion of Cash Flow		Year Ended December 31,
	Hedges Recognized in
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)		2014			2013			2012
	Commodity Contracts		$	-299,684		$	-138,589		$	49,999
Schedule Of Gains (Losses) On Derivative Instruments Not Designated In Hedging Relationship [Member]
Schedule Of Gains (Losses) On Derivative Instruments Not Designated In Hedging Relationship
	Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Not		Year Ended December 31,
	Designated in a Hedging Relationship		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	13,369		$	-10,855		$	-6,206
	Cost of goods sold			165			12,701			-12,050
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	13,534		$	1,846		$	-18,256
Schedule Of Gain (Loss) Due To Ineffectiveness Of Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance
	Gains (Losses) Due to Ineffectiveness		Year Ended December 31,
	of Cash Flow Hedges		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	-326		$	-84		$	-10
	Cost of goods sold			481			-490			-
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	155		$	-574		$	-10
Schedule Of Gains (Losses) Reclassified From Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Into Net Income (Loss) [Member]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance
	Gains (Losses) Reclassified from Accumulated		Year Ended December 31,
	Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	into Net Income		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues		$	-257,730		$	-96,736		$	-17,318
	Cost of goods sold			-43,853			-25,852			56,848
	Net increase (decrease) recognized in earnings before tax		$	-301,583		$	-122,588		$	39,530
Schedule Of Gain (Loss) From Fair Value Hedges Of Ethanol Inventory [Member]
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Statement of Financial Performance
	Gains (Losses) from Fair Value		Year Ended December 31,
	Hedges of Inventory		2014			2013			2012
	Cost of goods sold (effect of change in inventory value)		$	304		$	102		$	-
	Cost of goods sold  (effect of fair value hedge)			2,612			674			-
	Ineffectiveness recognized in earnings before tax		$	2,916		$	776		$	-
Schedule Of Volumes of Open Commodity Derivative Positions [Member]
Schedule Of Open Positition Derivative Financial Instruments
	31-Dec-14
			Exchange Traded		Non-Exchange Traded
	Derivative Instruments		Net Long & (Short) (1)		Long (2)		(Short) (2)		Unit of Measure		Commodity
	Futures		-4,410						Bushels		Corn, Soybeans and Wheat
	Futures		3,675	-3					Bushels		Corn
	Futures		-9,010	-4					Bushels		Corn
	Futures		46,410						Gallons		Ethanol
	Futures		-82,950	-3					Gallons		Ethanol
	Futures		958						mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Futures		-4,318	-4					mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Futures		1,320						Pounds		Cattle
	Futures		-37,040	-3					Pounds		Cattle
	Futures		-2,700						Pounds		Soybean Oil
	Options		-2,461						Bushels		Corn, Soybeans and Wheat
	Options		-15,095						Gallons		Ethanol
	Options		-30						mmBTU		Natural Gas
	Forwards				19,041		-16,251		Bushels		Corn and Soybeans
	Forwards				8,046		-160,901		Gallons		Ethanol
	Forwards				104		-461		Tons		Distillers Grains
	Forwards				3,744		-60,490		Pounds		Corn Oil
	Forwards				9,310		-876		mmBTU		Natural Gas
		-1		Exchange traded futures and options are presented on a net long and (short) position basis. Options are presented on a delta-adjusted basis.
		-2		Non-exchange traded forwards are presented on a gross long and (short) position basis including both fixed-price and basis contracts.
		-3		Futures used for cash flow hedges.
		-4		Futures used for fair value hedges

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule Of The Components Of Long-Term Debt
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Green Plains Bluffton:
	$70.0 million term loan	$	-		$	26,621
	$20.0 million revolving term loan		-			15,000
	$22.0 million revenue bond		-			15,780
	Green Plains Central City:
	$55.0 million term loan		-			33,100
	$30.5 million revolving term loan		-			17,739
	Equipment financing loan		-			36
	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River:
	$62.5 million term loan		40,000			50,000
	$27.0 million term loan		-			26,756
	Tax increment financing bond		3,589			3,626
	Capital leases on grain facilities		9,994			9,994
	Capital lease on equipment and other		4,192			5,489
	Green Plains Holdings II:
	$46.8 million term loans		29,510			15,914
	$20.0 million revolving term loan		6,000			31,960
	Green Plains Obion:
	$60.0 million term loan		-			3,879
	$37.4 million revolving term loan		27,400			28,400
	Equipment financing loan		-			126
	Economic development grant		1,156			1,245
	Green Plains Ord:
	$25.0 million term loan		-			15,143
	$13.0 million revolving term loan		-			2,151
	Green Plains Otter Tail:
	$30.3 million term loan		-			17,960
	$19.2 million note payable		-			19,151
	Equipment financing loan		11			-
	Green Plains Processing:
	$225.0 million term loan		213,775			-
	Green Plains Shenandoah:
	$17.0 million revolving term loan		-			9,000
	Green Plains Superior:
	$40.0 million term loan		-			9,750
	$15.6 million revolving term loan		15,025			8,000
	Equipment financing loan		-			18
	Corporate:
	$90.0 million convertible notes		-			90,000
	$120.0 million convertible notes		100,845			96,653
	Capital lease		-			188
	Other		11,408			10,000
	Total long-term debt		462,905			563,679
	Less: current portion of long-term debt		-63,465			-82,933
	Long-term debt	$	399,440		$	480,746
Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt
	Year Ending December 31,		Amount
	2015		$	63,465
	2016			13,070
	2017			14,963
	2018			134,949
	2019			22,365
	Thereafter			233,248
	Total		$	482,060
Schedule of Financial Covenants
	Maintenance of working capital, including unused portion of revolver, as follows:
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	$15.0 million
	•	Green Plains Obion	$9.0 million
	•	Green Plains Superior	$3.0 million
	Maintenance of net worth as follows:
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	$100.0 million plus 25% of net income before tax
	•	Green Plains Obion	$95.0 million plus 25% of net income before tax
	•	Green Plains Superior	$33.0 million
	Maintenance of annual fixed charge coverage ratios:
	•	Green Plains Processing	1.25 to 1.00
	Maintenance of annual debt service coverage ratios:
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	2.25 to 1.00
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	1.25 to 1.00
	•	Green Plains Obion	1.25 to 1.00
	•	Green Plains Superior	1.00 to 1.00
	Maintenance of annual leverage ratio:
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	3.25 to 1.00 (decreasing to 2.00 to 1.00 in 2015)
	•	Green Plains Processing	4.00 to 1.00 (decreasing to 3.25 to 1.00 in 2019)
	Annual capital expenditures will be limited as follows:
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River	$2.0 million growth and $4.0 million maintenance
Schedule of Allowable Dividends
	•	Green Plains Fairmont	Up to amounts equal to permitted tax
		and Green Plains Wood River	distributions, as defined in the loan agreement
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
			unlimited if working capital is greater than or
			equal to $20.0 million
	•	Green Plains Obion	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
			unlimited if working capital is greater than or
			equal to $15.0 million
	•	Green Plains Processing	Amounts may be distributed after quarterly free
			cash flow payment is made, subject to certain
			limitations, as defined in the loan agreement
	•	Green Plains Superior	Up to 40% of net profit before tax, and
			unlimited after free cash flow payment is made
Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule Of Principal Payments Of Long-Term Debt
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and
		Green Plains Wood River	$1.3 million per quarter
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	$1.8 million per quarter
	•	Green Plains Processing	$0.6 million per quarter
Schedule Of Maturity Dates Of Long-Term Debt
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and
		Green Plains Wood River	27-Nov-15
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	1-Jul-19
	•	Green Plains Processing	30-Jun-20
Schedule Of Free Cash Flow Payments Annual Threshold
	•	Green Plains Fairmont and
		Green Plains Wood River	$4.0 million
	•	Green Plains Processing	$54.0 million annually, $27.0 million for 2014
Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Schedule Of Maturity Dates Of Long-Term Debt
	•	Green Plains Holdings II	1-Jul-19
	•	Green Plains Obion	20-May-20
	•	Green Plains Superior	20-Oct-19

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Schedule Of Stock Option Activity
		Shares	Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	610,250	$	10.71	3.4	$	5,310
	Granted	-		-
	Exercised	-270,500		10.56			5,270
	Forfeited	-		-
	Expired	-		-
	Outstanding at December 31, 2014	339,750	$	10.82	3.1	$	4,763
	Exercisable at December 31, 2014 (1)	339,750	$	10.82	3.1	$	4,763
	Includes in-the-money options totaling 339,750 shares at a weighted-average exercise price of $10.82.
Schedule Of Non-Vested Stock Award And DSU Activity
		Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value		Weighted-Average Remaining Vesting Term
					(in years)
	Nonvested at December 31, 2013	738,950	$	10.39
	Granted	407,393		23.56
	Forfeited	-5,516		10.88
	Vested	-462,323		13.49
	Nonvested at December 31, 2014	678,504	$	16.18	1.8

Earnings_Per_Share_Tables

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014		2013		2012
	Basic EPS:
	Net income attributable to Green Plains	$	159,504	$	43,391	$	11,779
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		36,467		30,183		30,296
	EPS - basic	$	4.37	$	1.44	$	0.39
	Diluted EPS:
	Net income attributable to Green Plains	$	159,504	$	43,391	$	11,779
	Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax effect:
	5.75% Notes		576		3,578		-
	3.25% Notes		1,379		1,473		-
	Net income attributable to Green Plains - diluted	$	161,459	$	48,442	$	11,779
	Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		36,467		30,183		30,296
	Effect of dilutive convertible debt:
	5.75% Notes		1,006		6,286		-
	3.25% Notes		3,040		1,624		-
	Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards		217		211		167
	Weighted average shares oustanding - diluted		40,730		38,304		30,463
	EPS - diluted	$	3.96	$	1.26	$	0.39

Stockholders_Equity_Tables

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders’ Equity [Abstract]
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Table Text Block]
		Year Ended December 31,						Statements of Operations
		2014		2013		2012		Classification
	Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
	Ethanol commodity derivatives	$	-257,730	$	-96,736	$	-17,318	Revenues
	Corn commodity derivatives		-43,853		-25,852		56,848	Cost of goods sold
	Total		-301,583		-122,588		39,530	Income (loss) before income taxes
	Income tax benefit		-139,754		-46,941		15,032	Income tax expense (benefit)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated
	other comprehensive income (loss)	$	-161,829	$	-75,647	$	24,498

Income_Taxes_Tables

Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Schedule Of Income Tax Expense
			Year Ended December 31,
			2014			2013			2012
	Current		$	67,389		$	1,397		$	2,689
	Deferred			23,537			27,493			10,704
	Total		$	90,926		$	28,890		$	13,393
Schedule Of Differences Between The Income Tax Expense (Benefit)Computed At The Statutory Federal income Tax Rate And As Presented On The Consolidated Statements Of Operations
			Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Tax expense at federal statutory
	rate of 35%	$	87,650		$	25,299		$	8,810
	State income tax expense, net
	of federal benefit		6,810			2,002			4,036
	Qualified production activities deduction		-4,637			-			-
	Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance
	against deferred tax assets		-			-709			-
	Nondeductible compensation		848			1,491			-
	Other		255			807			547
	Income tax expense	$	90,926		$	28,890		$	13,393
Schedule Of Significant Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities
		December 31,
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Net operating loss carryforwards - State	$	471		$	1,232
	Tax credit carryforwards - Federal		-			2,062
	Tax credit carryforwards - State		4,910			5,662
	Derivative financial instruments		975			2,297
	Organizational and start-up costs		851			2,371
	Stock-based compensation		2,868			2,975
	Accrued expenses		7,196			7,219
	Capital leases		3,743			-
	Other		1,532			1,690
	Total deferred tax assets		22,546			25,508
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Convertible debt	$	-6,878		$	-8,444
	Fixed assets		-118,132			-94,864
	Investment in partnerships		-1,534			-1,786
	Total deferred tax liabilities		-126,544			-105,094
	Valuation allowance		-3,742			-3,765
	Deferred income taxes	$	-107,740		$	-83,351
Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amounts Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	Unrecognized Tax Benefits
	Balance at January 1, 2014	$	279
	Additions for current year tax positions		-
	Additions for prior year tax positions		33
	Reductions for prior year tax positions		-
	Reductions as a result of a lapse of applicable statue of expirations		-
	Balance at December 31, 2014	$	312

Commitments_And_Contingencies_

Commitments And Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
Schedule Of Aggregate Minimum Lease Payments
	Year Ending December 31,	Amount
	2015	$	30,316
	2016		26,910
	2017		16,810
	2018		13,835
	2019		9,989
	Thereafter		8,923
	Total	$	106,783

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Table

Quarterly Financial Data (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Quarterly Financial Data[Abstract]
Schedule Of Quarterly Financial Information
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
		2014		2014		2014		2014
	Revenues	$	829,939	$	833,925	$	837,858	$	733,889
	Cost of goods sold		732,288		735,842		759,543		633,140
	Operating income		73,929		75,055		58,946		78,343
	Other expense		-9,315		-9,056		-8,857		-8,615
	Income tax expense		22,377		24,250		17,775		26,525
	Net income attributable to Green Plains		42,237		41,749		32,314		43,203
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		1.12		1.11		0.86		1.30
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		1.07		1.03		0.82		1.04
		Three Months Ended
		December 31,		September 30,		June 30,		March 31,
		2013		2013		2013		2013
	Revenues	$	712,869	$	757,971	$	804,696	$	765,476
	Cost of goods sold		640,697		716,947		772,085		738,262
	Operating income		51,051		25,534		18,562		12,704
	Other expense		-10,219		-8,491		-8,309		-8,551
	Income tax expense		15,371		7,633		4,288		1,598
	Net income attributable to Green Plains		25,461		9,410		5,965		2,555
	Basic earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		0.84		0.31		0.20		0.09
	Diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains		0.65		0.28		0.19		0.08

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial1

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Scheduled Long-Term Debt Repayments
	Year Ending December 31,		Amount
	2015		$	63,465
	2016			13,070
	2017			14,963
	2018			134,949
	2019			22,365
	Thereafter			233,248
	Total		$	482,060
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Balance Sheet - Parent Company Only
			December 31,
			2014			2013
	ASSETS
	Current assets
	Cash and cash equivalents		$	252,689		$	143,852
	Restricted cash			6,309			-
	Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of
	$196 and $69, respectively			268			128
	Prepaid expenses and other			893			860
	Due from subsidiaries			30,823			20,987
	Total current assets			290,982			165,827
	Property and equipment, net			4,147			3,052
	Investment in consolidated subsidiaries			611,311			568,410
	Other assets			18,323			19,374
	Total assets		$	924,763		$	756,663
	LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
	Current liabilities
	Accounts payable		$	2,098		$	4,310
	Accrued liabilities			20,057			14,344
	Current maturities of long-term debt			-			188
	Total current liabilities			22,155			18,842
	Long-term debt			100,845			186,654
	Deferred income taxes			4,010			5,446
	Other liabilities			304			363
	Total liabilities			127,314			211,305
	Stockholders' equity
	Common stock			45			38
	Additional paid-in capital			569,431			468,962
	Retained earnings			299,101			148,505
	Accumulated other comprehensive loss			-5,320			-6,339
	Treasury stock			-65,808			-65,808
	Total stockholders' equity			797,449			545,358
	Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	924,763		$	756,663
Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Operations - Parent Company Only
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	-		$	88		$	-
	Operating (loss)		-			-88			-
	Other income (expense)
	Interest income		462			192			112
	Interest expense		-9,539			-8,742			-7,165
	Other, net		-3,860			-2,647			-2,399
	Total other expense		-12,937			-11,197			-9,452
	Loss before income taxes		-12,937			-11,285			-9,452
	Income tax benefit		4,361			5,018			218
	Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries		-8,576			-6,267			-9,234
	Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries		168,080			49,658			21,013
	Net income	$	159,504		$	43,391		$	11,779
Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Cash Flows - Parent Company Only
		Year Ended December 31,
		2014			2013			2012
	Cash flows from operating activities:	$	-7,653		$	-1,924		$	-279
	Net cash provided (used) by operating activities		-7,653			-1,924			-279
	Cash flows from investing activities:
	Purchases of property and equipment		-2,829			-652			-616
	Proceeds on disposal of assets, net		-			42			-
	Investment in subsidiaries, net		125,179			-53,754			54,426
	Issuance of notes receivable from subsidiaries,
	net of payments received		9,500			15,356			-6,832
	Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries		-4,309			-3,264			-7,998
	Net cash provided (used) by investing activities		127,541			-42,272			38,980
	Cash flows from financing activities:
	Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		-			120,000			-
	Payments of principal on long-term debt		-238			-1,841			-204
	Payments on short-term borrowings		-			-27,162			-
	Payments for repurchase of common stock		-			-			-10,445
	Change in restricted cash		-6,309			-			-
	Payment of cash dividends		-8,908			-2,426			-
	Payment of loan fees		-			-5,072			-
	Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		4,404			4,498			-
	Other, net		-			-			452
	Net cash provided (used) by financing activities		-11,051			87,997			-10,197
	Net change in cash and equivalents		108,837			43,801			28,504
	Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		143,852			100,051			71,547
	Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	252,689		$	143,852		$	100,051
Schedule Of Aggregate Minimum Lease Payments
	Year Ending December 31,		Amount
	2015		$	1,085
	2016			1,088
	2017			296
	2018			120
	2019			122
	Thereafter			249
	Total		$	2,960
Scheduled Long-Term Debt Repayments
	Year Ending December 31,		Amount
	2015		$	-
	2016			-
	2017			-
	2018			120,000
	2019			-
	Thereafter			-
	Total		$	120,000

Basis_Of_Presentation_And_Desc2

Basis Of Presentation And Description Of Business (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
	segment
	gal
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Number of operating segments	4
Annual ethanol production capacity, gallons	1,000,000,000
Ethanol Production Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Number of ethanol plants	12
Annual corn consumption capacity, bushels	360,000,000
Annual distillers grains production capacity, tons	2,900,000
Corn Oil Production Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Annual corn oil production, pounds	250,000,000
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Total Grain Storage Capacity	42,200,000
Ethanol plants, storage capacity, bushels	29,400,000
Grain elevator storage capacity, bushels	9,000,000
Number of grain elevators	4
Cattle Grain Storage Capacity	3,800,000
Head of Cattle Capacity	70,000
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Number of blending and terminaling facilities	8
Number of states, in south central U.S., served by BlendStar LLC blending and terminaling facilities	7
Blending and terminaling throughput capacity, gallons	822,000,000

Summary_Of_Significant_Account3

Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies (Schedule Of Estimated Useful Lives Of Assets) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Plant, Buildings And Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	10
Plant, Buildings And Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	-40
Ethanol Production Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	15
Ethanol Production Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	-40
Other Machinery And Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5
Other Machinery And Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	-7
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	20
Railroad Track And Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	20
Computer And Software [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	3
Computer And Software [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	-5
Office Furniture And Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	5
Office Furniture And Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful lives	-7

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_1

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
	gal
Disposition Of Assets [Line Items]
Cash proceeds from sale of grain elevators	$9,258,000	$245,000	$117,711,000
Pre-tax gain from sale of grain elevators			47,133,000
Expected annual ethanol production capacity	1,000,000,000
Purchase price of acquisition	23,900,000	123,301,000	1,490,000
Cash equity utilized to reduce outstanding debt	557,850,000	303,495,000	120,153,000
Disposed Asset [Member]
Disposition Of Assets [Line Items]
Number of grain elevators sold in divestiture	12
Grain elevator storage capacity, bushels	32,600,000
Percent of agribusiness grain storage capacity	83.00%
Gross proceeds from the sale, including the assumptions of debt, current liabilities and fees	241,000,000
Cash proceeds from sale of grain elevators	117,700,000
Pre-tax gain from sale of grain elevators	47,100,000
Acquisition Of Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Disposition Of Assets [Line Items]
Expected annual ethanol production capacity	230,000,000
Cash paid for business acquisition	114,300,000
Transaction Costs	800,000
Notes Payable	77,000,000
Number of ethanol plants	2
Consolidated pro forma revenue		3,300,000,000
Consolidated pro forma net income		47,700,000
Capital Lease Obligations Incurred	$10,000,000

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_2

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Schedule Of Disposed Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Line Items]
Current assets	$910,910	$633,305
Property and equipment, net	825,210	806,046
Current liabilities	511,540	409,197
Long-term debt, net	462,905	563,679
Disposed Asset [Member]
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Line Items]
Current assets		146,527
Property and equipment, net		44,640
Disposed Liability [Member]
Acquisitions And Dispositions [Line Items]
Current liabilities		92,386
Long-term debt, net		$27,974

Acquisitions_and_Dispositions_3

Acquisitions and Dispositions (Schedule Of Identifiable Assets Acquired And Liabilities Assumed) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$40,877	$40,877
Purchase Price	23,900	123,301	1,490
Acquisition Of Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable	119
Inventory	8,680
Prepaid expenses and other	2,696
Property and equipment, net	112,274
Other assets	4,193
Current liabilities	-4,260
Long-term portion of capital lease and tax increment financing bond	-7,895
Other	-1,489
Total identifiable net assets	$114,318

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Narrati

Fair Value Disclosures (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value of debt	$676.50	$775.70
Book Value Of Debt	672.8	735.2
Fair value of accounts receivable	138.1	106.8
Fair value of accounts payable	$170.20	$112

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Schedul

Fair Value Disclosures (Schedule Of Assets And Liabilities Fair Value) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$425,510,000	$272,027,000
Restricted cash	29,742,000	26,994,000
Margin deposits
Inventories carried at market	36,411,000	23,782,000
Unrealized gains on derivatives	36,347,000	48,636,000
Other assets	121,000	2,200,000	[1]
Total assets measured at fair value	528,131,000	373,639,000
Liabilities
Unrealized losses on derivatives	28,082,000	4,612,000
Other		9,000
Total liabilities measured at fair value	28,082,000	4,621,000
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		22,000,000
Quoted Prices In Active Markets For Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	425,510,000	272,027,000
Restricted cash	29,742,000	26,994,000
Margin deposits	24,488,000	77,102,000
Inventories carried at market
Unrealized gains on derivatives	11,877,000	3,629,000
Other assets	118,000	2,200,000	[1]
Total assets measured at fair value	491,735,000	381,952,000
Liabilities
Unrealized losses on derivatives	18,129,000	50,807,000
Other		9,000
Total liabilities measured at fair value	18,129,000	50,816,000
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Assets
Inventories carried at market	36,411,000	23,782,000
Unrealized gains on derivatives	18,111,000	18,712,000
Other assets	3,000
Total assets measured at fair value	54,525,000	42,494,000
Liabilities
Unrealized losses on derivatives	28,082,000	4,612,000
Total liabilities measured at fair value	28,082,000	4,612,000
Reclassification For Balance Sheet Presentation [Member]
Assets
Margin deposits	-24,488,000	-77,102,000
Unrealized gains on derivatives	6,359,000	26,295,000
Total assets measured at fair value	-18,129,000	-50,807,000
Liabilities
Unrealized losses on derivatives	-18,129,000	-50,807,000
Total liabilities measured at fair value	($18,129,000)	($50,807,000)
[1]	Represents long-term restricted cash related to the $22.0 million revenue bond of Green Plains Bluffton.

Segment_Information_Narrative_

Segment Information (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
									segment
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments									4
Revenues	$829,939	$833,925	$837,858	$733,889	$712,869	$757,971	$804,696	$765,476	$3,235,611	$3,041,011	$3,476,870
Customer Concentration Risk [Member]
Revenue, Major Customer [Line Items]
Segment Reporting, Disclosure of Major Customers									two
Concentration Risk, Percentage									10.00%
Revenues									$325,000

Segment_Information_Summary_Of

Segment Information (Summary Of Financial Data) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013		Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$829,939	$833,925	$837,858	$733,889	$712,869	$757,971	$804,696	$765,476	$3,235,611		$3,041,011		$3,476,870
Gross profit									374,798		173,020		96,771
Operating income	73,929	75,055	58,946	78,343	51,051	25,534	18,562	12,704	286,274		107,851		64,885
Income (loss) before income taxes									250,430		72,281		25,156
Depreciation and amortization									60,362		51,002		52,828
Interest expense									39,908		33,357		37,521
Capital expenditures									61,533		19,764		26,776
Revenue Including Intersegment Activity [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									6,917,128		5,828,569		5,419,402
Ethanol Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,171,022		2,051,042		1,909,243
Gross profit									236,096		79,109		-4,895
Operating income									214,497		63,012		-20,393
Income (loss) before income taxes									198,598		44,061		-42,430
Depreciation and amortization									52,393		45,312		44,239
Interest expense									22,749		18,988		22,081
Capital expenditures									32,050		8,469		7,637
Ethanol Production [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									-51,424	[1]	116,272	[1]	200,443	[1]
Ethanol Production [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,222,446		1,934,770		1,708,800
Corn Oil Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									79,750		69,163		57,844
Gross profit									42,937		36,615		32,388
Operating income									42,651		36,569		32,140
Income (loss) before income taxes									42,655		36,570		32,142
Depreciation and amortization									1,756		1,175		1,156
Capital expenditures									8,154		1,782		725
Corn Oil Production [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues													529	[1]
Corn Oil Production [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									79,750		69,163		57,315
Agribusiness [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,308,556		813,718		584,684
Gross profit									14,833		6,258		35,973
Operating income									8,497		3,324		60,030
Income (loss) before income taxes									5,996		793		54,172
Depreciation and amortization									1,441		362		4,209
Interest expense									2,591		2,531		5,881
Capital expenditures									17,166		6,514		2,006
Agribusiness [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									100,436	[1]	51,883	[1]	408,622	[1]
Agribusiness [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									1,208,120		761,835		176,062
Marketing And Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,357,800		2,894,646		2,867,631
Gross profit									80,326		57,671		32,362
Operating income									52,669		40,971		17,290
Income (loss) before income taxes									47,921		37,098		13,768
Depreciation and amortization									3,096		2,836		1,942
Interest expense									5,267		4,079		3,532
Capital expenditures									1,334		2,347		15,791
Marketing And Distribution [Member] | Revenue From External Customers [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									3,186,599		2,872,856		2,867,276
Marketing And Distribution [Member] | Intersegment Revenue [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									171,201		21,790		355
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									-3,681,517		-2,787,558		-1,942,532
Gross profit									606		-6,633		943
Operating income									666		-6,588		977
Income (loss) before income taxes									666		-6,588		977
Interest expense									-238		-982		-1,137
Corporate Activities [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income									-32,706		-29,437		-25,159
Income (loss) before income taxes									-45,406		-39,653		-33,473
Depreciation and amortization									1,676		1,317		1,282
Interest expense									9,539		8,741		7,164
Capital expenditures									$2,829		$652		$617
[1]	Revenues from external customers include realized gains and losses from derivative financial instruments.

Segment_Information_Summary_Of1

Segment Information (Summary Of Total Assets For Operating Segments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	$1,828,557	$1,532,045
Ethanol Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	983,289	911,315
Corn Oil Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	31,405	28,569
Agribusiness [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	234,626	165,570
Marketing And Distribution [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	305,675	258,361
Corporate Assets [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	290,123	175,210
Intersegment Eliminations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total assets	($16,561)	($6,980)

Segment_Information_Schedule_O

Segment Information (Schedule Of Revenues By Product) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$829,939	$833,925	$837,858	$733,889	$712,869	$757,971	$804,696	$765,476	$3,235,611	$3,041,011	$3,476,870
Ethanol [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									2,362,812	2,339,470	2,507,119
Distillers Grains [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									531,696	488,396	433,088
Corn Oil [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									99,167	74,251	58,640
Grain [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									174,997	92,487	348,413
Other [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues									$66,939	$46,407	$129,610

Inventories_Schedule_Of_Invent

Inventories (Schedule Of Inventories) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventories [Abstract]
Finished goods	$34,639	$56,664
Grain held for sale	23,027	23,782
Raw materials	78,095	51,726
Work-in-process	100,221	11,506
Supplies and parts	18,985	14,650
Inventories	$254,967	$158,328

Property_And_Equipment_Schedul

Property And Equipment (Schedule Of Components Of Property And Equipment) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total property and equipment	$1,099,753	$1,021,565
Less: accumulated depreciation	-274,543	-215,519
Property and equipment, net	825,210	806,046
Plant Equipment [Member]
Total property and equipment	777,987	749,627
Plant, Buildings And Improvements [Member]
Total property and equipment	159,178	147,663
Land And Improvements [Member]
Total property and equipment	73,819	59,481
Railroad Track And Equipment [Member]
Total property and equipment	40,882	39,852
Construction-In-Progress [Member]
Total property and equipment	23,276	3,789
Computer And Software [Member]
Total property and equipment	9,305	7,380
Office Furniture And Equipment [Member]
Total property and equipment	2,127	1,662
Leasehold Improvements And Other [Member]
Total property and equipment	$13,179	$12,111

Goodwill_Details

Goodwill (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$40,877	$40,877
Ethanol Production [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	30,300
Marketing And Distribution [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$10,600

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Financial Instruments [Abstract]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($5,320,000)	($6,339,000)
Energy trading contracts, net in revenue	$8,000,000	($1,200,000)	$500,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Fair Values Of Derivative Financial Instruments) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset	$11,862,000	[1]	($28,466,000)	[2]
Fair value of derivative liability	28,082,000		4,612,000
Margin deposit asset	24,500,000		77,100,000
Net unrealized gains or losses on cash flow hedges	-600,000		-47,100,000
Derivative Financial Instruments [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset	11,859,000	[1],[3]	-28,466,000	[2],[3]
Other Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset	3,000	[1]
Accrued And Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset		[1]
Fair value of derivative liability	$28,082,000		$4,612,000
[1]	Balance at December 31, 2014, includes $0.6 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
[2]	Balance at December 31, 2013, includes $47.1 million of net unrealized losses on derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedging instruments.
[3]	Derivative financial instruments as reflected on the balance sheet include a margin deposit assets of $24.5 million and $77.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Gain Or Loss Recognized In Income And Other Comprehensive Income) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Not Designated in a Hedging Relationship	$13,534	$1,846	($18,256)
Gain (Loss) Due to Ineffectiveness of Cash Flow Hedges	155	-574	-10
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-301,583	-122,588	39,530
Ineffectiveness recognized in earnings before tax	2,916	776
Revenue [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Not Designated in a Hedging Relationship	13,369	-10,855	-6,206
Gain (Loss) Due to Ineffectiveness of Cash Flow Hedges	-326	-84	-10
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-257,730	-96,736	-17,318
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments Not Designated in a Hedging Relationship	165	12,701	-12,050
Gain (Loss) Due to Ineffectiveness of Cash Flow Hedges	481	-490
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-43,853	-25,852	56,848
Fair value hedge effect of change in inventory value	304	102
Effect of fair value hedge	$2,612	$674

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments (Commodity Contracts) (Details) (Commodity Contracts [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Commodity Contracts [Member]
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Effective Portion of Cash Flow Hedges Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	($299,684)	($138,589)	$49,999

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen6

Derivative Financial Instruments (Schedule Of Volumes Of Open Commodity Derivative Positions) (Details)	Dec. 31, 2014
	contract
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Corn, Soybeans And Wheat In Bushels [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-4,410,000
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Corn In Bushels [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	3,675,000	[1]
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Corn In Bushels [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-9,010,000	[2]
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Ethanol In Gallons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	46,410,000
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Ethanol In Gallons [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-82,950,000	[1]
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Natural Gas In mmBTU [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	958,000
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Natural Gas In mmBTU [Member] | Fair Value Hedging [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-4,318,000	[2]
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Cattle In Pounds [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	1,320,000
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Cattle In Pounds [Member] | Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-37,040,000	[1]
Futures [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Soybean Oil in Pounds [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-2,700,000
Options [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Corn, Soybeans And Wheat In Bushels [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-2,461,000
Options [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Ethanol In Gallons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-15,095,000
Options [Member] | Exchange Traded Net Long & Short [Member] | Natural Gas In mmBTU [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-30,000
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Long [Member] | Ethanol In Gallons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	8,046,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Long [Member] | Natural Gas In mmBTU [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	9,310,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Long [Member] | Corn And Soybeans In Bushels [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	19,041,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Long [Member] | Distillers Grains In Tons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	104,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Long [Member] | Corn Oil in Pounds [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	3,744,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Short [Member] | Ethanol In Gallons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-160,901,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Short [Member] | Natural Gas In mmBTU [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-876,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Short [Member] | Corn And Soybeans In Bushels [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-16,251,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Short [Member] | Distillers Grains In Tons [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-461,000	[3]
Forwards [Member] | Non-Exchange Traded Short [Member] | Corn Oil in Pounds [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Volumes of open commodity derivatives	-60,490,000	[3]
[1]	Futures used for cash flow hedges.
[2]	Futures used for fair value hedges
[3]	Non-exchange traded forwards are presented on a gross long and (short) position basis including both fixed-price and basis contracts.

Debt_Schedule_Of_The_Component

Debt (Schedule Of The Components Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	$462,905,000	$563,679,000
Less: current portion of long-term debt	-63,465,000	-82,933,000
Long-term Debt, Excluding Current Maturities	399,440,000	480,746,000
Debt instrument amount		22,000,000
Notes Due 2015 [Member] | Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		90,000,000
Debt instrument amount	90,000,000
3.25% Notes due 2018 [Member] | Convertible Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	100,845,000	96,653,000
Debt instrument amount	120,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		26,621,000
Debt instrument amount	70,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		15,000,000
Debt instrument amount	20,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Revenue Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		15,780,000
Debt instrument amount	22,000,000
Green Plains Central City [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		33,100,000
Debt instrument amount	55,000,000
Green Plains Central City [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		17,739,000
Debt instrument amount	30,500,000
Green Plains Central City [Member] | Equipment Financing Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		36,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount			50,000,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Tax Increment Financing Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	3,589,000	3,626,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		26,756,000
Debt instrument amount	27,000,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Term Loan I [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	40,000,000	50,000,000
Debt instrument amount	62,500,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Equipment Financing Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	4,192,000	5,489,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Capital Lease Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	9,994,000	9,994,000
Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	29,510,000	15,914,000
Debt instrument amount	46,800,000
Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	6,000,000	31,960,000
Debt instrument amount	20,000,000
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		3,879,000
Debt instrument amount	60,000,000
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	27,400,000	28,400,000
Debt instrument amount	37,400,000
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Equipment Financing Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		126,000
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Economic Development Grant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	1,156,000	1,245,000
Green Plains Ord [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		15,143,000
Debt instrument amount	25,000,000
Green Plains Ord [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		2,151,000
Debt instrument amount	13,000,000
Green Plains Processing [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	213,775,000
Debt instrument amount	225,000,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		17,960,000
Debt instrument amount	30,300,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Note Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		19,151,000
Debt instrument amount	19,200,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Equipment Financing Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	11,000
Green Plains Shenandoah [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		9,000,000
Debt instrument amount	17,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount				10,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		9,750,000
Debt instrument amount	40,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	15,025,000	8,000,000
Debt instrument amount	15,600,000
Green Plains Superior [Member] | Equipment Financing Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		18,000
Corporate [Member] | Capital Lease Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt		188,000
Corporate [Member] | Other Debt Obligations [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	$11,408,000	$10,000,000

Debt_Schedule_Of_Maturities_Of

Debt (Schedule Of Maturities Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt [Abstract]
2015	$63,465
2016	13,070
2017	14,963
2018	134,949
2019	22,365
Thereafter	233,248
Total	$482,060

Debt_Narrative_Shortterm_notes

Debt (Narrative - Short-term notes payable and other borrowings) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	$22,000,000
Green Plains Grain [Member] | Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	95,000,000	37,000,000
Green Plains Cattle [Member] | Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding		77,000,000
Green Plains Trade [Member] | Revolving Line Of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding	76,500,000	95,900,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount			$50,000,000

Debt_Narrative_Ethanol_Product

Debt (Narrative - Ethanol Production Segment) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount		$22,000,000
Expected outstanding balance upon maturity	482,060,000
Restricted cash	29,742,000	26,994,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	6.25%
Debt instrument amount			50,000,000
Debt maturity dates	27-Nov-15
Aggregate of future payments necessary to discontinue free cash flow payments	16,000,000
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	27,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	70,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	20,000,000
Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Revenue Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	22,000,000
Green Plains Central City [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	55,000,000
Green Plains Central City [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	30,500,000
Green Plains Holdings II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%
Debt maturity dates	1-Jul-19
Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	46,800,000
Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	20,000,000
Green Plains Obion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	60,000,000
Green Plains Obion [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	37,400,000
Green Plains Ord [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	25,000,000
Green Plains Ord [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	13,000,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
New Market Tax Credits Debt Forgiveness	2,200,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	30,300,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Revenue Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	1.50%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	4.00%
Green Plains Processing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	5.50%
Debt instrument, floor interest rate	1.00%
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	6.50%
Debt maturity dates	30-Jun-20
Green Plains Processing [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	225,000,000
Green Plains Shenandoah [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	17,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%
Debt instrument amount				10,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	40,000,000
Green Plains Superior [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	15,600,000
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument unused borrowing capacity fee, percentage	0.65%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument unused borrowing capacity fee, percentage	0.25%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, floor interest rate	1.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	5.50%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	4.50%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	4.50%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR	3.85%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Revenue Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	7.50%
Debt instrument amount	22,000,000
Principal payments (plus interest)	1,500,000
Final principal and interest payment on September 1, 2019	3,700,000
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Central City [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Central City [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	8.22%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	1-Jul-19
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Obion [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Obion [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Obion [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable advances decrease	800,000
Debt maturity dates	20-May-20
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Ord [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Ord [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Revenue Bond [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	19,200,000
Principal payments (plus interest)	300,000
Debt maturity dates	1-Sep-18
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Processing [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Processing [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Shenandoah [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Shenandoah [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Superior [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	75.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Superior [Member] | Term Loan [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, used to determine annual payments	50.00%
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Superior [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable advances decrease	$600,000
Debt maturity dates	20-Oct-19

Debt_Narrative_Agribusiness_Se

Debt (Narrative - Agribusiness Segment, Marketing And Distribution Segment, Corporate Activities, Capitalized Interest, And Restricted Net Assets) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount				$22,000,000
Percentage Of Net Income Added To Base Net Worth Compliance Limit	50.00%
Value of common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% notes	89,950,000
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Working capital	23,000,000
Net worth	26,300,000
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.25
Annual Leverage Ratio	6
Annual capital expenditures	15,000,000
Green Plains Cattle [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Additional amounts available under facility	50,000,000
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	100,000,000
Interest rate added to LIBOR or lender's commercial floating rate	2.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	100,000,000
Working capital	15,000,000
Net worth	20,000,000
Annual Leverage Ratio	3.5
Annual capital expenditures	3,000,000
Green Plains Cattle [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR or lender's commercial floating rate	3.00%
Green Plains Cattle [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate added to LIBOR or lender's commercial floating rate	2.00%
Green Plains Cattle [Member] | Previous Debt Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	15,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	15,000,000
Agribusiness Segment [Member] | Seasonal Borrowings [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	50,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	50,000,000
Agribusiness Segment [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable Dividends As Percentage Of Net Profit Before Tax	40.00%
Debt instrument amount	125,000,000
Additional amounts available under facility	75,000,000
Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity	250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	250,000,000
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member] | Green Plains Trade [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Undrawn Availability of Revolving Credit Facility On A ProForma Basis	10,000,000
Allowable Dividends As Percentage Of Net Profit Before Tax	50.00%
Debt instrument amount	150,000,000
Restricted cash	22,900,000
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.15
Annual capital expenditures	1,000,000
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member] | Green Plains Trade [Member] | Previous Debt Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	130,000,000
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member] | BlendStar LLC [member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Anticipated Tax Credits	5,000,000
Statutory Life In Years	7 years
Principal payments (plus interest)	200,000
Debt instrument stated percentage	1.00%
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent	8,100,000
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member] | BlendStar LLC [member] | Note Payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	10,000,000
Corporate Activities [Member] | 3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Issuance Costs Assigned To Liability	4,000,000
Convertible Debt Cross Default Threshold	10,000,000
Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage	8.21%
Debt instrument amount	120,000,000
Debt instrument stated percentage	3.25%
Debt conversion amount	1,000
Debt conversion price	$20.81
Conversion price percentage	140.00%
Principal amount of notes, percentage	100.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage	8.21%
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	24,500,000
Debt Issuance Cost	5,100,000
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$0.04
Shares of common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% Notes	48.0607
Corporate Activities [Member] | 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument amount	90,000,000
Debt instrument stated percentage	5.75%
Debt conversion rate shares		72.6961	72.5846
Debt conversion amount	1,000
Value of common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% notes	89,950,000
Shares of common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% Notes	6,532,713
Capitalized Interest [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Capitalized interest	191,000			0	285,000
Restricted Net Assets [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted assets	$681,400,000

Debt_Schedule_Of_Principal_Pay

Debt (Schedule Of Principal Payments Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (Ethanol Production Segment [Member], Term Loan [Member], USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments, periodic	$1.30
Green Plains Holdings II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments, periodic	1.8
Green Plains Processing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Scheduled principal payments, periodic	$0.60

Debt_Schedule_Of_Maturity_Date

Debt (Schedule Of Maturity Dates Of Long-Term Debt) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	27-Nov-15
Green Plains Holdings II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	1-Jul-19
Green Plains Processing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	30-Jun-20
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Holdings II [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	1-Jul-19
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Obion [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	20-May-20
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Superior [Member] | Revolving Term Loans [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt maturity dates	20-Oct-19

Debt_Schedule_Of_Free_Cash_Flo

Debt (Schedule Of Free Cash Flow Payments Annual Threshold) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Green Plains Processing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Free cash flow payment annual threshold	$54
Former Free Cash Flow Payment Annual Threshold	27
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Green Plains Bluffton [Member] | Term Loan [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Free cash flow payment annual threshold	$4

Debt_Schedule_of_Financial_Cov

Debt (Schedule of Financial Covenants) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage Of Net Income Added To Base Net Worth Compliance Limit	50.00%
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual Leverage Ratio	3.25
Debt service coverage ratio	2.25
Annual capital expenditures	2
Annual Capital Maintenance Expenditures Maximum	4
Green Plains Fairmont and Green Plains Wood River [Member] | Future Covenant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual Leverage Ratio	2
Green Plains Holdings II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Working capital	15
Net worth	100
Percentage Of Net Income Added To Base Net Worth Compliance Limit	25.00%
Debt service coverage ratio	1.25
Green Plains Obion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Working capital	9
Net worth	95
Percentage Of Net Income Added To Base Net Worth Compliance Limit	25.00%
Debt service coverage ratio	1.25
Green Plains Processing [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.25
Annual Leverage Ratio	4
Green Plains Processing [Member] | Future Covenant [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Annual Leverage Ratio	3.25
Green Plains Superior [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Working capital	3
Net worth	33
Debt service coverage ratio	1
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Working capital	23
Net worth	26.3
Fixed charge coverage ratio	1.25
Annual Leverage Ratio	6
Annual capital expenditures	15

Debt_Schedule_of_Allowable_Div

Debt (Schedule of Allowable Dividends) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Green Plains Holdings II [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%
Working Capital Threshold For Unlimited Dividend Distributions	$20
Green Plains Obion [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%
Working Capital Threshold For Unlimited Dividend Distributions	$15
Green Plains Superior [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Allowable dividends as percentage of net profit before tax	40.00%

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Compensation costs expensed	$7.20	$5.50	$5.50
Unrecognized compensation costs	$6.60
Compensation expected to be recognized, weighted-average period in years	1 year 9 months 18 days
Potential tax benefit, percentage	37.50%
Equity Incentive Plans [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares authorized	3,500,000
Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable options, expiration period, years	8 years
Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Exercisable options, expiration period, years	5 years

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule of Stock Option Valuation Assumptions) (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Expected life	6 years
Interest rate	0.63%
Volatility	76.26%

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu1

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Stock Option Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Shares	610,250
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.71
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	3 years 1 month 6 days	3 years 4 months 24 days
Outstanding at December 31, 2013, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$5,310
Exercised, Shares	-270,500
Exercised, Weighted Average Exercise price	$10.56
Exercised, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	5,270
Outstanding at December 31, 2014, Shares	339,750	610,250
Outstanding at December 31, 2014, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.82	$10.71
Outstanding at December 31, 2014, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual	3 years 1 month 6 days	3 years 4 months 24 days
Outstanding at December 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	4,763	5,310
Exercisable at December 31, 2014, Shares	339,750
Exercisable at December 31, 2014, Weighted Average Exercise Price	$10.82
Exercisable at December 31, 2014, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual	3 years 1 month 6 days
Exercisable at December 31, 2014, Aggregate Intrinsic Value	$4,763
In-the-money options, shares	339,750
In-the-money options, weighted-average exercise price	$10.82

StockBased_Compensation_Schedu2

Stock-Based Compensation (Schedule Of Non-Vested Stock Award And DSU Activity) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation [Abstract]
Nonvested at December 31, 2013, Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	738,950
Nonvested at December 31, 2013, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$10.39
Granted, Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	407,393
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$23.56
Forfeited, Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	-5,516
Forfeited, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$10.88
Vested, Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	-462,323
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$13.49
Nonvested at December 31, 2014, Non-Vested Shares and Deferred Stock Units	678,504
Nonvested at December 31, 2014, Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value	$16.18
Nonvested at December 31, 2014, Weighted-Average Remaining Vesting Term (in years)	1 year 9 months 18 days

Earnings_Per_Share_Narrative_D

Earnings Per Share (Narrative) (Details)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Stock-based compensation awards excluded from computations of diluted EPS	14	800

Earnings_Per_Share_Schedule_Of

Earnings Per Share (Schedule Of Basic And Diluted Earnings Per Share) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net income attributable to Green Plains	$42,237	$41,749	$32,314	$43,203	$25,461	$9,410	$5,965	$2,555	$159,504	$43,391	$11,779
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic									36,467	30,183	30,296
Income (loss) attributable to Green Plains stockholders - basic	$1.12	$1.11	$0.86	$1.30	$0.84	$0.31	$0.20	$0.09	$4.37	$1.44	$0.39
Net income (loss) attributable to Green Plains on an as-if-converted basis									161,459	48,442	11,779
Effect of dilutive stock-based compensation awards									217	211	167
Total potential shares outstanding									40,730	38,304	30,463
Income (loss) attributable to Green Plains stockholders - diluted	$1.07	$1.03	$0.82	$1.04	$0.65	$0.28	$0.19	$0.08	$3.96	$1.26	$0.39
5.75% Convertible Notes due 2015 [Member]
Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax effect									576	3,578
Effect of dilutive convertible debt									1,006	6,286
3.25% Convertible Notes due 2018 [Member]
Interest and amortization on convertible debt, net of tax effect									$1,379	$1,473
Effect of dilutive convertible debt									3,040	1,624

Stockholders_Equity_Narrative_

Stockholders' Equity (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014
Stockholders Equity Abstract
Repurchase of common stock, shares		7,200,000
Repurchase of common stock		$65,800,000
Authorized amount of share repurchase program		$100,000,000
Dividends Payable, Date Declared	1-Aug-13

Stockholders_Equity_Schedule_o

Stockholders' Equity (Schedule of Reclassification From AOCI) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	($301,583)	($122,588)	$39,530
Income tax benefit	139,754	46,941	-15,032
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	-161,829	-75,647	24,498
Revenue [Member]
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-257,730	-96,736	-17,318
Cost Of Goods Sold [Member]
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-43,853	-25,852	56,848
Income Loss Before Income Taxes [Member]
Gains (losses) on cash flow hedges reclassified	-301,583	-122,588	39,530
Income Tax Expense Benefit [Member]
Income tax benefit	($139,754)	($46,941)	$15,032

Income_Taxes_Narrative_Details

Income Taxes (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Deferred tax valuation allowance	$3,742,000	$3,765,000
Deferred tax valuation allowance, state	3,700,000
Net operating loss carryforwards, federal		$30,500,000

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Incom

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Income Tax Expense) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Current									$67,389	$1,397	$2,689
Deferred									23,537	27,493	10,704
Income tax expense	$22,377	$24,250	$17,775	$26,525	$15,371	$7,633	$4,288	$1,598	$90,926	$28,890	$13,393

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Diffe

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Differences Between The Income Tax Expense (Benefit)Computed At The Statutory Federal income Tax Rate And As Presented On The Consolidated Statements Of Operations) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended			36 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Federal statutory rate												35.00%
Tax expense at federal statutory rate of 35%									$87,650	$25,299	$8,810
State income tax expense, net of federal benefit									6,810	2,002	4,036
Qualified production activities deduction									-4,637
Increase (decrease) in valuation allowance against deferred tax assets										-709
Nondeductible compensation									848	1,491
Other									255	807	547
Income tax expense	$22,377	$24,250	$17,775	$26,525	$15,371	$7,633	$4,288	$1,598	$90,926	$28,890	$13,393

Income_Taxes_Schedule_Of_Signi

Income Taxes (Schedule Of Significant Components Of Deferred Tax Assets And Liabilities) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Deferrred tax assets: Net operating loss carryforwards - State	$471	$1,232
Deferrred tax assets: Tax credit carryforwards - Federal		2,062
Deferrred tax assets: Tax credit carryforwards - State	4,910	5,662
Deferrred tax assets: Derivative financial instruments	975	2,297
Deferred tax assets: Organizational and start-up costs	851	2,371
Deferrred tax assets: Stock-based compensation	2,868	2,975
Deferred tax assets: Accrued Expenses	7,196	7,219
Deferred tax assets: Capital leases	3,743
Deferred tax assets: Other	1,532	1,690
Total deferred tax assets	22,546	25,508
Deferred tax liabilities: Convertible Debt	-6,878	-8,444
Deferred tax liabilities: Fixed assets	-118,132	-94,864
Deferred tax liabilities: Investment in partnerships	-1,534	-1,786
Total deferred tax liabilities	-126,544	-105,094
Valuation allowance	-3,742	-3,765
Deferred income taxes	($107,740)	($83,351)

Income_Taxes_Reconciliation_Of

Income Taxes (Reconciliation Of The Beginning And Ending Amounts Of Unrecognized Tax Benefits) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Taxes [Abstract]
Balance at January 1, 2014	$279
Additions for current year tax positions
Additions for prior year tax positions	33
Reductions for prior year tax positions
Reductions as a result of a lapse of applicable statute of expirations
Balance at December 31, 2014	$312

Commitments_And_Contingencies_1

Commitments And Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
			gal
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Lease expenses	$31,800,000	$19,900,000	$18,300,000
Contracted future deliveries	308,300,000
Non-monetary settlement requirement			20,000,000
After-tax charge for settlement			2,400,000
Gain on disposal of assets	-4,658,000
Damages From Preferential Transfers [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Damages from transfers			24,400,000
Damages From Fraudulent Transfers [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Damages from transfers			28,400,000
Property Damage Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Insurance Recoveries	7,800,000
Business Interruption Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Insurance Recoveries	10,500,000
Green Plains Otter Tail [Member] | Property Damage Portion Of Insurance Claim [Member]
Trading Activity, Gains and Losses, Net [Line Items]
Gain on disposal of assets	$4,200,000

Commitments_And_Contingencies_2

Commitments And Contingencies (Future Minimum Lease Payments) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Commitments And Contingencies [Abstract]
2015	$30,316
2016	26,910
2017	16,810
2018	13,835
2019	9,989
Thereafter	8,923
Total	$106,783

Employee_Benefit_Plans_Details

Employee Benefit Plans (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Employee Benefit Plans [Abstract]
Defined contribution plan, employer matching contribution, percent	4.00%
Defined contribution plan, employers matching contribution, vesting percentage	100.00%
Employer contributions to the 401(k) plan	$1.10	$0.90	$0.90
Defined benefit plan, assets	6.4
Defined benefit pension plan, liabilities	6
Funded status of plan on balance sheet	$0.40	$0.30

Related_Party_Transactions_Nar

Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Outstanding accounts payable			$170,199,000	$170,199,000	$112,001,000
AXIS Capital [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Outstanding note payable			1,400,000	1,400,000
Debt included in financing arrangements			1,200,000	1,200,000	100,000
Principal payments (plus interest)				300,000	100,000	300,000
Weighted average interest rate			6.80%	6.80%
Hoovestol Inc [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Cash payments				187,000	136,000	121,000
Outstanding accounts payable			2,000	2,000
Aircraft lease amount payable, per month	$9,766	$6,667	$15,834
Aircraft hours available each month under lease	125	100	125

Quarterly_Financial_Data_Detai

Quarterly Financial Data (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Quarterly Financial Data[Abstract]
Revenues	$829,939	$833,925	$837,858	$733,889	$712,869	$757,971	$804,696	$765,476	$3,235,611	$3,041,011	$3,476,870
Cost of goods sold	732,288	735,842	759,543	633,140	640,697	716,947	772,085	738,262	2,860,813	2,867,991	3,380,099
Operating income	73,929	75,055	58,946	78,343	51,051	25,534	18,562	12,704	286,274	107,851	64,885
Other expense	-9,315	-9,056	-8,857	-8,615	-10,219	-8,491	-8,309	-8,551	-35,844	-35,570	-39,729
Income tax expense	22,377	24,250	17,775	26,525	15,371	7,633	4,288	1,598	90,926	28,890	13,393
Net income attributable to Green Plains	42,237	41,749	32,314	43,203	25,461	9,410	5,965	2,555	159,504	43,391	11,779
Basic earnings per share attributable to Green Plains	$1.12	$1.11	$0.86	$1.30	$0.84	$0.31	$0.20	$0.09	$4.37	$1.44	$0.39
Diluted earnings per share attributable to Green Plains	$1.07	$1.03	$0.82	$1.04	$0.65	$0.28	$0.19	$0.08	$3.96	$1.26	$0.39
Pre-tax gain from sale of grain elevators											$47,133

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial2

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Balance Sheet - Parent Company Only) (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$425,510	$272,027	$254,289	$174,988
Restricted cash	29,742	26,994
Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of $196 and $69, respectively	138,073	106,808
Prepaid expenses and other	18,776	12,893
Total current assets	910,910	633,305
Property and equipment, net	825,210	806,046
Other assets	51,560	51,817
Total assets	1,828,557	1,532,045
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	170,199	112,001
Accrued liabilities	61,118	37,949
Current maturities of long-term debt	63,465	82,933
Total current liabilities	511,540	409,197
Long-term debt	399,440	480,746
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	115,235	91,294
Other liabilities	4,893	5,450
Total liabilities	1,031,108	986,687
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	45	38
Additional paid-in capital	569,431	468,962
Retained earnings	299,101	148,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,320	-6,339
Treasury stock	-65,808	-65,808
Total stockholders' equity	797,449	545,358
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	1,828,557	1,532,045
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	252,689	143,852	100,051	71,547
Restricted cash	6,309
Accounts receivable, including amounts from related parties of $196 and $69, respectively	268	128
Prepaid expenses and other	893	860
Due from subsidiaries	30,823	20,987
Total current assets	290,982	165,827
Property and equipment, net	4,147	3,052
Investment in consolidated subsidiaries	611,311	568,410
Other assets	18,323	19,374
Total assets	924,763	756,663
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	2,098	4,310
Accrued liabilities	20,057	14,344
Current maturities of long-term debt		188
Total current liabilities	22,155	18,842
Long-term debt	100,845	186,654
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent	4,010	5,446
Other liabilities	304	363
Total liabilities	127,314	211,305
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock	45	38
Additional paid-in capital	569,431	468,962
Retained earnings	299,101	148,505
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-5,320	-6,339
Treasury stock	-65,808	-65,808
Total stockholders' equity	797,449	545,358
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	924,763	756,663
Accounts receivable, amounts from related parties	$196	$69

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial3

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Operations - Parent Company Only) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Selling, general and administrative expenses									$88,524	$65,169	$79,019
Operating income	73,929	75,055	58,946	78,343	51,051	25,534	18,562	12,704	286,274	107,851	64,885
Interest income									635	294	191
Interest expense									-39,908	-33,357	-37,521
Other, net									3,429	-2,507	-2,399
Total other income (expense)	-9,315	-9,056	-8,857	-8,615	-10,219	-8,491	-8,309	-8,551	-35,844	-35,570	-39,729
Income before income taxes									250,430	72,281	25,156
Income tax benefit	-22,377	-24,250	-17,775	-26,525	-15,371	-7,633	-4,288	-1,598	-90,926	-28,890	-13,393
Net income									159,504	43,391	11,763
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Selling, general and administrative expenses										88
Operating income										-88
Interest income									462	192	112
Interest expense									-9,539	-8,742	-7,165
Other, net									-3,860	-2,647	-2,399
Total other income (expense)									-12,937	-11,197	-9,452
Income before income taxes									-12,937	-11,285	-9,452
Income tax benefit									4,361	5,018	218
Loss before equity in earnings of subsidiaries									-8,576	-6,267	-9,234
Equity in earnings of consolidated subsidiaries									168,080	49,658	21,013
Net income									$159,504	$43,391	$11,779

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial4

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant Statements Of Cash Flows - Parent Company Only) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	$221,550	$107,336	($13,724)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-59,547	-19,764	-26,776
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net	9,258	245	117,711
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	-78,595	-147,584	81,447
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt	542,692	343,799	73,100
Payments of principal on long-term debt	-557,850	-303,495	-120,153
Payments on short-term borrowings	-3,670,529	-3,321,556	-3,249,371
Payments for repurchase of common stock			-10,445
Change in restricted cash	-547	-1,298	-6,196
Payment of cash dividends	-8,908	-2,426
Payments of loan fees	-7,630	-10,046	-332
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants	4,404	4,498	452
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	10,528	57,986	11,578
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	153,483	17,738	79,301
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	272,027	254,289	174,988
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	425,510	272,027	254,289
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract]
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities	-7,653	-1,924	-279
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	-2,829	-652	-616
Proceeds on disposal of assets, net		42
Investment in subsidiaries	125,179	-53,754	54,426
Issuance of notes receivable from subsidiaries, net of payments received	9,500	15,356	-6,832
Other, net	-4,309	-3,264	-7,998
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities	127,541	-42,272	38,980
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the issuance of long-term debt		120,000
Payments of principal on long-term debt	-238	-1,841	-204
Payments on short-term borrowings		-27,162
Payments for repurchase of common stock			-10,445
Change in restricted cash	-6,309
Payment of cash dividends	-8,908	-2,426
Payments of loan fees		-5,072
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options and warrants	4,404	4,498
Other, net			452
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities	-11,051	87,997	-10,197
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	108,837	43,801	28,504
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	143,852	100,051	71,547
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$252,689	$143,852	$100,051

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial5

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Commitments And Contingencies) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Total	$106,783,000
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
Incurred lease expenses	1,000,000	900,000	900,000
2015	1,085,000
2016	1,088,000
2017	296,000
2018	120,000
2019	122,000
Thereafter	249,000
Total	2,960,000
Guarantees of subsidiary contracts and indebtedness	$187,900,000

Schedule_I_Condensed_Financial6

Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information Of The Registrant (Debt) (Details) (Green Plains Inc. [Member], USD $)	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Green Plains Inc. [Member]
2015
2016
2017
2018	120,000
2019
Thereafter
Total	$120,000