Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODC) 10-Q 5 Dec 14 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Entity Information	'
Entity Registrant Name	'OIL DRI CORP OF AMERICA
Entity Central Index Key	'0000074046
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--07-31
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Oct-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1
Amendment Flag	'false
Common Stock	'
Entity Information	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	5,014,942
Common Class B	'
Entity Information	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,064,994

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$8,406	$16,230
Restricted cash	100	129
Short-term investments	1,901	2,640
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $722 and $707 at October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively	31,893	30,997
Inventories	24,332	24,483
Deferred income taxes	1,570	1,570
Prepaid repairs expense	3,585	3,722
Prepaid expenses and other assets	2,574	3,745
Total Current Assets	74,361	83,516
Property, Plant and Equipment	'	'
Cost	203,820	199,095
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	-125,608	-124,199
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	78,212	74,896
Other Assets	'	'
Goodwill	9,034	9,034
Trademarks and patents, net of accumulated amortization of $303 and $420 at October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively	694	660
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $383 and $522 at October 31, 2014 and July 31 2014, respectively	219	243
Licensing agreements and non-compete agreements, net of accumulated amortization of $1,192 and $1,145 at October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively	108	155
Customer list, net of accumulated amortization of $1,097 at October 31, 2014 and $764 at July 31, 2014, respectively	6,688	7,020
Deferred income taxes	4,285	4,448
Other	7,126	6,232
Total Other Assets	28,154	27,792
Total Assets	180,727	186,204
Current Liabilities	'	'
Current maturities of notes payable	3,483	3,500
Accounts payable	5,599	7,352
Dividends payable	1,313	1,311
Accrued expenses:	'	'
Salaries, wages and commissions	3,527	4,448
Trade promotions and advertising	2,842	2,182
Freight	2,446	2,504
Other	6,733	8,203
Total Current Liabilities	25,943	29,500
Noncurrent Liabilities	'	'
Notes payable	15,417	18,900
Deferred compensation	9,528	9,267
Pension and postretirement benefits	22,531	22,273
Other	1,961	1,956
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	49,437	52,396
Total Liabilities	75,380	81,896
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Additional paid-in capital	33,403	33,130
Restricted unearned stock compensation	-2,120	-2,225
Retained earnings	136,846	136,039
Accumulated other comprehensive income:	'	'
Unrealized gain on marketable securities	0	114
Pension and postretirement benefits	-8,533	-8,632
Cumulative translation adjustment	170	255
Total accumulated other comprehensive loss	-8,363	-8,263
Less Treasury Stock, at cost (2,917,151 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at October 31, 2014 and 2,915,651 Common and 324,741 Class B shares at July 31, 2014)	-55,451	-55,404
Total Stockholders’ Equity	105,347	104,308
Total Liabilities & Stockholders’ Equity	180,727	186,204
Common Stock	'	'
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	793	792
Common Class B	'	'
Stockholders’ Equity	'	'
Common Stock, par value $.10 per share	$239	$239

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Parenthetical (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Current Assets	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$722	$707
Other Assets	'	'
Accumulated amortization Trademarks and patents	303	420
Accumulated amortization Debt issuance costs	383	522
Accumulated amortization Licensing and non-compete agreements	1,192	1,145
Accumulated amortization Customer lists	$1,097	$764
Common Stock	'	'
Stockholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares issued	7,932,093	7,917,393
Treasury stock, common shares	2,917,151	2,915,651
Common Class B	'	'
Stockholder's Equity	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.10	$0.10
Common stock, shares issued	2,389,735	2,394,735
Treasury stock, common shares	324,741	324,741

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Net Sales	$66,044	$63,546
Cost of Sales	-52,275	-47,046
Gross Profit	13,769	16,500
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	-10,609	-12,158
Income from Operations	3,160	4,342
Other Income (Expense)	'	'
Interest expense	-382	-424
Interest income	3	10
Other, net	84	-35
Total Other Income (Expense), Net	-295	-449
Income Before Income Taxes	2,865	3,893
Income taxes	-745	-1,006
Net Income	2,120	2,887
Retained Earnings	'	'
Balance at beginning of period	136,039	132,750
Cash dividends declared and treasury stock issuances	-1,313	-1,255
Balance at end of period	$136,846	$134,382
Net Income Per Share	'	'
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.30	$0.41
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'
Diluted (in shares)	7,016	6,973
Common Stock	'	'
Net Income Per Share	'	'
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$0.32	$0.44
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'
Basic Common (in shares)	4,948	4,955
Common Class B	'	'
Net Income Per Share	'	'
Basic Common (in dollars per share)	$0.24	$0.33
Average Shares Outstanding	'	'
Basic Common (in shares)	2,009	1,992

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Net Income	$2,120	$2,887
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss):	'	'
Unrealized loss on marketable securities	-114	-8
Pension and postretirement benefits (net of tax)	99	57
Cumulative translation adjustment	-85	-67
Other Comprehensive (Loss)	-100	-18
Total Comprehensive Income	$2,020	$2,869

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Net Income	$2,120	$2,887
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,920	2,231
Amortization of investment net discount	-1	-1
Non-cash stock compensation expense	308	241
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	-10	-13
Deferred income taxes	72	37
Provision for bad debts and cash discounts	44	20
Loss (Gain) on the sale of fixed assets	33	-13
Gain on sale of marketable securities	-105	0
(Increase) Decrease in assets:	'	'
Accounts receivable	-940	-604
Inventories	151	-1,621
Prepaid expenses	1,308	-496
Other assets	-1,173	-4
Increase (Decrease) in liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable	-1,632	367
Accrued expenses	-2,000	-4,313
Deferred compensation	261	251
Pension and postretirement benefits	357	277
Other liabilities	35	102
Total Adjustments	-372	-3,539
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	1,748	-652
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Capital expenditures	-5,717	-3,382
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	15	14
Advance payment for acquisition	0	-800
Restricted cash	29	0
Purchases of short-term investments	-700	-5,272
Dispositions of short-term investments	1,440	8,545
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities	108	0
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	-4,825	-895
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES	'	'
Principal payments on notes payable	-3,500	-3,500
Dividends paid	-1,311	-1,236
Proceeds from issuance of treasury stock	0	39
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	15	12
Excess tax benefits for share-based payments	10	13
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	-4,786	-4,672
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	39	-40
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents	-7,824	-6,259
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period	16,230	24,035
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	$8,406	$17,776

Basis_of_Statement_Presentatio

Basis of Statement Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Statement Presentation	'
	BASIS OF STATEMENT PRESENTATION
	The accompanying unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and in compliance with instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. The financial statements and the related notes are condensed and should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes for the year ended July 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.
	The unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions are eliminated. Except as otherwise indicated herein or as the context otherwise requires, references to “Oil-Dri,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries.
	The unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the statements contained herein. Operating results for the three months ended October 31, 2014 are not necessarily an indication of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 31, 2015.
	The preparation of the unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures. Estimates and assumptions are revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
	We recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred under the terms of our sales agreements with customers at a fixed and determinable price and collection of payment is probable. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. Such trade promotion costs are netted against sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material.
	Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all advertising and marketing-related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses.
	We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts and analysis of specific customer accounts. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment.
	We mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden (non-usable material) from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine.
	Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the minerals are also capitalized. All exploration related costs are expensed as incurred.
	We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, thereby minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process.

New_Accounting_Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS [Abstract]	'
New Accounting Pronouncements	'
	NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
	The tangible property regulations ("repair regulations") released by the Internal Revenue Service in September 2013 under Sections 162(a) and 263(a) of the Internal Revenue Code were effective for our tax year beginning August 1, 2014. The repair regulations provide guidance regarding the timing of deductions and the capitalization of amounts paid to acquire, produce or improve tangible property. We are currently evaluating our accounting policies to ensure compliance with the requirements of the repair regulations.
	Recently Issued Regulations
	In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 250, Revenue from Contract with Customers, which establishes a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for all contracts with customers and will supersede most existing revenue guidance. This guidance requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange. Transition options include either a full or modified retrospective approach and early adoption is not permitted. This guidance will be effective at the beginning of our first quarter of fiscal 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
	In August 2014, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 205, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern, which defines management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an organization's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This guidance will be effective for our fiscal year ended July 31, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of these requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Inventories

Inventories	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventory Disclosure	'
	INVENTORIES
	The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands):
		October 31,		July 31,
		2014		2014
	Finished goods	$	13,659	$	14,326
	Packaging	5,443		5,402
	Other	5,230		4,755
	Total Inventories	$	24,332	$	24,483
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We perform a detailed review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The review surveys all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends are considered. The obsolescence reserve not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date. The inventory obsolescence reserve values at October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014 were $484,000 and $390,000, respectively.

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized into categories based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The categories in the hierarchy are as follows:
	Level 1:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
	Level 2:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on:
		1)  Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets.
		2)  Quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active.
		3)  Valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.
	Level 3:	Financial assets and liabilities whose values are based on valuation techniques that require inputs that are unobservable. These inputs may reflect estimates of the assumptions that market participants would use in valuing the financial assets and liabilities.
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy:
		Fair Value at October 31, 2014				Fair Value at July 31, 2014
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
		Total		Level 1		Total		Level 1
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	336	$	336	$	5,728	$	5,728
	Marketable equity securities	—		—		117		117
	Cash equivalents were classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they were valued using quoted market prices in active markets. These cash instruments are primarily money market mutual funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
	Marketable equity securities were valued using quoted market prices in active markets and as such are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. We owned stock in one publicly traded company at July 31, 2014, which was included in other assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. We decided to sell this stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 after the company whose stock we owned was acquired by another company.
	Short-term investments on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included U.S. Treasury securities and certificates of deposit. We intend and have the ability to hold our short-term investments to maturity; therefore, these investments were reported at amortized cost on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, which approximated fair value as of October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014. These balances are excluded from the above table.
	Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets approximated their fair values at October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014 due to the short maturity and nature of those balances; therefore, these balances are excluded from the above table.
	Prepaid expenses and other assets on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets included a receivable related to our acquisition of certain assets of MFM Industries Inc. ("MFM") in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The receivable represents the estimated amount due to us upon the sale of the real property retained by MFM. As of October 31, 2014, MFM was awaiting finalization of an agreement to sell the land to a third party. Our receivable was reduced by $141,000 to a balance of $114,500 during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 to reflect the current estimate of the value we will receive from this pending land sale. This receivable is excluded from the above table.
	Notes payable on the condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets are carried at the face amount of future maturities and are excluded from the above table. The estimated fair value of notes payable, including current maturities, was $20,020,000 and $23,940,000 as of October 31, 2014 and July 31, 2014, respectively. Our debt does not trade on a daily basis in an active market, therefore the fair value estimate is based on market observable borrowing rates currently available for debt with similar terms and average maturities and is classified as Level 2.
	We apply fair value techniques on a non-recurring basis associated with: (1) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill, trademarks and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets. See Note 5 for further information about goodwill and other intangible assets.

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
	Intangible amortization expense was $420,000 and $88,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and 2014, respectively. Estimated intangible amortization for the remainder of fiscal 2015 is $1,188,000. Estimated intangible amortization for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):
	2016	$	1,416
	2017	$	1,188
	2018	$	979
	2019	$	792
	2020	$	621
	We have one acquired trademark recorded at $376,000 that was determined to have an indefinite life and is not amortized.
	Our annual goodwill impairment analysis was performed in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 and did not indicate any impairment.

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure	'
	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
	The components of net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs were as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Service cost	$	432			$	360
	Interest cost	468				436
	Expected return on plan assets	(470		)		(429		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service costs	2				3
	Other actuarial loss	150				78
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	582			$	448
		Postretirement Health Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Service cost	$	33			$	30
	Interest cost	27				29
	Amortization of:
	Net transition obligation	—				4
	Prior service costs	(2		)		(1		)
	Other actuarial loss	9				7
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	67			$	69
	The postretirement health plan is an unfunded plan. We pay insurance premiums and claims from our assets.
	The pension plan is funded based upon actuarially determined contributions that take into account the amount deductible for income tax purposes, the normal cost and the minimum contribution required and the maximum contribution allowed under applicable regulations. We contributed $230,000 to our pension plan during the first quarter ended October 31, 2014. We estimate contributions will be $1,626,000 for the remainder of fiscal 2015. See Item 3. "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for a discussion of the potential impact of financial market fluctuations on pension plan assets and future funding contributions.
	Assumptions used in the previous calculations were as follows:
		Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Benefits
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.28	%		4.8	%		3.87	%	4.8	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%		3.5	%		—		—
	Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.5	%		7.5	%		—		—
	The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 7.5%. The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in fiscal 2024.

Operating_Segment

Operating Segment	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segment Disclosure	'
	OPERATING SEGMENTS
	We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstore chains, pet specialty retail outlets, dollar stores, retail grocery stores, distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products, environmental service companies and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products.
	Our operating segments are also our reportable segments. Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. Revenues by product line are not provided because it would be impracticable to do so. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2014.
	We do not rely on any segment asset allocations and we do not consider them meaningful because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, we have estimated the segment asset allocations below for those assets for which we can reasonably determine. The unallocated asset category is the remainder of our total assets. The asset allocation is estimated and is not a measure used by our chief operating decision maker about allocating resources to the operating segments or in assessing their performance. The corporate expenses line includes certain unallocated expenses, including primarily salaries, wages and benefits, purchased services, rent, utilities and depreciation and amortization associated with corporate functions such as research and development, information systems, finance, legal, human resources and customer service. Corporate expenses also include the estimated annual incentive plan bonus accrual.
				Assets
				October 31, 2014		July 31, 2014
				(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products			$	55,018	$	53,823
	Retail and Wholesale Products			97,777		95,712
	Unallocated Assets			27,932		36,669
	Total Assets			$	180,727	$	186,204
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	23,648	$	23,915	$	6,871		$	7,651
	Retail and Wholesale Products	42,396		39,631		886			1,275
	Total Sales	$	66,044	$	63,546
	Corporate Expenses					(4,597		)	(4,584		)
	Income from Operations					3,160			4,342
	Total Other Expense, Net					(295		)	(449		)
	Income before Income Taxes					2,865			3,893
	Income Taxes					(745		)	(1,006		)
	Net Income					$	2,120		$	2,887

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments	'
	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
	We determine the fair value of stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans as of the grant date. We recognize the related compensation expense over the period from the date of grant to the date when the award is no longer contingent on the employee providing additional service to the Company.
	The Oil-Dri Corporation of America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2006 Plan”) permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based and cash-based awards. Our employees and outside directors are eligible to receive grants under the 2006 Plan. The total number of shares of stock subject to grants under the 2006 Plan may not exceed 937,500. Stock options have been granted to our outside directors with a vesting period of one year and stock options granted to employees generally vest 25% two years after the grant date and in each of the three following anniversaries of the grant date. In addition, restricted shares have been issued under the 2006 Plan as described in the restricted stock section below.
	Stock Options
	A summary of stock option transactions as of October 31, 2014 is shown below:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)				(Years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding and exercisable, July 31, 2014	44		$	15.43	1.9	$	611
	Exercised	(1	)	$	15.37		$	13
	Options outstanding and exercisable, October 31, 2014	43		$	15.43	1.7	$	642
	The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first quarter of fiscal 2015 was $15,000 and the related tax benefit was $3,000. The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options during the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was $51,000 and the related tax benefit was $24,000.
	No stock options were granted in the first three months of either fiscal 2015 or 2014.
	Restricted Stock
	All of our non-vested restricted stock as of October 31, 2014 was issued under the 2006 Plan with vesting periods between two years and five years.
	Under the 2006 Plan, 9,000 and 22,000 restricted shares of Common Stock were granted in the first quarter of fiscal years 2015 and 2014, respectively. Also in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, 10,000 shares of Common Class B Stock were granted.
	Included in our stock-based compensation expense in the first quarter of fiscal years 2015 and 2014 was $308,000 and $241,000, respectively, related to non-vested restricted stock.
	A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plan is shown below:
		Restricted Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2014	122		$	27.31
	Granted	9		$	28.54
	Vested	(25	)	$	21.82
	Forfeitures	(2	)	$	31.15
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at October 31, 2014	104		$	28.68

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Notes)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
	ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of October 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities				Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits				Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of July 31, 2014	$	114			$	(8,632	)		$	255		$	(8,263	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	(9		)		—				(85		)	(94		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	(105		)	a)	99			b)	—			(6		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(114		)		99				(85		)	(100		)
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	—			$	(8,533	)		$	170		$	(8,363	)
	a) Amount is included in the condensed Consolidated Statements of Income on the Other, net line item.
	b) Amount is net of tax expense of $60,000. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 6 for further information.

Basis_of_Statement_Presentatio1

Basis of Statement Presentation Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Revenue Recognition	'
	We recognize revenue when risk of loss and title are transferred under the terms of our sales agreements with customers at a fixed and determinable price and collection of payment is probable. Trade promotion reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. Such trade promotion costs are netted against sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	'
	Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all advertising and marketing-related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses.
Trade Receivable	'
	We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts and analysis of specific customer accounts. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment.
Overburden Removal and Mining Costs	'
	We mine sorbent materials on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden (non-usable material) from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine.
	Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral patents, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the minerals are also capitalized. All exploration related costs are expensed as incurred.
Reclamation	'
	We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, thereby minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process.

Inventories_Level_2_Policies

Inventories Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We perform a detailed review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment is necessary. The review surveys all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends are considered. The obsolescence reserve not only considers specific items, but also takes into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date.

Operating_Segment_Level_2_Poli

Operating Segment Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments	'
	We have two operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstore chains, pet specialty retail outlets, dollar stores, retail grocery stores, distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products, environmental service companies and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products.
	Our operating segments are also our reportable segments. Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. Revenues by product line are not provided because it would be impracticable to do so. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note 1 of the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2014.

StockBased_Compensation_Level_

Stock-Based Compensation Level 2 (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation Policy	'
	We determine the fair value of stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans as of the grant date. We recognize the related compensation expense over the period from the date of grant to the date when the award is no longer contingent on the employee providing additional service to the Company.

Inventories_Level_3_Tables

Inventories Level 3 (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	The composition of inventories is as follows (in thousands):
		October 31,		July 31,
		2014		2014
	Finished goods	$	13,659	$	14,326
	Packaging	5,443		5,402
	Other	5,230		4,755
	Total Inventories	$	24,332	$	24,483

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	'
	The following table summarizes our financial assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value by level within the fair value hierarchy:
		Fair Value at October 31, 2014				Fair Value at July 31, 2014
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
		Total		Level 1		Total		Level 1
	Assets
	Cash equivalents	$	336	$	336	$	5,728	$	5,728
	Marketable equity securities	—		—		117		117

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles1

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'
	Estimated intangible amortization for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands):
	2016	$	1,416
	2017	$	1,188
	2018	$	979
	2019	$	792
	2020	$	621

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme1

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Defined Benefit Pension Plans and Defined Benefit Postretirement Plans Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	'
	The components of net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs were as follows:
		Pension Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Service cost	$	432			$	360
	Interest cost	468				436
	Expected return on plan assets	(470		)		(429		)
	Amortization of:
	Prior service costs	2				3
	Other actuarial loss	150				78
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	582			$	448
		Postretirement Health Benefits
		(in thousands)
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014				2013
	Service cost	$	33			$	30
	Interest cost	27				29
	Amortization of:
	Net transition obligation	—				4
	Prior service costs	(2		)		(1		)
	Other actuarial loss	9				7
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	67			$	69
Schedule of Assumptions Used	'
	Assumptions used in the previous calculations were as follows:
		Pension Benefits						Postretirement Health Benefits
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		2014			2013			2014		2013
	Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.28	%		4.8	%		3.87	%	4.8	%
	Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.5	%		3.5	%		—		—
	Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.5	%		7.5	%		—		—
	The medical cost trend assumption for postretirement health benefits was 7.5%. The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 5.0% in fiscal 2024.

Operating_Segment_Tables

Operating Segment (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Operating Segments Information	'
				Assets
				October 31, 2014		July 31, 2014
				(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products			$	55,018	$	53,823
	Retail and Wholesale Products			97,777		95,712
	Unallocated Assets			27,932		36,669
	Total Assets			$	180,727	$	186,204
		For the Three Months Ended October 31,
		Net Sales				Income
		2014		2013		2014			2013
		(in thousands)
	Business to Business Products	$	23,648	$	23,915	$	6,871		$	7,651
	Retail and Wholesale Products	42,396		39,631		886			1,275
	Total Sales	$	66,044	$	63,546
	Corporate Expenses					(4,597		)	(4,584		)
	Income from Operations					3,160			4,342
	Total Other Expense, Net					(295		)	(449		)
	Income before Income Taxes					2,865			3,893
	Income Taxes					(745		)	(1,006		)
	Net Income					$	2,120		$	2,887

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Stock Options Activity	'
	A summary of stock option transactions as of October 31, 2014 is shown below:
		Number of Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term	Aggregate Intrinsic Value
		(in thousands)				(Years)	(in thousands)
	Options outstanding and exercisable, July 31, 2014	44		$	15.43	1.9	$	611
	Exercised	(1	)	$	15.37		$	13
	Options outstanding and exercisable, October 31, 2014	43		$	15.43	1.7	$	642
Schedule of Restricted Stock Transactions	'
	A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plan is shown below:
		Restricted Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
		(in thousands)
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2014	122		$	27.31
	Granted	9		$	28.54
	Vested	(25	)	$	21.82
	Forfeitures	(2	)	$	31.15
	Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at October 31, 2014	104		$	28.68

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv1

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income by Component	'
	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component as of October 31, 2014 (in thousands):
		Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities				Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits				Cumulative Translation Adjustment			Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
	Balance as of July 31, 2014	$	114			$	(8,632	)		$	255		$	(8,263	)
	Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax	(9		)		—				(85		)	(94		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	(105		)	a)	99			b)	—			(6		)
	Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(114		)		99				(85		)	(100		)
	Balance as of October 31, 2014	$	—			$	(8,533	)		$	170		$	(8,363	)
	a) Amount is included in the condensed Consolidated Statements of Income on the Other, net line item.
	b) Amount is net of tax expense of $60,000. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 6 for further information.

Inventories_Details

Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory	'	'
Finished goods	$13,659	$14,326
Packaging	5,443	5,402
Other	5,230	4,755
Total Inventories	$24,332	$24,483

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Inventory	'	'
Inventory obsolescence reserve	$484,000	$390,000

Fair_Value_Measurements_Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'	'
Cash equivalents	$336	$5,728
Marketable equity securities	0	117
Level 1	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'	'
Cash equivalents	336	5,728
Marketable equity securities	$0	$117

Fair_Value_Measurements_Narrat

Fair Value Measurements Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis	'	'
Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Change in amount of receivable for proceeds of land sale	$141,000	'
Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, Receivable for proceeds of land sale	114,500	'
Notes Payable, Fair Value	$20,020,000	$23,940,000

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles2

Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) (USD $)	Oct. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets	'
2016	$1,416
2017	1,188
2018	979
2019	792
2020	$621

Goodwill_and_Other_Intangibles3

Goodwill and Other Intangibles Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'
Finite-lived intangible assets, amortization expense for remainder of current fiscal year	$1,188,000	'
Goodwill impairment loss	0	'
Indefinite-lived trademarks	376,000	'
Amortization of intangible assets	$420,000	$88,000

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme2

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Pension Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Service cost	$432	$360
Interest cost	468	436
Expected return on plan assets	-470	-429
Amortization of Prior service costs	2	3
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	150	78
Net periodic benefit cost	582	448
Postretirement Health Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Service cost	33	30
Interest cost	27	29
Amortization of Net transition obligation	0	4
Amortization of Prior service costs	-2	-1
Amortization of Other actuarial loss	9	7
Net periodic benefit cost	$67	$69

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme3

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Assumptions (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Pension Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	4.28%	4.80%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	3.50%	3.50%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.50%	7.50%
Postretirement Health Plan	'	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'	'
Discount rate for net periodic benefit cost	3.87%	4.80%
Rate of increase in compensation levels	0.00%	0.00%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	0.00%	0.00%

Pension_and_Other_Postretireme4

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Pension Plan	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
Employer contributions during current quarter	$230,000
Estimated contributions in remainder of current fiscal year	$1,626,000
Postretirement Health Plan	'
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans	'
Medical Cost Trend Assumption	7.50%
Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	5.00%
Year that Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	'2024

Operating_Segment_Details

Operating Segment (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'
Assets	$180,727	'	$186,204
Total Sales	66,044	63,546	'
Corporate Expenses	-4,597	-4,584	'
Income from Operations	3,160	4,342	'
Total Other Expense, Net	-295	-449	'
Income before Income Taxes	2,865	3,893	'
Income Taxes	-745	-1,006	'
Net Income	2,120	2,887	'
Business to Business Products	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'
Assets	55,018	'	53,823
Segment Net Sales	23,648	23,915	'
Segment Income	6,871	7,651	'
Retail and Wholesale Products	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'
Assets	97,777	'	95,712
Segment Net Sales	42,396	39,631	'
Segment Income	886	1,275	'
Unallocated Assets	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information	'	'	'
Assets	$27,932	'	$36,669

Operating_Segment_Narrative_De

Operating Segment Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
	segment
Segment Reporting Information	'
Number of Reportable Segments	2

StockBased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-Based Compensation Stock Option (Details) (Stock Options, USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Options	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'
Options exercisable, Number (shares)	43	44
Options exercisable, weighted average exercise price	$15.43	$15.43
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	'1 year 8 months 13 days	'1 year 10 months 25 days
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$642	$611
Exercised, Number (shares)	-1	'
Exercised, weighted average exercise price	$15.37	'
Exercised, aggregate intrinsic value	$13	'

StockBased_Compensation_Summar

Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Restricted Stock Transactions (Details) (Restricted Stock, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'
Non-vested Restricted Stock Outstanding, Number (shares)	104,000	122,000
Non-vested Restricted Stock Outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$28.68	$27.31
Vested, Number (shares)	-25,000	'
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$21.82	'
Granted, Number (shares)	9,000	'
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$28.54	'
Forfeitures, Number (shares)	-2,000	'
Forfeiture, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$31.15	'

StockBased_Compensation_Narrat

Stock-Based Compensation Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Cash Received from Exercise of Stock Options	$15,000	$51,000	'
Tax Benefit Realized from Exercise of Stock Options	3,000	24,000	'
Options, Granted (shares)	0	0	'
Options outstanding, Number (shares)	43,000	'	44,000
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price	$15.43	'	$15.43
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term (years)	'1 year 8 months 13 days	'	'1 year 10 months 25 days
Options outstanding, intrinsic value	642,000	'	611,000
Restricted Stock	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Granted, Number (shares)	9,000	'	'
2006 Plan	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Number Authorized (shares)	937,500	'	'
2006 Plan | Restricted Stock	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Award Vesting Period, Minimum (years)	'2 years	'	'
Award Vesting Period, Maximum (years)	'5 years	'	'
Share-based Compensation Expense	$308,000	$241,000	'
2006 Plan - Director Stock Option | Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Award Vesting Period (Years)	'1 year	'	'
2006 Plan - Employee Stock Options | Stock Options	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Annual Vesting Percentage	25.00%	'	'
Number of years after grant date vesting starts (years)	'2 years	'	'
Number of consecutive years vesting occurs after initial vest date (years)	'3 years	'	'
Common Stock	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Granted, Number (shares)	9,000	22,000	'
Common Class B	'	'	'
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award	'	'	'
Restricted Stock Granted, Number (shares)	'	10,000	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	($8,263)	'
Other comprehensive loss, before reclassifications, net of tax	-94	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	-6	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-100	-18
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	-8,363	'
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Marketable Securities	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	114	'
Other comprehensive loss, before reclassifications, net of tax	-9	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	-105	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-114	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	0	'
Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	-8,632	'
Other comprehensive loss, before reclassifications, net of tax	0	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	99	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	99	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	-8,533	'
Cumulative Translation Adjustment	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, beginning	255	'
Other comprehensive loss, before reclassifications, net of tax	-85	'
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	'
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	-85	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Balance, ending	$170	'

Accumulated_Other_Comprehensiv3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Narrative (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income	'
Tax for reclassification adjustment from AOCI for pension and other postretirement benefits	$60,000