CHS (CHSCO) 10-Q 3 Apr 14 2014 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Apr. 03, 2014
DEI [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'CHS Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0000823277	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--08-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	28-Feb-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q2	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	0
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	'No	'
Entity Voluntary Filers	'No	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Public Float	'	'

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$909,169	$1,808,532	$478,341
Receivables	2,658,922	2,935,478	2,751,952
Inventories	3,381,737	2,664,735	3,626,673
Derivative assets	621,523	499,890	501,178
Margin deposits	373,432	340,905	367,113
Supplier advance payments	1,036,037	398,441	1,071,960
Other current assets	283,011	262,779	242,985
Total current assets	9,263,831	8,910,760	9,040,202
Investments	806,816	765,946	693,640
Property, plant and equipment	3,468,473	3,171,404	2,967,181
Other assets	765,137	656,160	464,883
Total assets	14,304,257	13,504,270	13,165,906
Current liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Notes payable	1,074,280	889,312	858,496
Current portion of long-term debt	156,507	156,612	93,363
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,188	65,981	65,227
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	250,932	299,364	279,052
Customer advance payments	1,310,232	432,097	1,292,887
Checks and drafts outstanding	201,913	185,660	208,807
Accounts payable	1,865,423	2,416,038	2,049,731
Derivative liabilities	553,693	465,066	429,975
Accrued expenses	471,156	485,070	527,364
Dividends and equities payable	224,463	390,153	266,180
Total current liabilities	6,173,787	5,785,353	6,071,082
Long-term debt	1,315,653	1,450,420	1,296,207
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	146,852	209,419	206,788
Other liabilities	971,381	906,331	736,981
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'
Equities:	'	'	'
Equity certificates	3,532,770	3,588,346	3,048,499
Preferred stock	602,346	319,368	319,368
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-165,432	-156,867	-230,334
Capital reserves	1,708,641	1,380,361	1,696,380
Total CHS Inc. equities	5,678,325	5,131,208	4,833,913
Noncontrolling interests	18,259	21,539	20,935
Total equities	5,696,584	5,152,747	4,854,848
Total liabilities and equities	$14,304,257	$13,504,270	$13,165,906

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$9,680,274	$9,882,378	$20,706,395	$21,592,316
Cost of goods sold	9,238,840	9,411,731	19,864,045	20,576,151
Gross profit	441,434	470,647	842,350	1,016,165
Marketing, general and administrative	155,771	134,680	288,912	259,162
Operating earnings	285,663	335,967	553,438	757,003
Loss (gain) on investments	-2,609	-45	-2,609	-45
Interest, net	28,989	53,385	59,774	120,595
Equity income from investments	-31,049	-16,760	-63,727	-44,832
Income before income taxes	290,332	299,387	560,000	681,285
Income taxes	29,711	23,869	56,351	59,886
Net income	260,621	275,518	503,649	621,399
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	552	432	1,394	2,606
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	$260,069	$275,086	$502,255	$618,793

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$260,621	$275,518	$503,649	$621,399
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Adjustment, Net of Tax	6,687	28	7,096	61
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	-430	536	1,488	548
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	-11,531	424	-14,665	571
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	-2,856	1,021	-2,484	1,074
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-8,130	2,009	-8,565	2,254
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	252,491	277,527	495,084	623,653
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	552	432	1,394	2,606
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$251,939	$277,095	$493,690	$621,047

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Tax	$4,123	$71	$4,375	$91
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax expense (benefit)	-265	331	917	338
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax expense (benefit)	-7,110	261	-9,042	352
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax expense (benefit)	($1,760)	$629	($1,531)	$663

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$503,649	$621,399
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	127,199	116,912
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	25,033	14,779
Income from equity investments	-63,727	-44,832
Distributions from equity investments	48,357	39,492
Noncash patronage dividends received	-4,779	-4,277
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	-1,520	-2,725
Gain on investments	-2,609	-45
Unrealized loss on crack spread contingent liability	6,497	13,471
Deferred taxes	2,372	-315
Other, net	11,520	293
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Receivables	460,197	256,510
Inventories	-693,903	-404,607
Derivative assets	145,339	-584,600
Margin deposits	-32,527	786,409
Supplier advance payments	-637,003	-387,140
Other current assets and other assets	-40,070	-5,035
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	-48,675	-529,860
Customer advance payments	871,878	600,341
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-558,254	-280,425
Derivative liabilities	88,628	-311,564
Other liabilities	51,862	-33,321
Net cash provided by operating activities	-31,214	1,030,060
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-389,537	-264,332
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	3,081	3,900
Expenditures for major repairs	'	-9,248
Investments in joint ventures and other	-19,849	-9,718
Investments redeemed	4,164	3,132
Proceeds from sale of investments	2,725	'
Changes in notes receivable	-243,247	46,963
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-97,858	-8,074
Other investing activities, net	-3,577	-397
Net cash used in investing activities	-744,098	-237,774
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Changes in notes payable	184,948	55,994
Long-term debt borrowings	1,426	'
Principal payments on long-term debt	-136,389	-50,871
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	-65,981	-65,981
Payments on crack spread contingent liability	-8,670	'
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	16,253	2,755
Preferred stock issued	282,979	'
Preferred stock issuance costs	-9,655	'
Preferred stock dividends paid	-18,153	-12,272
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-575	-740
Retirements of equities	-79,656	-179,369
Cash Patronage Dividends Paid	-287,736	-380,892
Other financing activities, net	1,172	1,112
Net cash used in financing activities	-120,037	-630,264
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-4,014	2,290
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	-899,363	164,312
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,808,532	314,029
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	909,169	478,341
Energy [Member]	'	'
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	66,192	57,256
Income from equity investments	-2,157	271
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-221,918	-173,669
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] | Energy [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	($66,000)	$66,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation and Revisions
	The unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2014 and 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, reflect in the opinion of our management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations and cash flows for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for a full fiscal year because of, among other things, the seasonal nature of our businesses. Our Consolidated Balance Sheet data as of August 31, 2013, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP).
	The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies, which is primarily National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
	These statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended August 31, 2013, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
	We previously reported certain derivative assets and liabilities on a net basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In connection with the issuance of our August 31, 2013 financial statements, we determined that such derivatives should have been reported on a gross basis and have therefore revised our February 28, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet, which resulted in an increase in both derivative assets and derivative liabilities of $212.7 million. The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the six months ended February 28, 2013, has also been revised for this change with no impact to net operating, investing or financing cash flows. We do not believe these revisions are material.
	In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-11, “Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities.” ASU No. 2011-11, and the subsequent amendments issued in ASU No. 2013-01, "Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities," create new disclosure requirements about the nature of an entity’s rights of setoff and related arrangements associated with certain financial instruments and recognized derivative instruments. The disclosure requirements in this update are effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after January 1, 2013. The required disclosures have been included in Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities.
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, "Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income." ASU No. 2013-02 requires an entity to provide information about the effects of significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income, by component, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes to the financial statements and is intended to help improve the transparency of changes in other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-02 does not amend any existing requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. ASU No. 2013-02 became effective for our annual and interim reporting periods beginning in fiscal 2014. The required disclosures have been included in Note 6, Equities.
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill was $104.6 million, $85.1 million and $88.1 million on February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We acquired goodwill of $19.4 million during the six months ended February 28, 2014, which related primarily to acquisitions in our Ag segment for which we paid $97.9 million in cash consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.
	Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and agreements not to compete, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from 2 to 30 years). Excluding goodwill, the gross carrying amount of our intangible assets was $113.5 million, $81.5 million and $81.8 million on February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $46.7 million, $46.0 million and $40.5 million as of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired were $36.2 million and $1.4 million during the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired during the six months ended February 28, 2014, primarily relate to various acquisitions in our Ag segment. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, was $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Year 1	$	8,141
	Year 2	8,654
	Year 3	7,902
	Year 4	6,334
	Year 5	3,543
	Thereafter	31,407
	Total	$	65,981
	In our Energy segment, major maintenance activities (turnarounds) at our two refineries are accounted for under the deferral method. Turnarounds are the scheduled and required shutdowns of refinery processing units. The costs related to the significant overhaul and refurbishment activities include materials and direct labor costs. The costs of turnarounds are deferred when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next turnaround occurs, which is generally 2 to 4 years. The amortization expense related to turnaround costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing the turnaround costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of the turnaround expenditures. The deferral method also results in the classification of the related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred, would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities.
	Supplier Advance Payments
	Beginning November 30, 2013, supplier advance payments are reported as a separate line item on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Prior period amounts have been reclassified accordingly. Supplier advance payments primarily include amounts paid for in-transit grain purchases from suppliers and amounts paid to crop nutrient suppliers to lock in future supply and pricing.
	Customer Advance Payments
	Customer advance payments primarily consist of amounts received from customers for in-transit grain shipments and amounts received from crop nutrients customers for future shipments.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, "Liabilities." ASU No. 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this ASU also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2015.

Receivables

Receivables	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Trade accounts receivable	$	1,804,831	$	2,338,336	$	1,991,909
	CHS Capital notes receivable	561,323		437,141		530,267
	Other	390,925		254,590		346,695
		2,757,079		3,030,067		2,868,871
	Less allowances and reserves	98,157		94,589		116,919
	Total receivables	$	2,658,922	$	2,935,478	$	2,751,952
	Trade accounts receivable are initially recorded at a selling price, which approximates fair value, upon the sale of goods or services to customers. Subsequently, trade accounts receivable are carried at net realizable value, which includes an allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts. We calculate this allowance based on our history of write-offs, level of past due accounts, and our relationships with, and the economics status of, our customers.
	CHS Capital, LLC (CHS Capital), our wholly-owned subsidiary, has notes receivable from commercial borrowers and producer borrowings. The short-term notes receivable generally have terms of 12-14 months and are reported at their outstanding principle balances as CHS Capital has the ability and intent to hold these notes to maturity. The carrying value of CHS Capital notes receivable approximates fair value, given their short duration and the use of market pricing adjusted for risk.The notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of certain regional cooperative’s capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and North Dakota. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers which are collateralized by various combinations of growing crops, livestock, inventories, accounts receivable, personal property and supplemental mortgages. In addition to the short-term amounts included in the table above, CHS Capital had long-term notes receivable with durations of not more than 10 years of $160.2 million, $127.7 million and $120.2 million at February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013 the commercial notes represented 76%, 59% and 79%, respectively, and the producer notes represented 24%, 41% and 21%, respectively, of the total CHS Capital notes receivable.
	CHS Capital evaluates the collectability of both commercial and producer notes on a specific identification basis, based on the amount and quality of the collateral obtained, and records specific loan loss reserves when appropriate. A general reserve is also maintained based on historical loss experience and various qualitative factors. In total, our specific and general loan loss reserves related to CHS Capital are not material to our consolidated financial statements, nor are the historical write-offs. The accrual of interest income is discontinued at the time the loan is 90 days past due unless the credit is well-collateralized and in process of collection. The amount of CHS Capital notes that were past due was not material at any reporting date presented.
	CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to a customer as long as there is no violation of any condition established in the contract. As of February 28, 2014, CHS Capital's customers have additional available credit of $943.7 million.

Inventories

Inventories	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed	$	1,405,236	$	1,133,555	$	1,607,972
	Energy	752,247		742,194		705,160
	Crop nutrients	417,843		293,370		471,487
	Feed and farm supplies	698,816		407,023		725,974
	Processed grain and oilseed	85,622		79,706		94,667
	Other	21,973		8,887		21,413
	Total inventories	$	3,381,737	$	2,664,735	$	3,626,673
	As of February 28, 2014, we valued approximately 14% of inventories, primarily related to Energy, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or market (16% and 14% as of August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively). If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $579.4 million, $652.6 million and $535.1 million at February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. An actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on the inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and costs, and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation.

Investments

Investments	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Investments [Abstract]	'
Investments	'
	Investments
	As of August 31, 2013, we owned 79.2% of NCRA. In fiscal 2012, we entered into an agreement to purchase the remaining shares of NCRA from Growmark Inc. and MFA Oil Company in separate closings to be held annually through fiscal 2016. Pursuant to this agreement, we made payments during the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 of $66.0 million and $66.0 million respectively; increasing our ownership to 84.0%. The present value of the remaining payments is included as mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest on our consolidated balances sheets. In addition to these payments, we paid $16.5 million during the six months ended February 28, 2014 related to the associated crack spread contingent liability. The fair value of the remaining contingent liability was $140.6 million as of February 28, 2014.
	We have a 24% ownership in Horizon Milling, LLC and Horizon Milling G.P., flour milling joint ventures with Cargill Incorporated (Cargill), which are included in Corporate and Other. On March 4, 2013, we entered into a definitive agreement with Cargill and ConAgra Foods, Inc. to form Ardent Mills, a joint venture combining the North American flour milling operations of the three parent companies, including the Horizon Milling, LLC and Horizon Milling G.P. assets, with CHS holding a 12% interest. Upon closing, Ardent Mills is expected to be financed with funds from third-party borrowings, which would not require credit support from the owners. The borrowings are anticipated to be no less than $600 million with proceeds distributed to each owner in proportion to the ownership interests, adjusted for any deviations in specified working capital target amounts. The transaction is expected to close in fiscal 2014, subject to financing and certain other customary closing conditions. In connection with the closing, the parties will also enter into various ancillary and non-compete agreements including, among other things, an agreement for CHS to supply Ardent Mills with certain wheat and durum products.
	We have a 50% interest in Ventura Foods, LLC (Ventura Foods), a joint venture which produces and distributes primarily vegetable oil-based products, and is included in Corporate and Other. We account for Ventura Foods as an equity method investment, and as of February 28, 2014, our carrying value of Ventura Foods exceeded our share of their equity by $12.9 million, which represents equity method goodwill.

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	'
	Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt
		February 28,			August 31,			February 28,
		2014			2013			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Notes payable	$	648,102		$	521,864		$	419,536
	CHS Capital notes payable	426,178			367,448			438,960
	Total notes payable	$	1,074,280		$	889,312		$	858,496
	On February 28, 2014, our primary committed line of credit was a five-year revolving facility with a committed amount of $2.5 billion. We had no amounts outstanding as of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013.
	Interest, net for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Six Months Ended
		February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013			February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest expense	$	11,836		$	23,219		$	34,426		$	47,655
	Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests	21,273			33,991			32,397			80,687
	Capitalized interest	(2,526		)	(2,694		)	(3,862		)	(5,596		)
	Interest income	(1,594		)	(1,131		)	(3,187		)	(2,151		)
	Interest, net	$	28,989		$	53,385		$	59,774		$	120,595
	We terminated interest rate swaps and recorded a resulting $13.5 million gain as a reduction to interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014. See Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Equities

Equities	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equities	'
	Equities
	Preferred Stock
	In September 2013, we issued 11,319,175 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 1 (Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock), with a total redemption value of $283.0 million, excluding accumulated dividends. Net proceeds from the sale of our Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us, were $273.7 million.  The Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol CHSCO and accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.875% per year, which are payable quarterly. Our Class B Series 1 Preferred Stock may not be redeemed at our option until September 26, 2023.
	In March 2014, we issued 16,800,000 shares of Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 2 (Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock), with a total redemption value of $420.0 million, excluding accumulated dividends. Net proceeds from the sale of our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us, were $406.4 million.  The Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ under the symbol CHSCN and accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.10% per year until March 31, 2024, and at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.298%, not to exceed 8.00% per annum, subsequent to March 31, 2024, which are payable quarterly. Our Class B Series 2 Preferred Stock may not be redeemed at our option until March 31, 2024.
	Changes in Equities
	Changes in equities for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013 are as follows:
		For the Six Months Ended
		28-Feb-14			28-Feb-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208		$	4,455,341
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	502,255			618,793
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,565		)	2,254
	Patronage distribution	(840,494		)	(975,732		)
	Patronage accrued	837,527			969,862
	Equities retired	(79,656		)	(179,369		)
	Equity retirements accrued	79,656			179,369
	Equities issued in business combinations	45			18,236
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	273,325
	Preferred stock dividends accrued	(21,867		)	(12,272		)
	Accrued dividends and equities payable	(195,100		)	(249,591		)
	Other, net	(9		)	7,022
	CHS Inc. balances, February 28, 2014 and 2013	$	5,678,325		$	4,833,913
	Noncontrolling interests balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	21,539		$	17,982
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,394			2,606
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(575		)	(740		)
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)
	Other	680			1,087
	Noncontrolling interests balances, February 28, 2014 and 2013	$	18,259		$	20,935
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, were as follows for the six months ended February 28, 2014:
		Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits			Unrealized Net Gain on Available for Sale Investments			Cash Flow Hedges			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	(165,611	)	$	2,370		$	11,685		$	(5,311	)	$	(156,867	)
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	774			1,488			(6,269		)	(2,484		)	(6,491		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,322						(8,396		)				(2,074		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	7,096			1,488			(14,665		)	(2,484		)	(8,565		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2014	$	(158,515	)	$	3,858		$	(2,980	)	$	(7,795	)	$	(165,432	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits and cash flow hedges, and were recorded to net income. Pension and other postretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts as disclosed in Note 7, Benefit Plans. In February 2014, interest rate swaps, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges, were terminated as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014.

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Compensation and Retirement Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Benefit plans	'
	Benefit Plans
	We have various pension and other defined benefit and defined contribution plans, in which substantially all employees may participate. We also have non-qualified supplemental executive and Board retirement plans.
	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		Qualified						Non-Qualified				Other Benefits
		Pension Benefits						Pension Benefits
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended are as follows:
	Service cost	$	7,802		$	7,216		$	248	$	164	$	476		$	634
	Interest cost	8,240			6,501			486		324		502			616
	Expected return on assets	(11,082		)	(11,967		)
	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398			400			57		57		(30		)	(5		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	4,445			5,230			241		211		(187		)	223
	Transition amount amortization											(124		)	174
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	9,803		$	7,380		$	1,032	$	756	$	637		$	1,642
	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the six months ended are as follows:
	Service cost	$	15,269		$	14,432		$	427	$	329	$	958		$	1,267
	Interest cost	14,938			13,006			822		647		1,021			1,232
	Expected return on assets	(23,816		)	(23,923		)
	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	797			799			114		114		(60		)	(9		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	9,089			10,461			468		422		(187		)	446
	Transition amount amortization														349
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	16,277		$	14,775		$	1,831	$	1,512	$	1,732		$	3,285
	Employer Contributions
	Total contributions to be made during fiscal 2014, including the NCRA plan, will depend primarily on market returns on the pension plan assets and minimum funding level requirements. During the six months ended February 28, 2014, CHS and NCRA made no contributions to the pension plans. At this time, we do not anticipate having to make a contribution for our benefit plans in fiscal 2014.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Segment Reporting	'
	Segment Reporting
	We have aligned our segments based on an assessment of how our businesses are operated and the products and services they sell.
	Our Energy segment produces and provides primarily for the wholesale distribution of petroleum products and transportation of those products. Our Ag segment purchases and further processes or resells grains and oilseeds originated by our country operations business, by our member cooperatives and by third parties, and also serves as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs. Corporate and Other primarily represents the non-consolidated wheat milling and packaged food joint ventures, as well as our business solutions operations, which consist of commodities hedging, insurance and financial services related to crop production.
	Corporate administrative expenses are allocated to each business segment, and Corporate and Other, based on direct usage for services that can be tracked, such as information technology and legal, and other factors or considerations relevant to the costs incurred.
	Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and operating results will vary throughout the year. Historically, our income is generally lowest during the second fiscal quarter and highest during the third fiscal quarter. For example, in our Ag segment, agronomy and country operations businesses experience higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and in the fall, which corresponds to harvest. Also in our Ag segment, our grain marketing operations are subject to fluctuations in volumes and earnings based on producer harvests, world grain prices and demand. Our Energy segment generally experiences higher volumes and profitability in certain operating areas, such as refined products, in the summer and early fall when gasoline and diesel fuel usage is highest and is subject to global supply and demand forces. Other energy products, such as propane, may experience higher volumes and profitability during the winter heating and crop drying seasons.
	Our revenues, assets and cash flows can be significantly affected by global market prices for commodities such as petroleum products, natural gas, grains, oilseeds, crop nutrients and flour. Changes in market prices for commodities that we purchase without a corresponding change in the selling prices of those products can affect revenues and operating earnings. Commodity prices are affected by a wide range of factors beyond our control, including the weather, crop damage due to disease or insects, drought, the availability and adequacy of supply, government regulations and policies, world events, and general political and economic conditions.
	While our revenues and operating results are derived from businesses and operations which are wholly-owned and majority-owned, a portion of our business operations are conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests of 50% or less and do not control the operations. We account for these investments primarily using the equity method of accounting, wherein we record our proportionate share of income or loss reported by the entity as equity income from investments, without consolidating the revenues and expenses of the entity in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. In our Ag segment, this principally includes our 50% ownership in TEMCO, LLC (TEMCO). In Corporate and Other, these investments principally include our 50% ownership in Ventura Foods and our 24% ownership in Horizon Milling, LLC and Horizon Milling G.P.
	Reconciling Amounts represent the elimination of revenues between segments. Such transactions are executed at market prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of the individual business segments.
	Segment information for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013 is as follows:
		Energy			Ag			Corporate			Reconciling			Total
								and Other			Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2014:
	Revenues	$	3,468,978		$	6,319,972		$	17,445		$	(126,121	)	$	9,680,274
	Cost of goods sold	3,178,431			6,186,541			(11		)	(126,121		)	9,238,840
	Gross profit	290,547			133,431			17,456			—			441,434
	Marketing, general and administrative	40,148			97,879			17,744						155,771
	Operating earnings	250,399			35,552			(288		)	—			285,663
	(Gain) loss on investments				116			(2,725		)				(2,609		)
	Interest, net	18,692			9,076			1,221						28,989
	Equity (income) loss from investments	(849		)	(8,213		)	(21,987		)				(31,049		)
	Income before income taxes	$	232,556		$	34,573		$	23,203		$	—		$	290,332
	Intersegment revenues	$	(126,121	)							$	126,121		$	—
	For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2013:
	Revenues	$	2,815,736		$	7,150,228		$	19,371		$	(102,957	)	$	9,882,378
	Cost of goods sold	2,505,801			7,009,448			(561		)	(102,957		)	9,411,731
	Gross profit	309,935			140,780			19,932			—			470,647
	Marketing, general and administrative	41,183			74,401			19,096						134,680
	Operating earnings	268,752			66,379			836			—			335,967
	(Gain) loss on investments				(45		)							(45		)
	Interest, net	32,388			17,826			3,171						53,385
	Equity (income) loss from investments	2,155			(1,792		)	(17,123		)				(16,760		)
	Income before income taxes	$	234,209		$	50,390		$	14,788		$	—		$	299,387
	Intersegment revenues	$	(102,957	)							$	102,957		$	—
	For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2014:
	Revenues	$	7,148,212		$	13,808,060		$	34,208		$	(284,085	)	$	20,706,395
	Cost of goods sold	6,683,771			13,464,370			(11		)	(284,085		)	19,864,045
	Gross profit	464,441			343,690			34,219			—			842,350
	Marketing, general and administrative	73,984			182,881			32,047						288,912
	Operating earnings	390,457			160,809			2,172			—			553,438
	(Gain) loss on investments				116			(2,725		)				(2,609		)
	Interest, net	31,168			24,141			4,465						59,774
	Equity (income) loss from investments	(2,157		)	(14,690		)	(46,880		)				(63,727		)
	Income before income taxes	$	361,446		$	151,242		$	47,312		$	—		$	560,000
	Intersegment revenues	$	(284,085	)							$	284,085		$	—
	Goodwill	$	1,165		$	96,552		$	6,898					$	104,615
	Capital expenditures	$	221,918		$	159,634		$	7,985					$	389,537
	Depreciation and amortization	$	66,192		$	55,585		$	5,422					$	127,199
	Total assets at February 28, 2014	$	4,230,665		$	7,539,817		$	2,533,775					$	14,304,257
	For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2013:
	Revenues	$	6,139,964		$	15,651,969		$	36,946		$	(236,563	)	$	21,592,316
	Cost of goods sold	5,496,643			15,317,563			(1,492		)	(236,563		)	20,576,151
	Gross profit	643,321			334,406			38,438			—			1,016,165
	Marketing, general and administrative	77,654			145,388			36,120						259,162
	Operating earnings	565,667			189,018			2,318			—			757,003
	(Gain) loss on investments				(45		)							(45		)
	Interest, net	78,171			36,038			6,386						120,595
	Equity (income) loss from investments	271			(9,739		)	(35,364		)				(44,832		)
	Income before income taxes	$	487,225		$	162,764		$	31,296		$	—		$	681,285
	Intersegment revenues	$	(236,563	)							$	236,563		$	—
	Goodwill	$	1,165		$	80,084		$	6,898					$	88,147
	Capital expenditures	$	173,669		$	87,466		$	3,197					$	264,332
	Depreciation and amortization	$	57,256		$	51,072		$	8,584					$	116,912
	Total assets at February 28, 2013	$	3,656,974		$	7,660,135		$	1,848,797					$	13,165,906

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities
	Our derivative instruments primarily consist of commodity and freight futures and forward contracts and, to a minor degree, may include foreign currency and interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated or accounted for as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, with the exception of certain interest rate swap contracts which are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair values as discussed in Note 10, Fair Value Measurements.
	Even though we have netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter (OTC) contracts, we report our derivatives on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our associated margin deposits are also reported on a gross basis. Many of our derivative contracts with futures and options brokers require us to make both initial margin deposits of cash or other assets and subsequent deposits, depending on changes in commodity prices, in order to comply with applicable regulations. Our margin deposit assets are held by external brokers in segregated accounts and will be used to settle the associated derivative contracts on their specified settlement dates.
	As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:
		28-Feb-14				31-Aug-13				28-Feb-13
		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales
		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts
		(Units in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed - bushels	651,998		1,009,946		521,979		806,295		605,309		906,758
	Energy products - barrels	29,067		32,897		12,626		21,312		12,103		21,575
	Soy products - tons	16		784		24		847		32		333
	Crop nutrients - tons	2,067		2,535		968		1,050		1,553		2,128
	Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,520		234		1,225		151		933		125
	Rail freight - rail cars	298		157		220		43		153		41
	Livestock - pounds			10,800				17,280		2,920		2,520
	The following tables present the gross amounts of derivative assets, derivative liabilities, and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset under ASC 210-10 or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC 815-10-45.
		February 28, 2014
						Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Cash Collateral				Derivative Instruments				Net Amounts
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Derivative Assets:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	615,178							$	53,153			$	562,025
	Foreign exchange derivatives	6,345								1,941				4,404
	Total Derivative Assets	$	621,523							$	55,094			$	566,429
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	550,870			$	26,329			$	53,152			$	471,389
	Foreign exchange derivatives	2,629								1,941				688
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	194												194
	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	553,693			$	26,329			$	55,093			$	472,271
		August 31, 2013
						Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Cash Collateral				Derivative Instruments				Net Amounts
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Derivative Assets:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	468,673							$	53,107			$	415,566
	Foreign exchange derivatives	7,079								957				6,122
	Interest rate derivatives - hedge	24,135												24,135
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	3								3
	Total Derivative Assets	$	499,890							$	54,067			$	445,823
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	458,893			$	1,591			$	53,107			$	404,195
	Foreign exchange derivatives	5,925								957				4,968
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	248								3				245
	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	465,066			$	1,591			$	54,067			$	409,408
		February 28, 2013
						Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Cash Collateral				Derivative Instruments				Net Amounts
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Derivative Assets:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	485,222			$	12,555			$	45,653			$	427,014
	Foreign exchange derivatives	15,497												15,497
	Interest rate derivatives - hedge	459												459
	Total Derivative Assets	$	501,178			$	12,555			$	45,653			$	442,970
	Derivative Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	428,866			$	8,867			$	45,653			$	374,346
	Foreign exchange derivatives	691												691
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	418												418
	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	429,975			$	8,867			$	45,653			$	375,455
	In fiscal 2013, we entered into derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments that were terminated in February 2014 as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014. As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013				February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $9.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively			$	14,930			$	284
	The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013.
			For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
	Location of		February 28, 2014				February 28, 2013				28-Feb-14				28-Feb-13
	Gain (Loss)
			(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold		$	81,210			$	(102,006	)		$	61,421			$	(430,290	)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold		(1,581		)		17,903				(2,003		)		16,218
Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net		52				64				51				126
Total			$	79,681			$	(84,039	)		$	59,469			$	(413,946	)

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements
	The following table presents assets and liabilities, included in on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicates the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair value. Assets and liabilities are classified, in their entirety, based on the lowest level of input that is a significant component of the fair value measurement. The lowest level of input is considered Level 3. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels.
	Fair value measurements at February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013 are as follows:
		28-Feb-14
		Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant		Total
		Active Markets				Other				Unobservable
		for Identical				Observable				Inputs
		Assets				Inputs				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Readily marketable inventories					$	1,318,428					$	1,318,428
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	57,638			557,540						615,178
	Foreign currency derivatives	6,345										6,345
	Other assets	114,261										114,261
	Total Assets	$	178,244			$	1,875,968					$	2,054,212
	Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	90,989			$	459,881					$	550,870
	Interest rate swap derivatives					194						194
	Foreign currency derivatives	2,629										2,629
	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests									$	140,631	140,631
	Total Liabilities	$	93,618			$	460,075			$	140,631	$	694,324
		August 31, 2013
		Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant		Total
		Active Markets				Other				Unobservable
		for Identical				Observable				Inputs
		Assets				Inputs				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Readily marketable inventories					$	1,203,383					$	1,203,383
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	58,441			410,233						468,674
	Interest rate swap derivatives					24,139						24,139
	Foreign currency derivatives	6,894				185						7,079
	Other assets	114,084										114,084
	Total Assets	$	179,419			$	1,637,940					$	1,817,359
	Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	59,184			$	399,710					$	458,894
	Interest rate swap derivatives					248						248
	Foreign currency derivatives	5,925										5,925
	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests									$	134,134	134,134
	Total Liabilities	$	65,109			$	399,958			$	134,134	$	599,201
		28-Feb-13
		Quoted Prices in				Significant				Significant		Total
		Active Markets				Other				Unobservable
		for Identical				Observable				Inputs
		Assets				Inputs				(Level 3)
		(Level 1)				(Level 2)
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Assets:
	Readily marketable inventories					$	1,697,214					$	1,697,214
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	38,327			446,895						485,222
	Interest rate swap derivatives					459						459
	Foreign currency derivatives	15,497										15,497
	Other assets	79,333										79,333
	Total Assets	$	133,157			$	2,144,568					$	2,277,725
	Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	21,084			$	407,782					$	428,866
	Interest rate swap derivatives					418						418
	Foreign currency derivatives	691										691
	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests									$	140,987	140,987
	Total Liabilities	$	21,775			$	408,200			$	140,987	$	570,962
	Readily marketable inventories — Our readily marketable inventories primarily include grain, oilseed, and minimally processed soy-based inventories that are stated at fair values. These commodities are readily marketable, have quoted market prices and may be sold without significant additional processing. We estimate the fair market values of these inventories included in Level 2 primarily based on exchange quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets. Changes in the fair market values of these inventories are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold.
Commodity, freight and foreign currency derivatives — Exchange traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Our forward commodity purchase and sales contracts, flat price or basis fixed derivative contracts, ocean freight contracts and other OTC derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location specific inputs, and are classified within Level 2. The location specific inputs are generally broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold.
Other assets — Our available-for-sale investments in common stock of other companies, deferred compensation investments and Rabbi Trust assets are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices on active exchanges and are classified within Level 1. Changes in the fair values of these other assets are primarily recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses.
Interest rate swap derivatives — Fair values of our interest rate swap liabilities are determined utilizing valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value such OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contracts, as well as market observable inputs, such as interest rates and credit risk assumptions, are factored into the models. As all significant inputs are market observable, all interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2. Changes in the fair values of contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest, net. Changes in the fair values of contracts designated as hedging instruments are deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss in the equity section of our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized into earnings within interest, net over the term of the agreements.
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payment related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — The fair value of the accrued liability was calculated utilizing an average price option model, an adjusted Black-Scholes pricing model commonly used in the energy industry to value options. The model uses market observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Due to significant unobservable inputs used in the pricing model, the liability is classified within Level 3.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
	Fair Value	Valuation		Range
Item	February 28, 2014	Technique	Unobservable Input	(Weighted Average)
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	$140,631	Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model	Forward crack spread margin on February 28, 2014 (a)	$14.81-$22.65 ($18.71)
			Contractual target crack spread margin (b)	$17.50
			Expected volatility (c)	121.03%
			Risk-free interest rate (d)	1.80-2.60% (2.23%)
			Expected life - years (e)	0.50-3.50 (2.12)
(a) Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates
(b) Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties
(c) Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data
(d) Represents yield curves for U.S. Treasury securities
(e) Represents the range in the number of years remaining related to each contingent payment
Valuation processes for Level 3 measurements — Management is responsible for determining the fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments. Option pricing methods are utilized, as indicated above. Inputs used in the option pricing models are based on quotes obtained from third party vendors as well as management estimates for periods in which quotes cannot be obtained. Each reporting period, management reviews the unobservable inputs provided by third-party vendors for reasonableness utilizing relevant information available to us. Management also takes into consideration current and expected market trends and compares the liability’s fair value to hypothetical payments using known historical market data to assess reasonableness of the resulting fair value.
Sensitivity analysis of Level 3 measurements — The significant unobservable inputs that are susceptible to periodic fluctuations used in the fair value measurement of the accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to the purchase of noncontrolling interests are the adjusted forward crack spread margin and the expected volatility. Significant increases (decreases) in either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Although changes in the expected volatility are driven by fluctuations in the underlying crack spread margin, changes in expected volatility are not necessarily accompanied by a directionally similar change in the forward crack spread margin. Directional changes in the expected volatility can be affected by a multitude of factors including the magnitude of daily fluctuations in the underlying market data, market trends, timing of fluctuations, and other factors.
The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		Level 3 Liabilities
		Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests
		2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balances, November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively		$	150,991			$	170,621
Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold		(10,360		)		(29,634		)
Balances, February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, respectively		$	140,631			$	140,987
The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively:
		Level 3 Liabilities
		Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests
		2014				2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively		$	134,134			$	127,516
Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold		6,497				13,471
Balances, February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, respectively		$	140,631			$	140,987
There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 assets and liabilities.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Unconditional Purchase Obligations
	Long-term unconditional purchase obligations primarily relate to pipeline and grain handling take-or-pay and through-put agreements, and are not recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Minimum future payments required under long-term unconditional purchase obligations as of February 28, 2014 are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Less than		3-Jan		5-Mar		More than
				1 Year		Years		Years		5 Years
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Long-term unconditional purchase obligations	$	512,576	$	62,113	$	136,227	$	90,821	$	223,415
	The discounted, aggregate amount of the minimum required payments under long-term unconditional purchase obligations, based on current exchange rates at February 28, 2014 is $437.9 million.
	Guarantees
	We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related companies. As of February 28, 2014, our bank covenants allowed maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $81.4 million was outstanding. We have collateral for a portion of these contingent obligations. We have not recorded a liability related to the contingent obligations as we do not expect to pay out any cash related to them, and the fair values are considered immaterial. The underlying loans to the counterparties for which we provide guarantees are current as of February 28, 2014.
	Contingencies
	In May 2013, we initiated a voluntary recall of certain soy protein products produced at our Ashdod, Israel facility following one customer's report to us of a positive test result for salmonella in product purchased from us. We notified applicable food safety regulators, including the Israel Ministry of Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, of both the positive test result and our determination to conduct a voluntary recall. We have received no reports of salmonella-related illness in relation to the recalled products. We estimate our range of loss associated with this recall to be between $13.5 million and $27.0 million. During the year ended August 31, 2013, we recorded a reserve of $25.0 million, which is the amount within the range that we believe is the best estimate given the claims experience so far. We maintain product liability and general liability insurance (which includes product liability coverage), which we believe will offset some related product liability expenses. However, as of February 28, 2014, no insurance recoveries have been recorded related to this incident.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies, which is primarily National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	'
	Even though we have netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter (OTC) contracts, we report our derivatives on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our associated margin deposits are also reported on a gross basis. Many of our derivative contracts with futures and options brokers require us to make both initial margin deposits of cash or other assets and subsequent deposits, depending on changes in commodity prices, in order to comply with applicable regulations. Our margin deposit assets are held by external brokers in segregated accounts and will be used to settle the associated derivative contracts on their specified settlement dates.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
	Goodwill was $104.6 million, $85.1 million and $88.1 million on February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We acquired goodwill of $19.4 million during the six months ended February 28, 2014, which related primarily to acquisitions in our Ag segment for which we paid $97.9 million in cash consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.
	Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and agreements not to compete, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from 2 to 30 years). Excluding goodwill, the gross carrying amount of our intangible assets was $113.5 million, $81.5 million and $81.8 million on February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $46.7 million, $46.0 million and $40.5 million as of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired were $36.2 million and $1.4 million during the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired during the six months ended February 28, 2014, primarily relate to various acquisitions in our Ag segment. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, was $4.9 million and $5.0 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Year 1	$	8,141
	Year 2	8,654
	Year 3	7,902
	Year 4	6,334
	Year 5	3,543
	Thereafter	31,407
	Total	$	65,981
	In our Energy segment, major maintenance activities (turnarounds) at our two refineries are accounted for under the deferral method. Turnarounds are the scheduled and required shutdowns of refinery processing units. The costs related to the significant overhaul and refurbishment activities include materials and direct labor costs. The costs of turnarounds are deferred when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next turnaround occurs, which is generally 2 to 4 years. The amortization expense related to turnaround costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing the turnaround costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of the turnaround expenditures. The deferral method also results in the classification of the related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred, would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, "Liabilities." ASU No. 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this ASU also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2015.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014																		Aug. 31, 2013									Feb. 28, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'																		'									'
Purchase and Sales Contracts	'																		'									'
	As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:
		28-Feb-14				31-Aug-13				28-Feb-13
		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales
		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts
		(Units in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed - bushels	651,998		1,009,946		521,979		806,295		605,309		906,758
	Energy products - barrels	29,067		32,897		12,626		21,312		12,103		21,575
	Soy products - tons	16		784		24		847		32		333
	Crop nutrients - tons	2,067		2,535		968		1,050		1,553		2,128
	Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,520		234		1,225		151		933		125
	Rail freight - rail cars	298		157		220		43		153		41
	Livestock - pounds			10,800				17,280		2,920		2,520
Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements [Table Text Block]	'																		'									'
		February 28, 2014																		August 31, 2013									February 28, 2013
						Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting																Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting									Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Cash Collateral				Derivative Instruments				Net Amounts						Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts			Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
		(Dollars in thousands)																		(Dollars in thousands)									(Dollars in thousands)
	Derivative Assets:																		Derivative Assets:									Derivative Assets:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	615,178							$	53,153			$	562,025				Commodity and freight derivatives	$	468,673			$	53,107	$	415,566	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	485,222	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	427,014
	Foreign exchange derivatives	6,345								1,941				4,404					Foreign exchange derivatives	7,079				957		6,122		Foreign exchange derivatives	15,497						15,497
	Total Derivative Assets	$	621,523							$	55,094			$	566,429				Interest rate derivatives - hedge	24,135						24,135		Interest rate derivatives - hedge	459						459
	Derivative Liabilities:																		Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	3				3				Total Derivative Assets	$	501,178	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	442,970
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	550,870			$	26,329			$	53,152			$	471,389
																			Total Derivative Assets	$	499,890			$	54,067	$	445,823	Derivative Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange derivatives	2,629								1,941				688														Commodity and freight derivatives	$	428,866	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	374,346
																			Derivative Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	194												194					Commodity and freight derivatives	$	458,893	$	1,591	$	53,107	$	404,195	Foreign exchange derivatives	691						691
	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	553,693			$	26,329			$	55,093			$	472,271				Foreign exchange derivatives	5,925				957		4,968		Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	418						418
																			Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	248				3		245		Total Derivative Liabilities	$	429,975	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	375,455
																			Total Derivative Liabilities	$	465,066	$	1,591	$	54,067	$	409,408
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'																		'									'
	In fiscal 2013, we entered into derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments that were terminated in February 2014 as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014. As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013				February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $9.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively			$	14,930			$	284
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Consolidated Statements of Operations	'																		'									'
	The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013.
				For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
		Location of		February 28, 2014				February 28, 2013				28-Feb-14				28-Feb-13
		Gain (Loss)
				(Dollars in thousands)
	Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold		$	81,210			$	(102,006	)		$	61,421			$	(430,290	)
	Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold		(1,581		)		17,903				(2,003		)		16,218
	Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net		52				64				51				126
	Total			$	79,681			$	(84,039	)		$	59,469			$	(413,946	)
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	'																		'									'
	The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Year 1	$	8,141
	Year 2	8,654
	Year 3	7,902
	Year 4	6,334
	Year 5	3,543
	Thereafter	31,407
	Total	$	65,981

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Trade accounts receivable	$	1,804,831	$	2,338,336	$	1,991,909
	CHS Capital notes receivable	561,323		437,141		530,267
	Other	390,925		254,590		346,695
		2,757,079		3,030,067		2,868,871
	Less allowances and reserves	98,157		94,589		116,919
	Total receivables	$	2,658,922	$	2,935,478	$	2,751,952

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current	'
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed	$	1,405,236	$	1,133,555	$	1,607,972
	Energy	752,247		742,194		705,160
	Crop nutrients	417,843		293,370		471,487
	Feed and farm supplies	698,816		407,023		725,974
	Processed grain and oilseed	85,622		79,706		94,667
	Other	21,973		8,887		21,413
	Total inventories	$	3,381,737	$	2,664,735	$	3,626,673

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb1

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'
		February 28,			August 31,			February 28,
		2014			2013			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Notes payable	$	648,102		$	521,864		$	419,536
	CHS Capital notes payable	426,178			367,448			438,960
	Total notes payable	$	1,074,280		$	889,312		$	858,496
Schedule of Interest,Net	'
	Interest, net for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:
		For the Three Months Ended						For the Six Months Ended
		February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013			February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest expense	$	11,836		$	23,219		$	34,426		$	47,655
	Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests	21,273			33,991			32,397			80,687
	Capitalized interest	(2,526		)	(2,694		)	(3,862		)	(5,596		)
	Interest income	(1,594		)	(1,131		)	(3,187		)	(2,151		)
	Interest, net	$	28,989		$	53,385		$	59,774		$	120,595
	We terminated interest rate swaps and recorded a resulting $13.5 million gain as a reduction to interest expense in our consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014. See Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Equities_Tables

Equities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component, net of tax, were as follows for the six months ended February 28, 2014:
		Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits			Unrealized Net Gain on Available for Sale Investments			Cash Flow Hedges			Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment			Total
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Balance as of August 31, 2013	$	(165,611	)	$	2,370		$	11,685		$	(5,311	)	$	(156,867	)
	Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	774			1,488			(6,269		)	(2,484		)	(6,491		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,322						(8,396		)				(2,074		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	7,096			1,488			(14,665		)	(2,484		)	(8,565		)
	Balance as of February 28, 2014	$	(158,515	)	$	3,858		$	(2,980	)	$	(7,795	)	$	(165,432	)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits and cash flow hedges, and were recorded to net income. Pension and other postretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts as disclosed in Note 7, Benefit Plans. In February 2014, interest rate swaps, which were previously accounted for as cash flow hedges, were terminated as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014.
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in equities for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013 are as follows:
		For the Six Months Ended
		28-Feb-14			28-Feb-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208		$	4,455,341
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	502,255			618,793
	Other comprehensive income (loss)	(8,565		)	2,254
	Patronage distribution	(840,494		)	(975,732		)
	Patronage accrued	837,527			969,862
	Equities retired	(79,656		)	(179,369		)
	Equity retirements accrued	79,656			179,369
	Equities issued in business combinations	45			18,236
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	273,325
	Preferred stock dividends accrued	(21,867		)	(12,272		)
	Accrued dividends and equities payable	(195,100		)	(249,591		)
	Other, net	(9		)	7,022
	CHS Inc. balances, February 28, 2014 and 2013	$	5,678,325		$	4,833,913
	Noncontrolling interests balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	21,539		$	17,982
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,394			2,606
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(575		)	(740		)
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)
	Other	680			1,087
	Noncontrolling interests balances, February 28, 2014 and 2013	$	18,259		$	20,935

Benefit_Plans_Schedule_of_Net_

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	'
		Qualified						Non-Qualified				Other Benefits
		Pension Benefits						Pension Benefits
		2014			2013			2014		2013		2014			2013
	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended are as follows:
	Service cost	$	7,802		$	7,216		$	248	$	164	$	476		$	634
	Interest cost	8,240			6,501			486		324		502			616
	Expected return on assets	(11,082		)	(11,967		)
	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398			400			57		57		(30		)	(5		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	4,445			5,230			241		211		(187		)	223
	Transition amount amortization											(124		)	174
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	9,803		$	7,380		$	1,032	$	756	$	637		$	1,642
	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the six months ended are as follows:
	Service cost	$	15,269		$	14,432		$	427	$	329	$	958		$	1,267
	Interest cost	14,938			13,006			822		647		1,021			1,232
	Expected return on assets	(23,816		)	(23,923		)
	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	797			799			114		114		(60		)	(9		)
	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	9,089			10,461			468		422		(187		)	446
	Transition amount amortization														349
	Net periodic benefit cost	$	16,277		$	14,775		$	1,831	$	1,512	$	1,732		$	3,285

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Segment information for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013 is as follows:
		Energy			Ag			Corporate			Reconciling			Total
								and Other			Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2014:
	Revenues	$	3,468,978		$	6,319,972		$	17,445		$	(126,121	)	$	9,680,274
	Cost of goods sold	3,178,431			6,186,541			(11		)	(126,121		)	9,238,840
	Gross profit	290,547			133,431			17,456			—			441,434
	Marketing, general and administrative	40,148			97,879			17,744						155,771
	Operating earnings	250,399			35,552			(288		)	—			285,663
	(Gain) loss on investments				116			(2,725		)				(2,609		)
	Interest, net	18,692			9,076			1,221						28,989
	Equity (income) loss from investments	(849		)	(8,213		)	(21,987		)				(31,049		)
	Income before income taxes	$	232,556		$	34,573		$	23,203		$	—		$	290,332
	Intersegment revenues	$	(126,121	)							$	126,121		$	—
	For the Three Months Ended February 28, 2013:
	Revenues	$	2,815,736		$	7,150,228		$	19,371		$	(102,957	)	$	9,882,378
	Cost of goods sold	2,505,801			7,009,448			(561		)	(102,957		)	9,411,731
	Gross profit	309,935			140,780			19,932			—			470,647
	Marketing, general and administrative	41,183			74,401			19,096						134,680
	Operating earnings	268,752			66,379			836			—			335,967
	(Gain) loss on investments				(45		)							(45		)
	Interest, net	32,388			17,826			3,171						53,385
	Equity (income) loss from investments	2,155			(1,792		)	(17,123		)				(16,760		)
	Income before income taxes	$	234,209		$	50,390		$	14,788		$	—		$	299,387
	Intersegment revenues	$	(102,957	)							$	102,957		$	—
	For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2014:
	Revenues	$	7,148,212		$	13,808,060		$	34,208		$	(284,085	)	$	20,706,395
	Cost of goods sold	6,683,771			13,464,370			(11		)	(284,085		)	19,864,045
	Gross profit	464,441			343,690			34,219			—			842,350
	Marketing, general and administrative	73,984			182,881			32,047						288,912
	Operating earnings	390,457			160,809			2,172			—			553,438
	(Gain) loss on investments				116			(2,725		)				(2,609		)
	Interest, net	31,168			24,141			4,465						59,774
	Equity (income) loss from investments	(2,157		)	(14,690		)	(46,880		)				(63,727		)
	Income before income taxes	$	361,446		$	151,242		$	47,312		$	—		$	560,000
	Intersegment revenues	$	(284,085	)							$	284,085		$	—
	Goodwill	$	1,165		$	96,552		$	6,898					$	104,615
	Capital expenditures	$	221,918		$	159,634		$	7,985					$	389,537
	Depreciation and amortization	$	66,192		$	55,585		$	5,422					$	127,199
	Total assets at February 28, 2014	$	4,230,665		$	7,539,817		$	2,533,775					$	14,304,257
	For the Six Months Ended February 28, 2013:
	Revenues	$	6,139,964		$	15,651,969		$	36,946		$	(236,563	)	$	21,592,316
	Cost of goods sold	5,496,643			15,317,563			(1,492		)	(236,563		)	20,576,151
	Gross profit	643,321			334,406			38,438			—			1,016,165
	Marketing, general and administrative	77,654			145,388			36,120						259,162
	Operating earnings	565,667			189,018			2,318			—			757,003
	(Gain) loss on investments				(45		)							(45		)
	Interest, net	78,171			36,038			6,386						120,595
	Equity (income) loss from investments	271			(9,739		)	(35,364		)				(44,832		)
	Income before income taxes	$	487,225		$	162,764		$	31,296		$	—		$	681,285
	Intersegment revenues	$	(236,563	)							$	236,563		$	—
	Goodwill	$	1,165		$	80,084		$	6,898					$	88,147
	Capital expenditures	$	173,669		$	87,466		$	3,197					$	264,332
	Depreciation and amortization	$	57,256		$	51,072		$	8,584					$	116,912
	Total assets at February 28, 2013	$	3,656,974		$	7,660,135		$	1,848,797					$	13,165,906

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Financial Insturments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014																		Aug. 31, 2013									Feb. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'																		'									'
Purchase and Sales Contracts	'																		'									'
	As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:
		28-Feb-14				31-Aug-13				28-Feb-13
		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales		Purchase		Sales
		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts		Contracts
		(Units in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed - bushels	651,998		1,009,946		521,979		806,295		605,309		906,758
	Energy products - barrels	29,067		32,897		12,626		21,312		12,103		21,575
	Soy products - tons	16		784		24		847		32		333
	Crop nutrients - tons	2,067		2,535		968		1,050		1,553		2,128
	Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,520		234		1,225		151		933		125
	Rail freight - rail cars	298		157		220		43		153		41
	Livestock - pounds			10,800				17,280		2,920		2,520
Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements [Table Text Block]	'																		'									'
		February 28, 2014																		August 31, 2013									February 28, 2013
						Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting																Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting									Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
		Gross Amounts Recognized				Cash Collateral				Derivative Instruments				Net Amounts						Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts			Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
		(Dollars in thousands)																		(Dollars in thousands)									(Dollars in thousands)
	Derivative Assets:																		Derivative Assets:									Derivative Assets:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	615,178							$	53,153			$	562,025				Commodity and freight derivatives	$	468,673			$	53,107	$	415,566	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	485,222	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	427,014
	Foreign exchange derivatives	6,345								1,941				4,404					Foreign exchange derivatives	7,079				957		6,122		Foreign exchange derivatives	15,497						15,497
	Total Derivative Assets	$	621,523							$	55,094			$	566,429				Interest rate derivatives - hedge	24,135						24,135		Interest rate derivatives - hedge	459						459
	Derivative Liabilities:																		Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	3				3				Total Derivative Assets	$	501,178	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	442,970
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	550,870			$	26,329			$	53,152			$	471,389
																			Total Derivative Assets	$	499,890			$	54,067	$	445,823	Derivative Liabilities:
	Foreign exchange derivatives	2,629								1,941				688														Commodity and freight derivatives	$	428,866	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	374,346
																			Derivative Liabilities:
	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	194												194					Commodity and freight derivatives	$	458,893	$	1,591	$	53,107	$	404,195	Foreign exchange derivatives	691						691
	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	553,693			$	26,329			$	55,093			$	472,271				Foreign exchange derivatives	5,925				957		4,968		Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	418						418
																			Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	248				3		245		Total Derivative Liabilities	$	429,975	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	375,455
																			Total Derivative Liabilities	$	465,066	$	1,591	$	54,067	$	409,408
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'																		'									'
	In fiscal 2013, we entered into derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments that were terminated in February 2014 as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014. As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:
		February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013				February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $9.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively			$	14,930			$	284
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Consolidated Statements of Operations	'																		'									'
	The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013.
				For the Three Months Ended								For the Six Months Ended
		Location of		February 28, 2014				February 28, 2013				28-Feb-14				28-Feb-13
		Gain (Loss)
				(Dollars in thousands)
	Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold		$	81,210			$	(102,006	)		$	61,421			$	(430,290	)
	Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold		(1,581		)		17,903				(2,003		)		16,218
	Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net		52				64				51				126
	Total			$	79,681			$	(84,039	)		$	59,469			$	(413,946	)

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block]	'
	Minimum future payments required under long-term unconditional purchase obligations as of February 28, 2014 are as follows:
		Payments Due by Period
		Total		Less than		3-Jan		5-Mar		More than
				1 Year		Years		Years		5 Years
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Long-term unconditional purchase obligations	$	512,576	$	62,113	$	136,227	$	90,821	$	223,415

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Purchase and Sales Contracts Outstanding (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member])	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
	Bushels	Bushels	Bushels
Long [Member] | Grain and oilseed - bushels	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	651,998,000	521,979,000	605,309,000
Long [Member] | Energy products - barrels	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	29,067,000	12,626,000	12,103,000
Long [Member] | Soy products - tons	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	16,000	24,000	32,000
Long [Member] | Crop nutrients - tons	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	2,067,000	968,000	1,553,000
Long [Member] | Rail freight - rail cars	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	298,000	220,000	153,000
Long [Member] | Derivative number of units livestock [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	'	'	2,920,000
Short [Member] | Grain and oilseed - bushels	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,009,946,000	806,295,000	906,758,000
Short [Member] | Energy products - barrels	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	32,897,000	21,312,000	21,575,000
Short [Member] | Soy products - tons	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	784,000	847,000	333,000
Short [Member] | Crop nutrients - tons	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	2,535,000	1,050,000	125,000
Short [Member] | Rail freight - rail cars	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	157,000	43,000	41,000
Short [Member] | Derivative number of units livestock [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	10,800,000	17,280,000	2,520,000

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014
				Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Immaterial Balance Sheet Revision [Member]
										Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$621,523,000	$499,890,000	$501,178,000	$615,178,000	$468,673,000	$485,222,000	$6,345,000	$7,079,000	$15,497,000	$24,135,000	$459,000	'	$3,000	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	566,429,000	445,823,000	442,970,000	562,025,000	415,566,000	427,014,000	4,404,000	6,122,000	15,497,000	24,135,000	459,000	'	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,094,000	54,067,000	45,653,000	53,153,000	53,107,000	45,653,000	1,941,000	957,000	'	'	'	'	3,000	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Net	566,429,000	445,823,000	442,970,000	562,025,000	415,566,000	427,014,000	4,404,000	6,122,000	15,497,000	24,135,000	459,000	'	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	553,693,000	465,066,000	429,975,000	550,870,000	458,893,000	428,866,000	2,629,000	5,925,000	691,000	'	'	194,000	248,000	418,000	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	212,700,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	472,271,000	409,408,000	375,455,000	471,389,000	404,195,000	374,346,000	688,000	4,968,000	691,000	'	'	194,000	245,000	418,000	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,093,000	54,067,000	45,653,000	53,152,000	53,107,000	45,653,000	1,941,000	957,000	'	'	'	'	3,000	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Net	$472,271,000	$409,408,000	$375,455,000	$471,389,000	$404,195,000	$374,346,000	$688,000	$4,968,000	$691,000	'	'	$194,000	$245,000	$418,000	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$621,523	$499,890	$501,178
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	566,429	445,823	442,970
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,094	54,067	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	553,693	465,066	429,975
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	472,271	409,408	375,455
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,093	54,067	45,653
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	3	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	3	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	194	248	418
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	194	245	418
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	3	'
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	615,178	468,673	485,222
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	562,025	415,566	427,014
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,153	53,107	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	550,870	458,893	428,866
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	471,389	404,195	374,346
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,152	53,107	45,653
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	7,079	15,497
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	4,404	6,122	15,497
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	1,941	957	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	688	4,968	691
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	$1,941	$957	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivates Accounted for as Hedging Instruments, Net of Tax (Details) (Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], Interest Rate Swap [Member], Cash Flow Hedging [Member], USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	'	$14,930	$284

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Pretax Gains (Losses) On Derivatives Not Accounted For As Hedging Instruments (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$79,681	($84,039)	$59,469	($413,946)
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	81,210	-102,006	61,421	-430,290
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	-1,581	17,903	-2,003	16,218
Interest rate derivatives | Interest, net	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$52	$64	$51	$126

Summary_of_Significant_Account8

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
	Refineries
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$104,615,000	$88,147,000	$85,100,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	19,400,000	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	97,858,000	8,074,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	113,500,000	81,800,000	81,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	46,700,000	40,500,000	46,000,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	36,200,000	1,400,000	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	4,900,000	5,000,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Rolling Twelve Months	8,141,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	8,654,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	7,902,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	6,334,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	3,543,000	'	'
Thereafter	31,407,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	65,981,000	'	'
Number of Refineries	2	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'2 years	'	'
Minimum [Member] | Major Maintenance Activities Requiring Shutdown [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'2 years	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'30 years	'	'
Maximum [Member] | Major Maintenance Activities Requiring Shutdown [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life	'4 years	'	'
Ag Business [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	96,552,000	80,084,000	'
Ag Business [Member] | Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$97,900,000	'	'

Summary_of_Significant_Account9

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Parenthetical (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, tax effect of unrealized gain or loss deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income	$0	$0	$0

Recovered_Sheet1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$621,523	$499,890	$501,178
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	12,555
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	566,429	445,823	442,970
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,094	54,067	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	553,693	465,066	429,975
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	472,271	409,408	375,455
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,093	54,067	45,653
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	615,178	468,673	485,222
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	12,555
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	562,025	415,566	427,014
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,153	53,107	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	550,870	458,893	428,866
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	471,389	404,195	374,346
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,152	53,107	45,653
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	7,079	15,497
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	4,404	6,122	15,497
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	1,941	957	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	688	4,968	691
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	1,941	957	'
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	'	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	3	'
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	3	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	194	248	418
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	194	245	418
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	$3	'

Receivables_Schedule_of_Receiv

Receivables - Schedule of Receivables (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$1,804,831	$2,338,336	$1,991,909
CHS Capital notes receivable	561,323	437,141	530,267
Other	390,925	254,590	346,695
Receivables, gross	2,757,079	3,030,067	2,868,871
Less allowances and reserves	98,157	94,589	116,919
Receivables, net	$2,658,922	$2,935,478	$2,751,952

Receivables_Narrative_Details

Receivables - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Notes Receivable, Long-Term	'	'	'
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	$160.20	$127.70	$120.20
Percentage of commercial notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	76.00%	59.00%	79.00%
Percentage of producer notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	24.00%	41.00%	21.00%
Interest income accrual, discontinue, term	'90 days	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Short-Term	'	'	'
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable, term	'12 months	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Short-Term	'	'	'
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable, term	'14 months	'	'
Notes and Loans Receivable, Net, Noncurrent, Term	'10 years	'	'
CHS [Member]	'	'	'
Notes Receivable, Long-Term	'	'	'
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$943.70	'	'

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Grain and Oilseed	$1,405,236	$1,133,555	$1,607,972
Energy	752,247	742,194	705,160
Crop nutrients	417,843	293,370	471,487
Feed and farm supplies	698,816	407,023	725,974
Processed grain and oilseed	85,622	79,706	94,667
Other	21,973	8,887	21,413
Inventories	$3,381,737	$2,664,735	$3,626,673

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of LIFO inventory	14.00%	16.00%	14.00%
LIFO inventory, difference amount had FIFO inventory valuation method been used	$579.40	$652.60	$535.10

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
			Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]	Ventura Foods, LLC	Energy [Member]	Energy [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]	Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
					National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]	National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]	Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
							National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]	National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]	National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	$65,981,000	$65,981,000	'	'	$66,000,000	($66,000,000)	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'	'	140,631,000	'	140,631,000	134,134,000	140,987,000
Ownership percentage	'	'	24.00%	50.00%	'	'	'	'	'
Expected ownership of future joint venture	0.00%	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Expected borrowings of future joint venture	600,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Equity value exceeding carrying value	'	'	'	$12,900,000	'	'	'	'	'

Investments_Schedule_of_Equity

Investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investment Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.	$31,049	$16,760	$63,727	$44,832

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb2

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Footnote Narrative (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
				CHS Capital notes payable	CHS Capital notes payable	CHS Capital notes payable	Notes payable	Notes payable	Notes payable	Five-Year Revolving Facilities [Member]	Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
										Line of Credit [Member]	Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
										Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI on Derivatives, Tax	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$13,500,000
Notes payable	1,074,280,000	889,312,000	858,496,000	426,178,000	367,448,000	438,960,000	648,102,000	521,864,000	419,536,000	'	'
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$2,500,000,000	'

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb3

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Interest, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$11,836	$23,219	$34,426	$47,655
Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interest	21,273	33,991	32,397	80,687
Interest Costs Capitalized	-2,526	-2,694	-3,862	-5,596
Interest income	-1,594	-1,131	-3,187	-2,151
Interest Income (Expense), Net	$28,989	$53,385	$59,774	$120,595

Equities_Changes_in_Equity_Det

Equities Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2013

Nov. 30, 2013

Sep. 03, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

31-May-14

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Patronage Refunds [Member]

Patronage Refunds [Member]

Capital equity certificates [Member]

Capital equity certificates [Member]

Capital Reserves [Member]

Capital Reserves [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Class B Series 1 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 1 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation

'

'

($4,779,000)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

11,319,175

16,800,000

'

'

'

Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent

'

'

5,131,208,000

4,455,341,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to CHS Inc.

260,069,000

275,086,000

502,255,000

618,793,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

'

'

-8,565,000

2,254,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Patronage distribution

'

'

'

'

-840,494,000

-975,732,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equities retired

'

'

-79,656,000

-179,369,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividends and equity retirement determination

'

'

'

'

837,527,000

969,862,000

79,656,000

179,369,000

-21,867,000

-12,272,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equities issued in business combinations

'

'

'

'

'

'

45,000

18,236,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred stock dividends

'

'

-18,153,000

-12,272,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued dividends and equities payable

'

'

195,100,000

-249,591,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Other, net

'

'

-9,000

7,022,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

680,000

1,087,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent

5,678,325,000

4,833,913,000

5,678,325,000

4,833,913,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

'

'

21,539,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

17,982,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

552,000

432,000

1,394,000

2,606,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

18,259,000

20,935,000

18,259,000

20,935,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

'

'

-575,000

-740,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

283,000,000

420,000,000

'

'

'

Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs

'

'

$273,325,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$273,700,000

'

'

$406,400,000

'

'

Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

7.88%

'

7.10%

'

'

8.00%

Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.30%

'

Equities_Accumulated_Other_Com

Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($165,432)	($230,334)	($165,432)	($230,334)	($156,867)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	-8,130	2,009	-8,565	2,254	'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-158,515	'	-158,515	'	-165,611
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	774	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	6,322	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	7,096	'	'
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,795	'	-7,795	'	-5,311
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-2,484	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-2,484	'	'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,980	'	-2,980	'	11,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-6,269	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-8,396	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-14,665	'	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,858	'	3,858	'	2,370
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	1,488	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	1,488	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-6,491	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-2,074	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	($8,565)	'	'

Benefit_Plans_Net_Periodic_Ben

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Qualified Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	$7,802	$7,216	$15,269	$14,432
Interest costs	8,240	6,501	14,938	13,006
Expected return on assets	-11,082	-11,967	-23,816	-23,923
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398	400	797	799
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	4,445	5,230	9,089	10,461
Transition amount amortization	'	'	'	'
Periodic benefit costs, net	9,803	7,380	16,277	14,775
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	'	'	0	'
Non-Qualified Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	248	164	427	329
Interest costs	486	324	822	647
Expected return on assets	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	57	57	114	114
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	241	211	468	422
Transition amount amortization	'	'	'	'
Periodic benefit costs, net	1,032	756	1,831	1,512
Other Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	476	634	958	1,267
Interest costs	502	616	1,021	1,232
Expected return on assets	'	'	'	'
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	-30	-5	-60	-9
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	-187	223	-187	446
Transition amount amortization	-124	174	'	349
Periodic benefit costs, net	$637	$1,642	$1,732	$3,285

Segment_Reporting_Narrative_De

Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	Feb. 28, 2014
Ventura Foods, LLC	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	50.00%
Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	24.00%
Ag Business | TEMCO, LLC	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	50.00%
Corporate and Other | Ventura Foods, LLC	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	50.00%
Corporate and Other | Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	24.00%

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Info

Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$9,680,274	$9,882,378	$20,706,395	$21,592,316	'
Cost of goods sold	9,238,840	9,411,731	19,864,045	20,576,151	'
Gross profit	441,434	470,647	842,350	1,016,165	'
Marketing, general and administrative	155,771	134,680	288,912	259,162	'
Operating earnings	285,663	335,967	553,438	757,003	'
Loss (gain) on investments	-2,609	-45	-2,609	-45	'
Interest, net	28,989	53,385	59,774	120,595	'
Equity income from investments	-31,049	-16,760	-63,727	-44,832	'
Income before income taxes	290,332	299,387	560,000	681,285	'
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0	'
Goodwill	104,615	88,147	104,615	88,147	85,100
Capital expenditures	'	'	389,537	264,332	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	127,199	116,912	'
Total identifiable assets	14,304,257	13,165,906	14,304,257	13,165,906	13,504,270
Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,468,978	2,815,736	7,148,212	6,139,964	'
Cost of goods sold	3,178,431	2,505,801	6,683,771	5,496,643	'
Gross profit	290,547	309,935	464,441	643,321	'
Marketing, general and administrative	40,148	41,183	73,984	77,654	'
Operating earnings	250,399	268,752	390,457	565,667	'
Loss (gain) on investments	'	'	'	'	'
Interest, net	18,692	32,388	31,168	78,171	'
Equity income from investments	-849	2,155	-2,157	271	'
Income before income taxes	232,556	234,209	361,446	487,225	'
Revenue from Related Parties	-126,121	-102,957	-284,085	-236,563	'
Goodwill	1,165	1,165	1,165	1,165	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	221,918	173,669	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	66,192	57,256	'
Total identifiable assets	4,230,665	3,656,974	4,230,665	3,656,974	'
Ag Business	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	6,319,972	7,150,228	13,808,060	15,651,969	'
Cost of goods sold	6,186,541	7,009,448	13,464,370	15,317,563	'
Gross profit	133,431	140,780	343,690	334,406	'
Marketing, general and administrative	97,879	74,401	182,881	145,388	'
Operating earnings	35,552	66,379	160,809	189,018	'
Loss (gain) on investments	116	-45	116	-45	'
Interest, net	9,076	17,826	24,141	36,038	'
Equity income from investments	-8,213	-1,792	-14,690	-9,739	'
Income before income taxes	34,573	50,390	151,242	162,764	'
Goodwill	96,552	80,084	96,552	80,084	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	159,634	87,466	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	55,585	51,072	'
Total identifiable assets	7,539,817	7,660,135	7,539,817	7,660,135	'
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	17,445	19,371	34,208	36,946	'
Cost of goods sold	-11	-561	-11	-1,492	'
Gross profit	17,456	19,932	34,219	38,438	'
Marketing, general and administrative	17,744	19,096	32,047	36,120	'
Operating earnings	-288	836	2,172	2,318	'
Loss (gain) on investments	'	'	'	'	'
Interest, net	1,221	3,171	4,465	6,386	'
Equity income from investments	-21,987	-17,123	-46,880	-35,364	'
Income before income taxes	23,203	14,788	47,312	31,296	'
Goodwill	6,898	6,898	6,898	6,898	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	7,985	3,197	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	5,422	8,584	'
Total identifiable assets	2,533,775	1,848,797	2,533,775	1,848,797	'
Reconciling Amounts	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-126,121	-102,957	-284,085	-236,563	'
Cost of goods sold	-126,121	-102,957	-284,085	-236,563	'
Gross profit	0	0	0	0	'
Operating earnings	0	0	0	0	'
Income before income taxes	0	0	0	0	'
Revenue from Related Parties	$126,121	$102,957	$284,085	$236,563	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member])	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
	Bushels	Bushels	Bushels
Grain and oilseed - bushels | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	651,998,000	521,979,000	605,309,000
Grain and oilseed - bushels | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,009,946,000	806,295,000	906,758,000
Energy products - barrels | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	29,067,000	12,626,000	12,103,000
Energy products - barrels | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	32,897,000	21,312,000	21,575,000
Soy products - tons | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	16,000	24,000	32,000
Soy products - tons | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	784,000	847,000	333,000
Crop nutrients - tons | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,520,000	968,000	933,000
Crop nutrients - tons | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	2,535,000	1,050,000	125,000
Rail freight - rail cars | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	298,000	220,000	153,000
Rail freight - rail cars | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	157,000	43,000	41,000
Derivative number of units livestock [Member] | Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	'	'	2,920,000
Derivative number of units livestock [Member] | Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	10,800,000	17,280,000	2,520,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$566,429	$445,823	$442,970
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	621,523	499,890	501,178
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	12,555
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,094	54,067	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	472,271	409,408	375,455
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	553,693	465,066	429,975
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	26,329	1,591	8,867
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	55,093	54,067	45,653
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	562,025	415,566	427,014
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	615,178	468,673	485,222
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	12,555
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,153	53,107	45,653
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	471,389	404,195	374,346
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	550,870	458,893	428,866
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	26,329	1,591	8,867
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	53,152	53,107	45,653
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	4,404	6,122	15,497
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	7,079	15,497
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	1,941	957	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	688	4,968	691
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	1,941	957	'
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	3	'
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	3	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	194	245	418
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	194	248	418
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	3	'
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	24,135	459
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	'	'	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen4

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Gains (Losses) Included in Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives Accounted for as Hedging Instruments, Net of Tax (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, tax effect of unrealized gain or loss deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income	$0	$0	$0
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Cumulative Changes in Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges, Effect Net of Tax	'	$14,930,000	$284,000

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen5

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Pretax Gains (Losses) On Derivatives Not Accounted For As Hedging Instruments (Details) (Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$79,681	($84,039)	$59,469	($413,946)
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	81,210	-102,006	61,421	-430,290
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	-1,581	17,903	-2,003	16,218
Interest rate derivatives | Interest, net	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$52	$64	$51	$126

Fair_Value_Measurements_Recurr

Fair Value Measurements Recurring Fair Value Measurements by Level (Details) (USD $)

6 Months Ended

In Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Feb. 28, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

$621,523

$499,890

$501,178

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

553,693

465,066

429,975

Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring

'

'

'

28-Feb-14

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Significant

Total

Active Markets

Other

Unobservable

for Identical

Observable

Inputs

Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

Readily marketable inventories

$

1,318,428

$

1,318,428

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

57,638

557,540

615,178

Foreign currency derivatives

6,345

6,345

Other assets

114,261

114,261

Total Assets

$

178,244

$

1,875,968

$

2,054,212

Liabilities:

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

90,989

$

459,881

$

550,870

Interest rate swap derivatives

194

194

Foreign currency derivatives

2,629

2,629

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

$

140,631

140,631

Total Liabilities

$

93,618

$

460,075

$

140,631

$

694,324

August 31, 2013

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Significant

Total

Active Markets

Other

Unobservable

for Identical

Observable

Inputs

Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

Readily marketable inventories

$

1,203,383

$

1,203,383

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

58,441

410,233

468,674

Interest rate swap derivatives

24,139

24,139

Foreign currency derivatives

6,894

185

7,079

Other assets

114,084

114,084

Total Assets

$

179,419

$

1,637,940

$

1,817,359

Liabilities:

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

59,184

$

399,710

$

458,894

Interest rate swap derivatives

248

248

Foreign currency derivatives

5,925

5,925

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

$

134,134

134,134

Total Liabilities

$

65,109

$

399,958

$

134,134

$

599,201

28-Feb-13

Quoted Prices in

Significant

Significant

Total

Active Markets

Other

Unobservable

for Identical

Observable

Inputs

Assets

Inputs

(Level 3)

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Dollars in thousands)

Assets:

Readily marketable inventories

$

1,697,214

$

1,697,214

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

38,327

446,895

485,222

Interest rate swap derivatives

459

459

Foreign currency derivatives

15,497

15,497

Other assets

79,333

79,333

Total Assets

$

133,157

$

2,144,568

$

2,277,725

Liabilities:

Commodity and freight derivatives

$

21,084

$

407,782

$

428,866

Interest rate swap derivatives

418

418

Foreign currency derivatives

691

691

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

$

140,987

140,987

Total Liabilities

$

21,775

$

408,200

$

140,987

$

570,962

Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information

'

'

'

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value

Valuation

Range

Item

February 28, 2014

Technique

Unobservable Input

(Weighted Average)

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

$140,631

Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model

Forward crack spread margin on February 28, 2014 (a)

$14.81-$22.65 ($18.71)

Contractual target crack spread margin (b)

$17.50

Expected volatility (c)

121.03%

Risk-free interest rate (d)

1.80-2.60% (2.23%)

Expected life - years (e)

0.50-3.50 (2.12)

(a) Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates

(b) Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties

(c) Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data

(d) Represents yield curves for U.S. Treasury securities

(e) Represents the range in the number of years remaining related to each contingent payment

Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation

'

'

'

The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

Level 3 Liabilities

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

2014

2013

(Dollars in thousands)

Balances, November 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively

$

150,991

$

170,621

Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold

(10,360

)

(29,634

)

Balances, February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, respectively

$

140,631

$

140,987

The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

Level 3 Liabilities

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests

2014

2013

(Dollars in thousands)

Balances, August 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively

$

134,134

$

127,516

Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold

6,497

13,471

Balances, February 28, 2014 and February 28, 2013, respectively

$

140,631

$

140,987

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

114,261

114,084

79,333

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

178,244

179,419

133,157

Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure

93,618

65,109

21,775

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure

1,318,428

1,203,383

1,697,214

Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

1,875,968

1,637,940

2,144,568

Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure

460,075

399,958

408,200

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

'

'

'

Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure

140,631

134,134

140,987

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure

1,318,428

1,203,383

1,697,214

Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

114,261

114,084

79,333

Assets, Fair Value Disclosure

2,054,212

1,817,359

2,277,725

Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure

694,324

599,201

570,962

Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

615,178

468,673

485,222

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

550,870

458,893

428,866

Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

57,638

58,441

38,327

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

90,989

59,184

21,084

Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

557,540

410,233

446,895

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

459,881

399,710

407,782

Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

615,178

468,674

485,222

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

550,870

458,894

428,866

Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

24,139

459

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

194

248

418

Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

24,139

459

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

194

248

418

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

6,345

7,079

15,497

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

2,629

5,925

691

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

6,345

6,894

15,497

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

2,629

5,925

691

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

185

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

'

'

'

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

'

'

'

Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]

'

'

'

Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]

'

'

'

Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset

6,345

7,079

15,497

Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability

$2,629

$5,925

$691

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$621,523	$499,890	$501,178
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	553,693	465,066	429,975
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	'
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	114,261	114,084	79,333
Total assets	178,244	179,419	133,157
Total liabilities	93,618	65,109	21,775
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	1,318,428	1,203,383	1,697,214
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	'
Total assets	1,875,968	1,637,940	2,144,568
Total liabilities	460,075	399,958	408,200
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	'
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	'	'	'
Total assets	'	'	'
Total liabilities	140,631	134,134	140,987
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	1,318,428	1,203,383	1,697,214
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	114,261	114,084	79,333
Total assets	2,054,212	1,817,359	2,277,725
Total liabilities	694,324	599,201	570,962
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	7,079	15,497
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	6,894	15,497
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	185	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	'	'
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	'	'
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	6,345	7,079	15,497
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,629	5,925	691
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	615,178	468,673	485,222
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	550,870	458,893	428,866
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	57,638	58,441	38,327
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	90,989	59,184	21,084
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	557,540	410,233	446,895
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	459,881	399,710	407,782
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	'	'
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	615,178	468,674	485,222
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	550,870	458,894	428,866
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	24,139	459
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	194	248	418
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	'	'	'
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	'	24,139	459
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	194	248	418
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	'	'
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	140,631	134,134	140,987
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Estimate of Fair Value, Fair Value Disclosure [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	'	$134,134	$140,987

Fair_Value_Measurements_Quanti

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)

6 Months Ended

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Feb. 28, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Feb. 28, 2014

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

Crack Spread Contingent Payment [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Average

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest

'

'

'

'

$140,631,000

$134,134,000

$140,987,000

'

Forward crack spread margin

$14.81

[1]

$22.65

[1]

$18.71

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

Contractual target crack spread margin (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

$17.50

[2]

'

'

'

'

Expected volatility

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

121.03%

[3]

Own credit risk

1.80%

[4]

2.60%

[4]

2.23%

[4]

'

'

'

'

'

Expected life (years)

'0 years 6 months

[5]

'3 years 6 months

[5]

'2 years 1 month 13 days

[5]

'

'

'

'

'

[1]

Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates

[2]

Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties

[3]

Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data

[4]

Represents yield curves for U.S. Treasury securities

[5]

Represents the range in the number of years remaining related to each contingent payment

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V1

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Reconciliation Liabilities Using Significant Unobservable Inputs (3 month) (Level 3) (Details) (National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member], Crack Spread Contingent Payment [Member], USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014	Nov. 30, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified							Cost of Goods, Total	Cost of Goods, Total	Cost of Goods, Total	Cost of Goods, Total
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Balance	$140,631	$150,991	$134,134	$140,987	$127,516	$170,621	'	'	'	'
Total gains or losses included in cost of goods sold and net interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10,360	-29,634	6,497	13,471
Balance	$140,631	$150,991	$134,134	$140,987	$127,516	$170,621	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Unconditional Purchase Obligations (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term	$512,576
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due in Next Twelve Months	62,113
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Two to Three Years	136,227
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Four to Five Years	90,821
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due after Five Years	223,415
Minimum [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term	$437,900

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	Feb. 28, 2014
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$1,000,000,000
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$81,400,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Feb. 28, 2014
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	'	$13.50
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	'	27
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	$25	'

Acquisitions_Details

Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2013
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	$97,858	$8,074	'
Goodwill	104,615	88,147	85,100
Energy [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	1,165	1,165	'
Energy [Member] | National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	140,631	'	'
Ag Business [Member]	'	'	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$96,552	$80,084	'