CHS (CHSCP) 10-Q9 Jul 142014 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	31-May-14	Jul. 09, 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	31-May-14	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
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 $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Current assets [Abstract]	'	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,549,498	$1,808,532	$733,960
Receivables	3,481,706	2,935,478	3,500,681
Inventories	2,837,873	2,664,735	2,937,642
Derivative assets	544,382	499,890	524,461
Margin deposits	382,016	340,905	371,368
Supplier advance payments	640,528	398,441	577,398
Other current assets	211,794	262,779	172,582
Total current assets	9,647,797	8,910,760	8,818,092
Investments	907,738	765,946	737,526
Property, plant and equipment	3,670,245	3,171,404	3,044,582
Other assets	719,167	656,160	514,406
Total assets	14,944,947	13,504,270	13,114,606
Current liabilities [Abstract]	'	'	'
Notes payable	1,129,819	889,312	872,138
Current portion of long-term debt	156,480	156,612	183,126
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,583	65,981	65,603
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	251,132	299,364	211,253
Customer advance payments	887,273	432,097	582,940
Checks and drafts outstanding	181,333	185,660	187,144
Accounts payable	2,217,916	2,416,038	2,345,068
Derivative liabilities	412,471	465,066	456,476
Accrued expenses	469,581	485,070	595,968
Dividends and equities payable	375,224	390,153	358,536
Total current liabilities	6,146,812	5,785,353	5,858,252
Long-term debt	1,310,892	1,450,420	1,300,931
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	147,801	209,419	208,099
Other liabilities	1,022,551	906,331	740,471
Commitments and contingencies	'	'	'
Equities:	'	'	'
Preferred stock	1,022,346	319,368	319,368
Equity certificates	3,483,868	3,588,346	3,017,689
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-159,235	-156,867	-226,735
Capital reserves	1,951,331	1,380,361	1,874,644
Total CHS Inc. equities	6,298,310	5,131,208	4,984,966
Noncontrolling interests	18,581	21,539	21,887
Total equities	6,316,891	5,152,747	5,006,853
Total liabilities and equities	$14,944,947	$13,504,270	$13,114,606

Consolidated_Statements_of_Ope

Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$11,967,398	$11,936,556	$32,673,793	$33,528,872
Cost of goods sold	11,460,774	11,479,645	31,324,819	32,055,796
Gross profit	506,624	456,911	1,348,974	1,473,076
Marketing, general and administrative	158,859	138,769	447,771	397,931
Operating earnings	347,765	318,142	901,203	1,075,145
Loss (gain) on investments	-108,792	-154	-111,401	-199
Interest, net	42,489	66,394	102,263	186,989
Equity (income) loss from investments	-25,522	-27,574	-89,249	-72,406
Income before income taxes	439,590	279,476	999,590	960,761
Income taxes	59,717	27,147	116,068	87,033
Net income	379,873	252,329	883,522	873,728
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	418	1,533	1,812	4,139
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	$379,455	$250,796	$881,710	$869,589

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$379,873	$252,329	$883,522	$873,728
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	4,385	706	11,480	767
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	32	290	1,520	838
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Net of Tax	131	5,520	-14,535	6,091
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	1,650	-2,918	-833	-1,844
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	6,198	3,598	-2,368	5,852
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	386,071	255,927	881,154	879,580
Comprehensive (Income) Loss, Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	418	1,533	1,812	4,139
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent	$385,653	$254,394	$879,342	$875,441

Consolidated_Statements_of_Com1

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Tax	$2,770	$436	$7,145	$473
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax expense (benefit)	20	178	937	516
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax expense (benefit)	81	3,404	-8,961	3,756
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax expense (benefit)	$1,017	($1,799)	($514)	($1,136)

Consolidated_Statement_of_Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13
Cash flows from operating activities:	'	'
Net income	$883,522,000	$873,728,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	193,161,000	176,839,000
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	37,411,000	22,298,000
Equity (income) loss from investments	-89,249,000	-72,406,000
Distributions from equity investments	62,019,000	50,886,000
Noncash patronage dividends received	-5,058,000	-4,552,000
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	1,473,000	-3,899,000
Gain on investments	-111,401,000	-199,000
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability	-3,975,000	18,729,000
Deferred taxes	99,574,000	157,000
Other, net	16,463,000	1,786,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Receivables	-242,348,000	-445,132,000
Inventories	-150,039,000	284,424,000
Derivative assets	-67,986,000	570,477,000
Margin deposits	-41,111,000	782,153,000
Supplier advance payments	-241,495,000	107,422,000
Other current assets and other assets	-10,223,000	5,439,000
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	-48,474,000	-597,660,000
Customer advance payments	448,920,000	-109,606,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-211,126,000	91,129,000
Derivative liabilities	-52,595,000	-285,063,000
Other liabilities	4,847,000	-20,685,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	472,310,000	1,446,265,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-656,288,000	-427,070,000
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	4,373,000	5,794,000
Expenditures for major repairs	0	-53,843,000
Investments in joint ventures and other	-67,457,000	-13,882,000
Investments redeemed	130,445,000	5,780,000
Proceeds from sale of investments	2,725,000	1,250,000
Changes in notes receivable	-321,376,000	27,676,000
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	-114,438,000	-12,358,000
Other investing activities, net	-3,558,000	-1,339,000
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	-1,025,574,000	-467,992,000
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Changes in notes payable	241,070,000	69,636,000
Long-term debt borrowings	1,426,000	100,000,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	-141,760,000	-56,384,000
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	-65,981,000	-65,981,000
Payments on crack spread contingent liability	-8,670,000	0
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	-4,328,000	-18,908,000
Preferred stock issued	702,979,000	0
Preferred stock issuance costs	-23,134,000	0
Preferred stock dividends paid	-29,860,000	-18,408,000
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	-575,000	-1,235,000
Retirements of equities	-87,666,000	-184,955,000
Cash Patronage Dividends Paid	-286,718,000	-380,975,000
Other financing activities, net	-1,635,000	1,110,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	295,148,000	-556,100,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	-918,000	-2,242,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-259,034,000	419,931,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,808,532,000	314,029,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,549,498,000	733,960,000
Energy [Member]	'	'
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	99,577,000	86,454,000
Equity (income) loss from investments	-2,937,000	-580,000
Cash flows from investing activities:	'	'
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	-367,228,000	-290,091,000
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] \| Energy [Member]	'	'
Cash flows from financing activities:	'	'
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	($66,000,000)	($66,000,000)

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	Accounting Policies

	Basis of Presentation and Revisions

	The unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2014 and 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended May 31, 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 are primarily related to 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 May 31, 2013 Consolidated Balance Sheet, which resulted in an increase in both derivative assets and derivative liabilities of $236.8 million. The Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the nine months ended May 31, 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 $112.6 million, $85.1 million and $84.2 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We acquired goodwill of $26.7 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, which related primarily to acquisitions in our Ag segment for which we paid $114.4 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 $115.3 million, $81.5 million and $82.1 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $49.3 million, $46.0 million and $42.2 million as of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired were $38.8 million and $2.4 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, primarily relate to acquisitions in our Ag segment. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, was $7.3 million and $7.4 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	$	9,168

	Year 2	8,828

	Year 3	7,700

	Year 4	6,050

	Year 5	3,647

	Thereafter	30,695

	Total	$	66,088


	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.

	There have been no turnaround expenditures during fiscal 2014. For the nine months ended May 31, 2013, major maintenance turnaround expenditures were $53.8 million and related to a turnaround during the third quarter of fiscal 2013 at our Laurel Montana refinery.

	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.

	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good or services. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts from customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments in this standard are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2018.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Receivables	'
	Receivables


		May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Trade accounts receivable	$	2,511,111	$	2,338,336	$	2,700,012

	CHS Capital notes receivable	717,784		437,141		567,518

	Other	353,357		254,590		350,471

		3,582,252		3,030,067		3,618,001

	Less allowances and reserves	100,546		94,589		117,320

	Total receivables	$	3,481,706	$	2,935,478	$	3,500,681


	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, Michigan 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 $147.7 million, $127.7 million and $93.3 million at May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013 the commercial notes represented 67%, 59% and 73%, respectively, and the producer notes represented 33%, 41% and 27%, 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 May 31, 2014, CHS Capital's customers have additional available credit of $953.9 million.

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Inventories	'
	Inventories


		May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed	$	1,227,913	$	1,133,555	$	1,344,265

	Energy	719,261		742,194		682,528

	Crop nutrients	207,946		293,370		237,487

	Feed and farm supplies	561,975		407,023		564,424

	Processed grain and oilseed	107,331		79,706		97,212

	Other	13,447		8,887		11,726

	Total inventories	$	2,837,873	$	2,664,735	$	2,937,642


	As of May 31, 2014, we valued approximately 16% 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 May 31, 2013, respectively). If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $569.8 million, $652.6 million and $535.8 million at May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 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	9 Months Ended
Investments	31-May-14
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 nine months ended May 31, 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 Balance Sheets. In addition to these payments, we paid $16.5 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 related to the associated crack spread contingent liability. The fair value of the remaining contingent liability was $130.2 million as of May 31, 2014.

	In our third quarter, we formed Ardent Mills LLC (Ardent Mills), a joint venture with Cargill Incorporated (Cargill) and ConAgra Foods, Inc., which combines the North American flour milling operations of the three parent companies, including the Horizon Milling, LLC and Horizon Milling G.P. (Horizon Milling) assets and CHS-owned mills, with CHS holding a 12% interest in Ardent Mills. Prior to closing, we contributed $32.8 million to Horizon Milling to pay off existing debt as a pre-condition to close. Upon closing, Ardent Mills was financed with funds from third-party borrowings, which did not require credit support from the owners. We received $123.5 million of cash proceeds distributed to us in proportion to our ownership interest, adjusted for deviations in specified working capital target amounts, and recognized a gain of $108.8 million associated with this transaction. In connection with the closing, the parties also entered into various ancillary and non-compete agreements including, among other things, an agreement for us to supply Ardent Mills with certain wheat and durum products. As we hold one of the five board seats, we account for Ardent Mills as an equity method investment.

	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 May 31, 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	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	'
	Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt


		May 31, 2014			August 31, 2013			May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Notes payable	$	703,438		$	521,864		$	432,892

	CHS Capital notes payable	426,381			367,448			439,246

	Total notes payable	$	1,129,819		$	889,312		$	872,138


	On May 31, 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 May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013.

	Interest, net for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


		For the Three Months Ended May 31,						For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest expense	$	23,397		$	25,649		$	57,823		$	73,304

	Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests	23,862			45,574			56,258			126,261

	Capitalized interest	(2,641		)	(2,567		)	(6,503		)	(8,163		)
	Interest income	(2,129		)	(2,262		)	(5,315		)	(4,413		)
	Interest, net	$	42,489		$	66,394		$	102,263		$	186,989


	In February 2014, 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 nine months ended May 31, 2014. See Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Equities

Equities	9 Months Ended
Equities	31-May-14
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 $273.3 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 $406.3 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.

	In June 2014, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Under the shelf registration, which has been declared effective by the SEC, we may offer and sell, from time to time, up to $2.0 billion of our Class B cumulative redeemable preferred stock over a three-year period.

	Changes in Equities

	Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:


		For the Nine Months Ended
		31-May-14				31-May-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208			$	4,455,341
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208			$	4,455,341
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	881,710				869,589
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	881,710				869,589
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,368		)		5,852
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,368		)		5,852
	Patronage distribution	(837,306		)		(975,998		)
	Patronage accrued	841,386				969,862
	Patronage accrued	841,386				969,862
	Equities retired	(87,666		)		(184,955		)
	Equity retirements accrued	87,666				184,955
	Equity retirements accrued	87,666				184,955
	Equities issued in business combinations	45				18,211
	Equities issued in business combinations	45				18,211
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	679,845				—
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	679,845				—
	Preferred stock dividends	(40,366		)		(18,408		)
	Estimated current year patronage	(347,000		)		(347,491		)
	Other, net	(8,844		)		8,008
	Other, net	(8,844		)		8,008
	CHS Inc. balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	6,298,310			$	4,984,966
	CHS Inc. balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	6,298,310			$	4,984,966

	Noncontrolling interests balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	21,539			$	17,982
		$	21,539			$	17,982
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,812				4,139
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,812				4,139
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(575		)		(1,235		)
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)		—
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)		—
	Other	584				1,001
	Other	584				1,001
	Noncontrolling interests balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	18,581			$	21,887
	Noncontrolling interests balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	18,581			$	21,887

	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows for the nine months ended May 31, 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	)
	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	772				1,520				(6,139		)		(1,520		)		(5,367		)
		772				1,520				(6,139		)		(1,520		)		(5,367		)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,708				—				(8,396		)		687				2,999
	10,708				—				(8,396		)		687				2,999
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,480				1,520				(14,535		)		(833		)		(2,368		)
Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,480				1,520				(14,535		)		(833		)		(2,368		)
Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	(154,131	)		$	3,890			$	(2,850	)		$	(6,144	)		$	(159,235	)
Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	(154,131	)		$	3,890			$	(2,850	)		$	(6,144	)		$	(159,235	)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments, 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 nine months ended May 31, 2014.

Benefit_Plans

Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
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 nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are 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:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	7,543		$	9,109		$	219	$	211	$	339		$	935

	Interest cost	7,495			6,072			423		340		418			443

	Expected return on assets	(11,910		)	(13,388		)	—		—		—			—

	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398			399			57		57		(30		)	(81		)

	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	4,566			6,500			250		270		(228		)	371

	Transition amount amortization	—			—			—		—		—			73

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,092		$	8,692		$	949	$	878	$	499		$	1,741

	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended are as follows:

	Service cost	$	22,812		$	23,541		$	646	$	540	$	1,297		$	2,202

	Interest cost	22,433			19,078			1,245		987		1,439			1,675

	Expected return on assets	(35,726		)	(37,311		)	—		—		—			—

	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	1,195			1,198			171		171		(90		)	(90		)

	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	13,655			16,961			718		692		(415		)	817

	Transition amount amortization	—			—			—		—		—			422

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	24,369		$	23,467		$	2,780	$	2,390	$	2,231		$	5,026


	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 nine months ended May 31, 2014, CHS and NCRA made no contributions to the pension plans. At this time, we do not anticipate having to make a required contribution for our benefit plans in fiscal 2014, but we may make a voluntary contribution during our fourth quarter.

Segment_Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
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, 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 12% ownership in Ardent Mills.

	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 nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


		Energy				Ag				Corporate				Reconciling				Total
										and Other				Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,480,673			$	8,603,834			$	18,195			$	(135,304	)		$	11,967,398

	Cost of goods sold	3,211,396				8,384,725				(43		)		(135,304		)		11,460,774

	Gross profit	269,277				219,109				18,238				—				506,624

	Marketing, general and administrative	40,197				99,942				18,720				—				158,859

	Operating earnings (losses)	229,080				119,167				(482		)		—				347,765

	(Gain) loss on investments	—				—				(108,792		)		—				(108,792		)

	Interest, net	24,044				15,357				3,088				—				42,489

	Equity (income) loss from investments	(780		)		(5,216		)		(19,526		)		—				(25,522		)

	Income before income taxes	$	205,816			$	109,026			$	124,748			$	—			$	439,590

	Intersegment revenues	$	(135,304	)		$	—			$	—			$	135,304			$	—




		Energy				Ag				Corporate				Reconciling				Total
										and Other				Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2013:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,205,340			$	8,831,866			$	15,411			$	(116,061	)		$	11,936,556

	Cost of goods sold	2,896,061				8,700,170				(525		)		(116,061		)		11,479,645

	Gross profit	309,279				131,696				15,936				—				456,911

	Marketing, general and administrative	43,710				77,653				17,406				—				138,769

	Operating earnings (losses)	265,569				54,043				(1,470		)		—				318,142

	(Gain) loss on investments	—				—				(154		)		—				(154		)

	Interest, net	46,058				17,434				2,902				—				66,394

	Equity (income) loss from investments	(851		)		(3,365		)		(23,358		)		—				(27,574		)

Income before income taxes	$	220,362			$	39,974			$	19,140			$	—			$	279,476

Intersegment revenues	$	(116,061	)		$	—			$	—			$	116,061			$	—

For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014:

Revenues	$	10,628,885			$	22,411,894			$	52,403			$	(419,389	)		$	32,673,793

Cost of goods sold	9,895,167				21,849,095				(54		)		(419,389		)		31,324,819

Gross profit	733,718				562,799				52,457				—				1,348,974

Marketing, general and administrative	114,181				282,823				50,767				—				447,771

Operating earnings (losses)	619,537				279,976				1,690				—				901,203

(Gain) loss on investments	—				116				(111,517		)		—				(111,401		)

Interest, net	55,212				39,498				7,553				—				102,263

Equity (income) loss from investments	(2,937		)		(19,906		)		(66,406		)		—				(89,249		)

Income before income taxes	$	567,262			$	260,268			$	172,060			$	—			$	999,590

Intersegment revenues	$	(419,389	)		$	—			$	—			$	419,389			$	—

Goodwill	$	1,165			$	104,507			$	6,898			$	—			$	112,570

Capital expenditures	$	367,228			$	250,423			$	38,637			$	—			$	656,288

Depreciation and amortization	$	99,577			$	85,284			$	8,300			$	—			$	193,161

Total assets at May 31, 2014	$	4,304,663			$	7,269,201			$	3,371,083			$	—			$	14,944,947

For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013:

Revenues	$	9,345,304			$	24,483,835			$	52,357			$	(352,624	)		$	33,528,872

Cost of goods sold	8,392,704				24,017,733				(2,017		)		(352,624		)		32,055,796

Gross profit	952,600				466,102				54,374				—				1,473,076

Marketing, general and administrative	121,364				223,041				53,526				—				397,931

Operating earnings (losses)	831,236				243,061				848				—				1,075,145

(Gain) loss on investments	—				(45		)		(154		)		—				(199		)

Interest, net	124,229				53,472				9,288				—				186,989

Equity (income) loss from investments	(580		)		(13,104		)		(58,722		)		—				(72,406		)

Income before income taxes	$	707,587			$	202,738			$	50,436			$	—			$	960,761

Intersegment revenues	$	(352,624	)		$	—			$	—			$	352,624			$	—

Goodwill	$	1,165			$	76,103			$	6,898			$	—			$	84,166

Capital expenditures	$	290,091			$	131,794			$	5,185			$	—			$	427,070

Depreciation and amortization	$	86,454			$	77,587			$	12,798			$	—			$	176,839

Total assets at May 31, 2013	$	4,126,022			$	7,127,300			$	1,861,284			$	—			$	13,114,606

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
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 or fair value hedges. Derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value 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 May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:


		31-May-14					31-Aug-13					31-May-13
		Purchase			Sales		Purchase			Sales		Purchase		Sales
		Contracts			Contracts		Contracts			Contracts		Contracts		Contracts
		(Units in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed - bushels	717,181			969,100		521,979			806,295		519,293		806,244

	Energy products - barrels	20,517			35,676		12,626			21,312		13,833		20,125

	Soy products - tons	33			962		24			847		70		325

	Crop nutrients - tons	1,077			1,194		968			1,050		675		778

	Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,148			290		1,225			151		888		130

	Rail freight - rail cars	339			159		220			43		242		39

	Livestock - pounds	—			47,800		—			17,280		7,760		—


	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 FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting; or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - Overall.



		May 31, 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	$	544,198			$	—			$	52,103			$	492,095

	Foreign exchange derivatives	182				—				77				105

	Interest rate derivatives - hedge	2				—				—				2

	Total Derivative Assets	$	544,382			$	—			$	52,180			$	492,202

	Derivative Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	410,148			$	—			$	52,103			$	358,045

	Foreign exchange derivatives	2,153				—				77				2,076

	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	170				—				—				170

	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	412,471			$	—			$	52,180			$	360,291




		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




	May 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	$	510,258			$	—			$	32,678			$	477,580

Foreign exchange derivatives	5,043				—				—				5,043

Interest rate derivatives - hedge	9,160				—				—				9,160

Total Derivative Assets	$	524,461			$	—			$	32,678			$	491,783

Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	452,289			$	56,423			$	32,678			$	363,188

Foreign exchange derivatives	3,883				—				—				3,883

Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	304				—				—				304

Total Derivative Liabilities	$	456,476			$	56,423			$	32,678			$	367,375


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 nine months ended May 31, 2014. As of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:


	May 31, 2014				August 31, 2013				May 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $0, $9.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively	$	—			$	14,930			$	5,666


In April 2014, we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $130.0 million designated as a fair value hedge of a portion of our fixed-rate debt. Our objective is to offset changes in the fair value of the debt associated with the risk of variability in the 3-month U.S. Dollar LIBOR interest rate, in essence converting the fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. Offsetting changes in the fair values of both the swap instrument and the hedged debt are recorded contemporaneously each period and only create an impact to earnings to the extent that the hedge is ineffective.

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 nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013.


			For the Three Months Ended May 31,								For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
	Location of		2014				2013				2014				2013
	Gain (Loss)
			(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold		$	157,461			$	(22,457	)		$	218,883			$	(452,747	)

Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold		(5,685		)		(13,648		)		(7,688		)		2,570

Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net		24				114				74				240

Total			$	151,800			$	(35,991	)		$	211,269			$	(449,937	)

Fair_Value_Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements	'
	Fair Value Measurements

	The following tables present assets and liabilities, included in on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair values. 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 May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013 are as follows:


		31-May-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	$	—			$	1,159,581		$	—		$	1,159,581

	Commodity and freight derivatives	86,639				457,559			—			544,198

	Foreign currency derivatives	182				—			—			182

	Interest rate swap derivatives	—				2			—			2

	Other assets	89,848				—			—			89,848

	Total Assets	$	176,669			$	1,617,142		$	—		$	1,793,811

	Liabilities:

	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	79,284			$	330,864		$	—		$	410,148

	Interest rate swap derivatives	—				170			—			170

	Foreign currency derivatives	2,153				—			—			2,153

	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	—				—			130,159			130,159

	Total Liabilities	$	81,437			$	331,034		$	130,159		$	542,630




		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




	31-May-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	$	—			$	1,433,639		$	—		$	1,433,639

Commodity and freight derivatives	53,375				456,883			—			510,258

Interest rate swap derivatives	—				9,160			—			9,160

Foreign currency derivatives	5,043				—			—			5,043

Other assets	131,901				—			—			131,901

Total Assets	$	190,319			$	1,899,682		$	—		$	2,090,001

Liabilities:

Commodity and freight derivatives	$	95,997			$	356,292		$	—		$	452,289

Interest rate swap derivatives	—				304			—			304

Foreign currency derivatives	3,883				—			—			3,883

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	—				—			146,245			146,245

Total Liabilities	$	99,880			$	356,596		$	146,245		$	602,721


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 cash flow hedges 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	May 31, 2014	Technique	Unobservable Input	(Weighted Average)
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	$130,159	Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model	Forward crack spread margin on May 31, 2014 (a)	$14.34-$17.72 ($16.55)
			Contractual target crack spread margin (b)	$17.50
			Expected volatility (c)	128.59%
			Risk-free interest rate (d)	1.80%-2.60% (2.23%)
			Expected life - years (e)	0.25-3.25 (1.89)
(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 May 31, 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, February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	140,631			$	140,987

Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold		(10,472		)		5,258

Balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	130,159			$	146,245


The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the nine months ended May 31, 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		(3,975		)		18,729

Balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	130,159			$	146,245


There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 assets and liabilities.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

31-May-14

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 May 31, 2014 are as follows:

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than

3-Jan

5-Mar

More than

1 Year

Years

5 Years

(Dollars in thousands)

Long-term unconditional purchase obligations

503,960

62,769

130,048

91,324

219,819

The discounted, aggregate amount of the minimum required payments under long-term unconditional purchase obligations, based on current exchange rates at May 31, 2014 is $428.4 million.

Guarantees

We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related companies. As of May 31, 2014, our bank covenants allowed maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion, of which $79.6 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 May 31, 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 $13.4 million and $21.1 million and have recorded a total loss of $18.0 million, which is the amount within the range that we believe is the best estimate given the claims experience so far. As of May 31, 2014, $9.6 million of claims had been settled. 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 May 31, 2014, no insurance recoveries have been recorded related to this incident.

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]	'
	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.
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 are primarily related to National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	'
	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

	Goodwill was $112.6 million, $85.1 million and $84.2 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We acquired goodwill of $26.7 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, which related primarily to acquisitions in our Ag segment for which we paid $114.4 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 $115.3 million, $81.5 million and $82.1 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $49.3 million, $46.0 million and $42.2 million as of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired were $38.8 million and $2.4 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, primarily relate to acquisitions in our Ag segment. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, was $7.3 million and $7.4 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	$	9,168

	Year 2	8,828

	Year 3	7,700

	Year 4	6,050

	Year 5	3,647

	Thereafter	30,695

	Total	$	66,088


	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.

	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good or services. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts from customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments in this standard are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2018.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Accounting Policies [Abstract]	'
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	$	9,168

	Year 2	8,828

	Year 3	7,700

	Year 4	6,050

	Year 5	3,647

	Thereafter	30,695

	Total	$	66,088

Receivables_Tables

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Receivables [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	'


		May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Trade accounts receivable	$	2,511,111	$	2,338,336	$	2,700,012

	CHS Capital notes receivable	717,784		437,141		567,518

	Other	353,357		254,590		350,471

		3,582,252		3,030,067		3,618,001

	Less allowances and reserves	100,546		94,589		117,320

	Total receivables	$	3,481,706	$	2,935,478	$	3,500,681

Inventories_Tables

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Inventory, Current	'


		May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed	$	1,227,913	$	1,133,555	$	1,344,265

	Energy	719,261		742,194		682,528

	Crop nutrients	207,946		293,370		237,487

	Feed and farm supplies	561,975		407,023		564,424

	Processed grain and oilseed	107,331		79,706		97,212

	Other	13,447		8,887		11,726

	Total inventories	$	2,837,873	$	2,664,735	$	2,937,642

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb1

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	'


		May 31, 2014			August 31, 2013			May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Notes payable	$	703,438		$	521,864		$	432,892

	CHS Capital notes payable	426,381			367,448			439,246

	Total notes payable	$	1,129,819		$	889,312		$	872,138


Schedule of Interest,Net	'
	Interest, net for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


		For the Three Months Ended May 31,						For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Interest expense	$	23,397		$	25,649		$	57,823		$	73,304

	Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests	23,862			45,574			56,258			126,261

	Capitalized interest	(2,641		)	(2,567		)	(6,503		)	(8,163		)
	Interest income	(2,129		)	(2,262		)	(5,315		)	(4,413		)
	Interest, net	$	42,489		$	66,394		$	102,263		$	186,989


	In February 2014, 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 nine months ended May 31, 2014. See Note 9, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Equities_Tables

Equities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Equities (Tables)	31-May-14
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, were as follows for the nine months ended May 31, 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	)
	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	772			1,520			(6,139		)	(1,520		)	(5,367		)
		772			1,520			(6,139		)	(1,520		)	(5,367		)
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	10,708			—			(8,396		)	687			2,999
		10,708			—			(8,396		)	687			2,999
	Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,480			1,520			(14,535		)	(833		)	(2,368		)
	Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	11,480			1,520			(14,535		)	(833		)	(2,368		)
	Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	(154,131	)	$	3,890		$	(2,850	)	$	(6,144	)	$	(159,235	)
	Balance as of May 31, 2014	$	(154,131	)	$	3,890		$	(2,850	)	$	(6,144	)	$	(159,235	)

	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges and foreign currency translation adjustments, 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 nine months ended May 31, 2014.
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	'
	Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:


		For the Nine Months Ended
		31-May-14			31-May-13
		(Dollars in thousands)
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208		$	4,455,341
	CHS Inc. balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	5,131,208		$	4,455,341
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	881,710			869,589
	Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	881,710			869,589
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,368		)	5,852
	Other comprehensive (loss) income	(2,368		)	5,852
	Patronage distribution	(837,306		)	(975,998		)
	Patronage accrued	841,386			969,862
	Patronage accrued	841,386			969,862
	Equities retired	(87,666		)	(184,955		)
	Equity retirements accrued	87,666			184,955
	Equity retirements accrued	87,666			184,955
	Equities issued in business combinations	45			18,211
	Equities issued in business combinations	45			18,211
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	679,845			—
	Preferred stock issuance, net of expenses	679,845			—
	Preferred stock dividends	(40,366		)	(18,408		)
	Estimated current year patronage	(347,000		)	(347,491		)
	Other, net	(8,844		)	8,008
	Other, net	(8,844		)	8,008
	CHS Inc. balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	6,298,310		$	4,984,966
	CHS Inc. balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	6,298,310		$	4,984,966

	Noncontrolling interests balances, September 1, 2013 and 2012	$	21,539		$	17,982
		$	21,539		$	17,982
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,812			4,139
	Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	1,812			4,139
	Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(575		)	(1,235		)
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)	—
	Deconsolidation of a subsidiary	(4,779		)	—
	Other	584			1,001
	Other	584			1,001
	Noncontrolling interests balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	18,581		$	21,887
	Noncontrolling interests balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013	$	18,581		$	21,887

Benefit_Plans_Schedule_of_Net_

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
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:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Service cost	$	7,543		$	9,109		$	219	$	211	$	339		$	935

	Interest cost	7,495			6,072			423		340		418			443

	Expected return on assets	(11,910		)	(13,388		)	—		—		—			—

	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398			399			57		57		(30		)	(81		)

	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	4,566			6,500			250		270		(228		)	371

	Transition amount amortization	—			—			—		—		—			73

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	8,092		$	8,692		$	949	$	878	$	499		$	1,741

	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended are as follows:

	Service cost	$	22,812		$	23,541		$	646	$	540	$	1,297		$	2,202

	Interest cost	22,433			19,078			1,245		987		1,439			1,675

	Expected return on assets	(35,726		)	(37,311		)	—		—		—			—

	Prior service cost (credit) amortization	1,195			1,198			171		171		(90		)	(90		)

	Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	13,655			16,961			718		692		(415		)	817

	Transition amount amortization	—			—			—		—		—			422

	Net periodic benefit cost	$	24,369		$	23,467		$	2,780	$	2,390	$	2,231		$	5,026

Segment_Reporting_Tables

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	'
	Segment information for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows:


		Energy				Ag				Corporate				Reconciling				Total
										and Other				Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2014:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,480,673			$	8,603,834			$	18,195			$	(135,304	)		$	11,967,398

	Cost of goods sold	3,211,396				8,384,725				(43		)		(135,304		)		11,460,774

	Gross profit	269,277				219,109				18,238				—				506,624

	Marketing, general and administrative	40,197				99,942				18,720				—				158,859

	Operating earnings (losses)	229,080				119,167				(482		)		—				347,765

	(Gain) loss on investments	—				—				(108,792		)		—				(108,792		)

	Interest, net	24,044				15,357				3,088				—				42,489

	Equity (income) loss from investments	(780		)		(5,216		)		(19,526		)		—				(25,522		)

	Income before income taxes	$	205,816			$	109,026			$	124,748			$	—			$	439,590

	Intersegment revenues	$	(135,304	)		$	—			$	—			$	135,304			$	—




		Energy				Ag				Corporate				Reconciling				Total
										and Other				Amounts
	For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2013:	(Dollars in thousands)
	Revenues	$	3,205,340			$	8,831,866			$	15,411			$	(116,061	)		$	11,936,556

	Cost of goods sold	2,896,061				8,700,170				(525		)		(116,061		)		11,479,645

	Gross profit	309,279				131,696				15,936				—				456,911

	Marketing, general and administrative	43,710				77,653				17,406				—				138,769

	Operating earnings (losses)	265,569				54,043				(1,470		)		—				318,142

	(Gain) loss on investments	—				—				(154		)		—				(154		)

	Interest, net	46,058				17,434				2,902				—				66,394

	Equity (income) loss from investments	(851		)		(3,365		)		(23,358		)		—				(27,574		)

	Income before income taxes	$	220,362			$	39,974			$	19,140			$	—			$	279,476

	Intersegment revenues	$	(116,061	)		$	—			$	—			$	116,061			$	—

	For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014:

	Revenues	$	10,628,885			$	22,411,894			$	52,403			$	(419,389	)		$	32,673,793

	Cost of goods sold	9,895,167				21,849,095				(54		)		(419,389		)		31,324,819

	Gross profit	733,718				562,799				52,457				—				1,348,974

	Marketing, general and administrative	114,181				282,823				50,767				—				447,771

	Operating earnings (losses)	619,537				279,976				1,690				—				901,203

(Gain) loss on investments	—				116				(111,517		)		—				(111,401		)

Interest, net	55,212				39,498				7,553				—				102,263

Equity (income) loss from investments	(2,937		)		(19,906		)		(66,406		)		—				(89,249		)

Income before income taxes	$	567,262			$	260,268			$	172,060			$	—			$	999,590

Intersegment revenues	$	(419,389	)		$	—			$	—			$	419,389			$	—

Goodwill	$	1,165			$	104,507			$	6,898			$	—			$	112,570

Capital expenditures	$	367,228			$	250,423			$	38,637			$	—			$	656,288

Depreciation and amortization	$	99,577			$	85,284			$	8,300			$	—			$	193,161

Total assets at May 31, 2014	$	4,304,663			$	7,269,201			$	3,371,083			$	—			$	14,944,947

For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2013:

Revenues	$	9,345,304			$	24,483,835			$	52,357			$	(352,624	)		$	33,528,872

Cost of goods sold	8,392,704				24,017,733				(2,017		)		(352,624		)		32,055,796

Gross profit	952,600				466,102				54,374				—				1,473,076

Marketing, general and administrative	121,364				223,041				53,526				—				397,931

Operating earnings (losses)	831,236				243,061				848				—				1,075,145

(Gain) loss on investments	—				(45		)		(154		)		—				(199		)

Interest, net	124,229				53,472				9,288				—				186,989

Equity (income) loss from investments	(580		)		(13,104		)		(58,722		)		—				(72,406		)

Income before income taxes	$	707,587			$	202,738			$	50,436			$	—			$	960,761

Intersegment revenues	$	(352,624	)		$	—			$	—			$	352,624			$	—

Goodwill	$	1,165			$	76,103			$	6,898			$	—			$	84,166

Capital expenditures	$	290,091			$	131,794			$	5,185			$	—			$	427,070

Depreciation and amortization	$	86,454			$	77,587			$	12,798			$	—			$	176,839

Total assets at May 31, 2013	$	4,126,022			$	7,127,300			$	1,861,284			$	—			$	13,114,606

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen1

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Financial Insturments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts	'
	As of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:


		31-May-14					31-Aug-13					31-May-13
		Purchase			Sales		Purchase			Sales		Purchase		Sales
		Contracts			Contracts		Contracts			Contracts		Contracts		Contracts
		(Units in thousands)
	Grain and oilseed - bushels	717,181			969,100		521,979			806,295		519,293		806,244

	Energy products - barrels	20,517			35,676		12,626			21,312		13,833		20,125

	Soy products - tons	33			962		24			847		70		325

	Crop nutrients - tons	1,077			1,194		968			1,050		675		778

	Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,148			290		1,225			151		888		130

	Rail freight - rail cars	339			159		220			43		242		39

	Livestock - pounds	—			47,800		—			17,280		7,760		—

Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements [Table Text Block]	'


		May 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	$	510,258			$	—			$	32,678			$	477,580

	Foreign exchange derivatives	5,043				—				—				5,043

	Interest rate derivatives - hedge	9,160				—				—				9,160

	Total Derivative Assets	$	524,461			$	—			$	32,678			$	491,783

	Derivative Liabilities:
	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	452,289			$	56,423			$	32,678			$	363,188

	Foreign exchange derivatives	3,883				—				—				3,883

	Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	304				—				—				304

	Total Derivative Liabilities	$	456,476			$	56,423			$	32,678			$	367,375



		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



		May 31, 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	$	544,198			$	—			$	52,103			$	492,095

	Foreign exchange derivatives	182				—				77				105

	Interest rate derivatives - hedge	2				—				—				2

Total Derivative Assets	$	544,382			$	—			$	52,180			$	492,202

Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	410,148			$	—			$	52,103			$	358,045

Foreign exchange derivatives	2,153				—				77				2,076

Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	170				—				—				170

Total Derivative Liabilities	$	412,471			$	—			$	52,180			$	360,291

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 nine months ended May 31, 2014. As of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:


		May 31, 2014				August 31, 2013				May 31, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
	Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $0, $9.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively	$	—			$	14,930			$	5,666

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 nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013.


				For the Three Months Ended May 31,								For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
		Location of		2014				2013				2014				2013
		Gain (Loss)
				(Dollars in thousands)
	Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold		$	157,461			$	(22,457	)		$	218,883			$	(452,747	)

	Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold		(5,685		)		(13,648		)		(7,688		)		2,570

	Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net		24				114				74				240

	Total			$	151,800			$	(35,991	)		$	211,269			$	(449,937	)

Fair_Value_Measurements_Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	'


		31-May-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	$	—			$	1,159,581			$	—		$	1,159,581

	Commodity and freight derivatives	86,639				457,559				—			544,198

	Foreign currency derivatives	182				—				—			182

	Interest rate swap derivatives	—				2				—			2

	Other assets	89,848				—				—			89,848

	Total Assets	$	176,669			$	1,617,142			$	—		$	1,793,811

	Liabilities:

	Commodity and freight derivatives	$	79,284			$	330,864			$	—		$	410,148

	Interest rate swap derivatives	—				170				—			170

	Foreign currency derivatives	2,153				—				—			2,153

	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	—				—				130,159			130,159

	Total Liabilities	$	81,437			$	331,034			$	130,159		$	542,630




		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




	31-May-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	$	—			$	1,433,639			$	—		$	1,433,639

Commodity and freight derivatives	53,375				456,883				—			510,258

Interest rate swap derivatives	—				9,160				—			9,160

Foreign currency derivatives	5,043				—				—			5,043

Other assets	131,901				—				—			131,901

Total Assets	$	190,319			$	1,899,682			$	—		$	2,090,001

Liabilities:

Commodity and freight derivatives	$	95,997			$	356,292			$	—		$	452,289

Interest rate swap derivatives	—				304				—			304

Foreign currency derivatives	3,883				—				—			3,883

Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	—				—				146,245			146,245

Total Liabilities	$	99,880			$	356,596			$	146,245		$	602,721

Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information	'


	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
		Fair Value	Valuation		Range
	Item	May 31, 2014	Technique	Unobservable Input	(Weighted Average)
	Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests	$130,159	Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model	Forward crack spread margin on May 31, 2014 (a)	$14.34-$17.72 ($16.55)
				Contractual target crack spread margin (b)	$17.50
				Expected volatility (c)	128.59%
				Risk-free interest rate (d)	1.80%-2.60% (2.23%)
				Expected life - years (e)	0.25-3.25 (1.89)
	(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 nine months ended May 31, 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		(3,975		)		18,729

	Balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	130,159			$	146,245

	The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended May 31, 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, February 28, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	140,631			$	140,987

	Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold		(10,472		)		5,258

	Balances, May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively		$	130,159			$	146,245

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

31-May-14

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 May 31, 2014 are as follows:

Payments Due by Period

Total

Less than

3-Jan

5-Mar

More than

1 Year

Years

5 Years

(Dollars in thousands)

Long-term unconditional purchase obligations

503,960

62,769

130,048

91,324

219,819

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Derivatives (Details) (Immaterial Balance Sheet Revision [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-13
Immaterial Balance Sheet Revision [Member]	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'
Quantifying Misstatement in Current Year Financial Statements, Amount	$236.80

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
	Refineries	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Goodwill	$112,570,000	$84,166,000	$85,100,000
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	26,700,000	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired	114,438,000	12,358,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	115,300,000	82,100,000	81,500,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	49,300,000	42,200,000	46,000,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	38,800,000	2,400,000	'
Amortization of Intangible Assets	7,300,000	7,400,000	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Rolling Twelve Months	9,168,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	8,828,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	7,700,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	6,050,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	3,647,000	'	'
Thereafter	30,695,000	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Total Future Amortization Expense	66,088,000	'	'
Number of Refineries	2	'	'
Expenditures for Major Repairs	0	53,800,000	'
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	104,507,000	76,103,000	'
Ag Business [Member] \| Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]	'	'	'
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$114,400,000	'	'

Receivables_Schedule_of_Receiv

Receivables - Schedule of Receivables (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Receivables [Abstract]	'	'	'
Trade accounts receivable	$2,511,111	$2,338,336	$2,700,012
CHS Capital notes receivable	717,784	437,141	567,518
Other	353,357	254,590	350,471
Receivables, gross	3,582,252	3,030,067	3,618,001
Less allowances and reserves	100,546	94,589	117,320
Receivables, net	$3,481,706	$2,935,478	$3,500,681

Receivables_Narrative_Details

Receivables - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Notes Receivable, Long-Term	'	'	'
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	$147.70	$127.70	$93.30
Percentage of commercial notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	67.00%	59.00%	73.00%
Percentage of producer notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	33.00%	41.00%	27.00%
Interest Income Accrual Term, Discontinued	'90 days	'	'
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$953.90	'	'
Minimum [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes and Loans Receivable, Current, Term	'12 months	'	'
Maximum [Member]	'	'	'
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]	'	'	'
Notes and Loans Receivable, Current, Term	'14 months	'	'
Notes and Loans Receivable, Non Current, Net, Term	'10 years	'	'

Inventories_Schedule_of_Invent

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Grain and Oilseed	$1,227,913	$1,133,555	$1,344,265
Energy	719,261	742,194	682,528
Crop nutrients	207,946	293,370	237,487
Feed and farm supplies	561,975	407,023	564,424
Processed grain and oilseed	107,331	79,706	97,212
Other	13,447	8,887	11,726
Inventories	$2,837,873	$2,664,735	$2,937,642

Inventories_Narrative_Details

Inventories - Narrative (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'
Percentage of LIFO inventory	16.00%	16.00%	14.00%
LIFO inventory, difference amount had FIFO inventory valuation method been used	$569.80	$652.60	$535.80

Investments_Narrative_Details

Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

Aug. 31, 2013

31-May-13

Ardent Mills [Member]

Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]

Ventura Foods, LLC

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

Energy [Member]

Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]

National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]

Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage

84.00%

79.20%

Payments to Acquire Business, Contingent Consideration Paid

($16,500,000)

Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

-65,981,000

-66,000,000

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

130,159,000

134,134,000

146,245,000

Ownership percentage

50.00%

Equity Method Investment, Additional Cash Contribution

32,800,000

Investments redeemed

123,500,000

Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments

108,800,000

Equity value exceeding carrying value

$12,900,000

Notes_Payable_and_LongTerm_Deb2

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Footnote Narrative (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-14
				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]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$13,500,000
Notes payable	1,129,819,000	889,312,000	872,138,000	426,381,000	367,448,000	439,246,000	703,438,000	521,864,000	432,892,000	'	'
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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Interest expense	$23,397	$25,649	$57,823	$73,304
Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interest	23,862	45,574	56,258	126,261
Interest Costs Capitalized	-2,641	-2,567	-6,503	-8,163
Interest income	-2,129	-2,262	-5,315	-4,413
Interest Income (Expense), Net	$42,489	$66,394	$102,263	$186,989

Equities_Changes_in_Equity_Det

Equities Changes in Equity (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

1 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

31-May-14

31-May-13

Sep. 30, 2013

31-May-14

Mar. 31, 2014

31-May-14

Jun. 30, 2014

31-May-14

Patronage Refunds [Member]

Capital equity certificates [Member]

Capital Reserves [Member]

Noncontrolling Interest [Member]

Class B Series 1 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Subsequent Event [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Maximum [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Class B Series 2 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock [Member]

Preferred Stock [Member]

Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]

Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues

11,319,175

16,800,000

Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Deconsolidation

($4,779,000)

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.

379,455,000

250,796,000

881,710,000

869,589,000

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

-2,368,000

5,852,000

Patronage distribution

-837,306,000

-975,998,000

Equities retired

-87,666,000

-184,955,000

Dividends and equity retirement determination

841,386,000

969,862,000

87,666,000

184,955,000

-40,366,000

-18,408,000

Equities issued in business combinations

45,000

18,211,000

Preferred stock dividends

-29,860,000

-18,408,000

Accrued dividends and equities payable

-347,000,000

-347,491,000

Other, net

-8,844,000

8,008,000

584,000

1,001,000

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent

6,298,310,000

4,984,966,000

6,298,310,000

4,984,966,000

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

21,539,000

17,982,000

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

418,000

1,533,000

1,812,000

4,139,000

Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

18,581,000

21,887,000

18,581,000

21,887,000

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

-575,000

-1,235,000

Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount

283,000,000

420,000,000

Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs

679,845,000

273,300,000

406,300,000

Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage

7.88%

7.10%

8.00%

Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage

4.30%

Value of Preferred Stock available to be sold under Shelf Registration

$2,000,000,000

Equities_Accumulated_Other_Com

Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	($159,235)	($226,735)	($159,235)	($226,735)	($156,867)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	6,198	3,598	-2,368	5,852	'
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-154,131	'	-154,131	'	-165,611
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	772	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	10,708	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	11,480	'	'
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-6,144	'	-6,144	'	-5,311
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-1,520	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	687	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-833	'	'
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-2,850	'	-2,850	'	11,685
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-6,139	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	-8,396	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	-14,535	'	'
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	3,890	'	3,890	'	2,370
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	1,520	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	0	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	1,520	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax	'	'	-5,367	'	'
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax	'	'	2,999	'	'
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	'	'	($2,368)	'	'

Equities_Reclassification_Adju

Equities Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) (Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member], Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] \| Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	'
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Line Items]	'
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	$13.50

Benefit_Plans_Net_Periodic_Ben

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Qualified Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	$7,543	$9,109	$22,812	$23,541
Interest costs	7,495	6,072	22,433	19,078
Expected return on assets	-11,910	-13,388	-35,726	-37,311
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	398	399	1,195	1,198
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	4,566	6,500	13,655	16,961
Transition amount amortization	0	0	0	0
Periodic benefit costs, net	8,092	8,692	24,369	23,467
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer	'	'	0	'
Non-Qualified Pension Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	219	211	646	540
Interest costs	423	340	1,245	987
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	57	57	171	171
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	250	270	718	692
Transition amount amortization	0	0	0	0
Periodic benefit costs, net	949	878	2,780	2,390
Other Benefits	'	'	'	'
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Service costs	339	935	1,297	2,202
Interest costs	418	443	1,439	1,675
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	-30	-81	-90	-90
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	-228	371	-415	817
Transition amount amortization	0	73	0	422
Periodic benefit costs, net	$499	$1,741	$2,231	$5,026

Segment_Reporting_Narrative_De

Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	31-May-14
Ventura Foods, LLC	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	50.00%
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 \| Ardent Mills [Member]	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'
Ownership in equity method investment	12.00%

Segment_Reporting_Segment_Info

Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13	Aug. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	$11,967,398,000	$11,936,556,000	$32,673,793,000	$33,528,872,000	'
Cost of goods sold	11,460,774,000	11,479,645,000	31,324,819,000	32,055,796,000	'
Gross profit	506,624,000	456,911,000	1,348,974,000	1,473,076,000	'
Marketing, general and administrative	158,859,000	138,769,000	447,771,000	397,931,000	'
Operating earnings	347,765,000	318,142,000	901,203,000	1,075,145,000	'
Loss (gain) on investments	-108,792,000	-154,000	-111,401,000	-199,000	'
Interest, net	42,489,000	66,394,000	102,263,000	186,989,000	'
Equity (income) loss from investments	-25,522,000	-27,574,000	-89,249,000	-72,406,000	'
Income before income taxes	439,590,000	279,476,000	999,590,000	960,761,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0	'
Goodwill	112,570,000	84,166,000	112,570,000	84,166,000	85,100,000
Capital expenditures	'	'	656,288,000	427,070,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	193,161,000	176,839,000	'
Total identifiable assets	14,944,947,000	13,114,606,000	14,944,947,000	13,114,606,000	13,504,270,000
Energy [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	3,480,673,000	3,205,340,000	10,628,885,000	9,345,304,000	'
Cost of goods sold	3,211,396,000	2,896,061,000	9,895,167,000	8,392,704,000	'
Gross profit	269,277,000	309,279,000	733,718,000	952,600,000	'
Marketing, general and administrative	40,197,000	43,710,000	114,181,000	121,364,000	'
Operating earnings	229,080,000	265,569,000	619,537,000	831,236,000	'
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Interest, net	24,044,000	46,058,000	55,212,000	124,229,000	'
Equity (income) loss from investments	-780,000	-851,000	-2,937,000	-580,000	'
Income before income taxes	205,816,000	220,362,000	567,262,000	707,587,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	-135,304,000	-116,061,000	-419,389,000	-352,624,000	'
Goodwill	1,165,000	1,165,000	1,165,000	1,165,000	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	367,228,000	290,091,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	99,577,000	86,454,000	'
Total identifiable assets	4,304,663,000	4,126,022,000	4,304,663,000	4,126,022,000	'
Ag Business	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	8,603,834,000	8,831,866,000	22,411,894,000	24,483,835,000	'
Cost of goods sold	8,384,725,000	8,700,170,000	21,849,095,000	24,017,733,000	'
Gross profit	219,109,000	131,696,000	562,799,000	466,102,000	'
Marketing, general and administrative	99,942,000	77,653,000	282,823,000	223,041,000	'
Operating earnings	119,167,000	54,043,000	279,976,000	243,061,000	'
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	116,000	-45,000	'
Interest, net	15,357,000	17,434,000	39,498,000	53,472,000	'
Equity (income) loss from investments	-5,216,000	-3,365,000	-19,906,000	-13,104,000	'
Income before income taxes	109,026,000	39,974,000	260,268,000	202,738,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0	'
Goodwill	104,507,000	76,103,000	104,507,000	76,103,000	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	250,423,000	131,794,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	85,284,000	77,587,000	'
Total identifiable assets	7,269,201,000	7,127,300,000	7,269,201,000	7,127,300,000	'
Corporate and Other	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	18,195,000	15,411,000	52,403,000	52,357,000	'
Cost of goods sold	-43,000	-525,000	-54,000	-2,017,000	'
Gross profit	18,238,000	15,936,000	52,457,000	54,374,000	'
Marketing, general and administrative	18,720,000	17,406,000	50,767,000	53,526,000	'
Operating earnings	-482,000	-1,470,000	1,690,000	848,000	'
Loss (gain) on investments	108,792,000	154,000	111,517,000	-154,000	'
Interest, net	3,088,000	2,902,000	7,553,000	9,288,000	'
Equity (income) loss from investments	-19,526,000	-23,358,000	-66,406,000	-58,722,000	'
Income before income taxes	124,748,000	19,140,000	172,060,000	50,436,000	'
Revenue from Related Parties	0	0	0	0	'
Goodwill	6,898,000	6,898,000	6,898,000	6,898,000	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	38,637,000	5,185,000	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	8,300,000	12,798,000	'
Total identifiable assets	3,371,083,000	1,861,284,000	3,371,083,000	1,861,284,000	'
Reconciling Amounts	'	'	'	'	'
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenues	-135,304,000	-116,061,000	-419,389,000	-352,624,000	'
Cost of goods sold	-135,304,000	-116,061,000	-419,389,000	-352,624,000	'
Gross profit	0	0	0	0	'
Marketing, general and administrative	0	0	0	0	'
Operating earnings	0	0	0	0	'
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	0	0	'
Interest, net	0	0	0	0	'
Equity (income) loss from investments	0	0	0	0	'
Income before income taxes	0	0	0	0	'
Revenue from Related Parties	135,304,000	116,061,000	419,389,000	352,624,000	'
Goodwill	0	0	0	0	'
Capital expenditures	'	'	0	0	'
Depreciation and amortization	'	'	0	0	'
Total identifiable assets	$0	$0	$0	$0	'

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen2

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details) (Forward Contracts [Member])	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
	Bushels	Bushels	Bushels
Grain and oilseed - bushels \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	717,181,000	521,979,000	519,293,000
Grain and oilseed - bushels \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	969,100,000	806,295,000	806,244,000
Energy products - barrels \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	20,517,000	12,626,000	13,833,000
Energy products - barrels \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	35,676,000	21,312,000	20,125,000
Soy products - tons \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	33,000	24,000	70,000
Soy products - tons \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	962,000	847,000	325,000
Crop nutrients - tons \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,077,000	968,000	675,000
Crop nutrients - tons \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,194,000	1,050,000	778,000
Ocean and barge freight - tons \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,148,000	1,225,000	888,000
Ocean and barge freight - tons \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	290,000	151,000	130,000
Rail freight - rail cars \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	339,000	220,000	242,000
Rail freight - rail cars \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	159,000	43,000	39,000
Livestock - pounds \| Long [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	0	0	7,760,000
Livestock - pounds \| Short [Member]	'	'	'
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	47,800,000	17,280,000	0

Derivative_Financial_Instrumen3

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivatives (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-14
				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]	Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]	Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]	Fair Value Hedging [Member]
										Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]	Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]	Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$13,500,000	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	492,202,000	445,823,000	491,783,000	492,095,000	415,566,000	477,580,000	105,000	6,122,000	5,043,000	2,000	24,135,000	9,160,000	'	0	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	544,382,000	499,890,000	524,461,000	544,198,000	468,673,000	510,258,000	182,000	7,079,000	5,043,000	2,000	24,135,000	9,160,000	'	3,000	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Collateral, Obligation to Return Cash, Offset	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	'	0	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	52,180,000	54,067,000	32,678,000	52,103,000	53,107,000	32,678,000	77,000	957,000	0	0	0	0	'	3,000	'	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	360,291,000	409,408,000	367,375,000	358,045,000	404,195,000	363,188,000	2,076,000	4,968,000	3,883,000	'	'	'	170,000	245,000	304,000	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	412,471,000	465,066,000	456,476,000	410,148,000	458,893,000	452,289,000	2,153,000	5,925,000	3,883,000	'	'	'	170,000	248,000	304,000	'	'
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0	1,591,000	56,423,000	0	1,591,000	56,423,000	0	0	0	'	'	'	0	0	0	'	'
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	52,180,000	54,067,000	32,678,000	52,103,000	53,107,000	32,678,000	77,000	957,000	0	'	'	'	0	3,000	0	'	'
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	$130,000,000

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 $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments, tax effect of unrealized gain or loss deferred into accumulated other comprehensive income	$0	$9,200,000	$3,500,000
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	$0	$14,930,000	$5,666,000

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		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$151,800	($35,991)	$211,269	($449,937)
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] \| Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	157,461	-22,457	218,883	-452,747
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] \| Cost of goods sold	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	-5,685	-13,648	-7,688	2,570
Interest rate derivatives \| Interest, net	'	'	'	'
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Pretax gain (loss) on derivative instruments	$24	$114	$74	$240

Fair_Value_Measurements_Recurr

Fair Value Measurements Recurring Fair Value Measurements by Level (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$544,382	$499,890	$524,461
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	412,471	465,066	456,476
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	0	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	89,848	114,084	131,901
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	176,669	179,419	190,319
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	81,437	65,109	99,880
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	1,159,581	1,203,383	1,433,639
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,617,142	1,637,940	1,899,682
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	331,034	399,958	356,596
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	0	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	130,159	134,134	146,245
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	1,159,581	1,203,383	1,433,639
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	89,848	114,084	131,901
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,793,811	1,817,359	2,090,001
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	542,630	599,201	602,721
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	544,198	468,673	510,258
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	410,148	458,893	452,289
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	86,639	58,441	53,375
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	79,284	59,184	95,997
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	457,559	410,233	456,883
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	330,864	399,710	356,292
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	544,198	468,674	510,258
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	410,148	458,894	452,289
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	2	24,139	9,160
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	170	248	304
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	2	24,139	9,160
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	170	248	304
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	182	7,079	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,153	5,925	3,883
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	182	6,894	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,153	5,925	3,883
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	0	185	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	182	7,079	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	$2,153	$5,925	$3,883

Fair_Value_Measurements_Fair_V

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	$544,382	$499,890	$524,461
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	412,471	465,066	456,476
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	0	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	89,848	114,084	131,901
Total assets	176,669	179,419	190,319
Total liabilities	81,437	65,109	99,880
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	1,159,581	1,203,383	1,433,639
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Total assets	1,617,142	1,637,940	1,899,682
Total liabilities	331,034	399,958	356,596
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	0	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0	0
Total assets	0	0	0
Total liabilities	130,159	134,134	146,245
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	1,159,581	1,203,383	1,433,639
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	89,848	114,084	131,901
Total assets	1,793,811	1,817,359	2,090,001
Total liabilities	542,630	599,201	602,721
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	182	7,079	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,153	5,925	3,883
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	182	6,894	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,153	5,925	3,883
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	0	185	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	182	7,079	5,043
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	2,153	5,925	3,883
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]	'	'	'
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	544,198	468,673	510,258
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	410,148	458,893	452,289
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	86,639	58,441	53,375
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	79,284	59,184	95,997
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	457,559	410,233	456,883
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	330,864	399,710	356,292
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	544,198	468,674	510,258
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	410,148	458,894	452,289
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	2	24,139	9,160
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	170	248	304
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	0	0	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	0	0	0
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	2	24,139	9,160
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	170	248	304
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	0	0	0
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	0	0	0
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	130,159	134,134	146,245
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	$146,245

Fair_Value_Measurements_Quanti

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) (Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	31-May-14		31-May-14		31-May-14		31-May-14		31-May-14	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13
	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]
	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]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]	'		'		'		'		'	'	'
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest	'		'		'		'		$130,159,000	$134,134,000	$146,245,000
Forward crack spread margin	$14.34	[1]	$17.72	[1]	$16.55	[1]	'		'	'	'
Contractual target crack spread margin (in dollars per share)	'		'		'		$17.50	[2]	'	'	'
Expected volatility	'		'		'		128.59%	[3]	'	'	'
Own credit risk	1.80%	[4]	2.60%	[4]	2.23%	[4]	'		'	'	'
Expected life (years)	'0 years 3 months	[5]	'3 years 3 months	[5]	'1 year 10 months 25 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 $)	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	31-May-14	31-May-13	31-May-14	31-May-13
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	31-May-13	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	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	$130,159	$140,631	$134,134	$146,245	$140,987	$127,516	'	'	'	'
Total gains or losses included in cost of goods sold and net interest	'	'	'	'	'	'	-10,472	5,258	-3,975	18,729
Balance	$130,159	$140,631	$134,134	$146,245	$140,987	$127,516	'	'	'	'

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies Unconditional Purchase Obligations (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$503,960,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due in Next Twelve Months	62,769,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Two to Three Years	130,048,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Four to Five Years	91,324,000
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due after Five Years	219,819,000
Minimum [Member]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]	'
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term	$428,400,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees (Details) (USD $)	31-May-14
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]	'
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$1,000,000,000
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$79,600,000

Commitments_and_Contingencies_3

Commitments and Contingencies Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended	15 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	31-May-14	31-May-14
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]	'	'
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum	$13.40	$13.40
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum	21.1	21.1
Loss Contingency, Loss in Period	'	18
Loss Contingency Accrual, Payments	9.6	'
Insurance Recoveries	'	$0