CHS (CHSCN) 10-Q 10 Jul 15 2015 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - USD ($) None in scaling factor is -9223372036854775296	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	Jul. 10, 2015
DEI [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHS Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	823,277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2015
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Public Float

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,101,872	$ 2,133,207
Receivables	3,073,731	2,988,563
Inventories	3,118,838	2,760,253
Derivative assets	605,024	603,933
Margin deposits	266,151	301,045
Supplier advance payments	514,203	331,345
Other current assets	420,310	279,304
Total current assets	9,100,129	9,397,650
Investments	998,671	923,227
Property, plant and equipment	4,648,282	4,031,023
Other assets	972,177	795,079
Total assets	15,719,259	15,146,979
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	1,272,048	1,159,473
Current portion of long-term debt	150,079	156,836
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	151,627	65,981
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	185,690	265,556
Customer advance payments	609,075	602,374
Checks and Drafts Outstanding	107,599	167,846
Accounts payable	1,917,428	2,208,211
Derivative liabilities	529,172	599,990
Accrued expenses	547,130	547,781
Dividends and equities payable	301,577	409,961
Total current liabilities	5,771,425	6,184,009
Long-term debt	1,171,604	1,299,664
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	148,756
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	595,004	566,647
Other liabilities	$ 459,806	$ 481,059
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Preferred stock	$ 2,167,540	$ 1,190,177
Equity certificates	3,742,389	3,816,428
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(160,267)	(156,757)
Capital reserves	1,960,533	1,598,660
Total CHS Inc. equities	7,710,195	6,448,508
Noncontrolling interests	11,225	18,336
Total equities	7,721,420	6,466,844
Total liabilities and equities	$ 15,719,259	$ 15,146,979

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 8,740,905	$ 11,967,398	$ 26,596,101	$ 32,673,793
Cost of goods sold	8,430,249	11,460,774	25,450,359	31,324,819
Gross profit	310,656	506,624	1,145,742	1,348,974
Marketing, general and administrative	165,341	158,859	498,084	447,771
Operating earnings	145,315	347,765	647,658	901,203
Loss (gain) on investments	0	(108,792)	(5,074)	(111,401)
Interest, net	9,557	42,489	39,648	102,263
Equity (income) loss from investments	(34,750)	(25,522)	(83,548)	(89,249)
Income before income taxes	170,508	439,590	696,632	999,590
Income taxes	(7,327)	59,717	47,569	116,068
Net income	177,835	379,873	649,063	883,522
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(215)	418	(504)	1,812
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 178,050	$ 379,455	$ 649,567	$ 881,710

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Net income	$ 177,835	$ 379,873	$ 649,063	$ 883,522
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	3,258	4,385	10,262	11,480
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax	(202)	32	570	1,520
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives Arising During Period, Net of Tax	362	131	(2,047)	(14,535)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax	(1,290)	1,650	(12,295)	(833)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,128	6,198	(3,510)	(2,368)
Comprehensive Income	179,963	386,071	645,553	881,154
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(215)	418	(504)	1,812
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to CHS	$ 180,178	$ 385,653	$ 646,057	$ 879,342

Consolidated Statements of Com5

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Parenthetical - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification, Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans, Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Net Periodic Benefit Cost, Tax	$ 2,024	$ 2,770	$ 6,391	$ 7,145
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities, Tax expense (benefit)	(125)	20	351	937
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Derivatives Qualifying as Hedges, Tax expense (benefit)	223	81	(1,262)	(8,961)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment, Tax expense (benefit)	$ (796)	$ 1,017	$ (7,581)	$ (514)

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 649,063	$ 883,522
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	227,323	193,161
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	30,022	37,411
Equity (income) loss from investments	(83,548)	(89,249)
Distributions from equity investments	62,449	62,019
Noncash patronage dividends received	(4,882)	(5,058)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(3,897)	1,473
Gain on investments	(5,074)	(111,401)
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability	(5,697)	(3,975)
Deferred taxes	29,836	99,574
Other, net	3,071	16,463
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(9,607)	(242,348)
Inventories	(332,906)	(150,039)
Derivative assets	7,799	(67,986)
Margin deposits	35,075	(41,111)
Supplier advance payments	(182,858)	(241,495)
Other current assets and other assets	20,960	(10,223)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(109,116)	(48,474)
Customer advance payments	5,305	448,920
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(301,956)	(211,126)
Derivative liabilities	(74,725)	(52,595)
Other liabilities	(27,923)	4,847
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(71,286)	472,310
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(827,228)	(656,288)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	8,348	4,373
Expenditures for Major Repairs	(145,550)	0
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	(170,000)	0
Investments in joint ventures and other	(57,595)	(67,457)
Investments redeemed	11,281	130,445
Proceeds from sale of investments	8,284	2,725
Changes in notes receivable	(116,556)	(321,376)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(8,929)	(114,438)
Other investing activities, net	(5,343)	(3,558)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(1,303,288)	(1,025,574)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	128,356	241,070
Long-term debt borrowings	3,546	1,426
Principal payments on long-term debt	(155,302)	(141,760)
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	(65,981)	(65,981)
Payments on crack spread contingent liability	0	(8,670)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(58,962)	(4,328)
Preferred stock issued	1,010,000	702,979
Preferred stock issuance costs	(32,637)	(23,134)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(93,211)	(29,860)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(430)	(575)
Retirements of equities	(114,048)	(87,666)
Cash Patronage Dividends Paid	(277,020)	(286,718)
Other financing activities, net	581	(1,635)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	344,892	295,148
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(1,653)	(918)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,031,335)	(259,034)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	2,133,207	1,808,532
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,101,872	$ 1,549,498

Summary of Significant Accounti

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2015 , the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 , the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 , and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 , 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, 2014 , 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 notes to our consolidated financial statements make reference to our Energy and Ag reportable segments, as well as our Corporate and Other category, which represents an aggregation of individually immaterial operating segments. See Note 11, Segment Reporting for more information. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies, including National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany 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, 2014 , included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Our derivative instruments primarily consist of commodity and freight futures and forward contracts and, to a lesser degree, may include foreign currency and interest rate swap contracts. These contracts are economic hedges of price risk, but are not designated or accounted for as hedging instruments for accounting purposes, with the exception of certain interest rate swap contracts which are accounted for as cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. Derivative instruments are recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. See Note 12, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities and Note 13, Fair Value Measurements for additional information. 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. Major Maintenance Activities 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. For the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 , major repairs turnaround expenditures were $137.3 million and $145.6 million , respectively. There were no turnaround expenditures for the nine months ended May 31, 2014 . Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-07, "Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)." The update provides guidance on the disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent). The amendments remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. ASU No. 2015-07 is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2016. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU No. 2015-02 amended the process that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. ASU No. 2015-02 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2017. In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, "Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity." The amendments in this ASU do not change the current criteria in GAAP for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. The amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. The ASU applies to all entities that are issuers of, or investors in, hybrid financial instruments that are issued in the form of a share and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-16 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2016. 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, although the FASB has issued an exposure draft proposing to delay the effective date by one year (though early adoption would be allowed). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Receivables May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 2,049,338 $ 2,153,929 CHS Capital notes receivable 754,091 633,475 Other 376,949 304,798 3,180,378 3,092,202 Less allowances and reserves 106,647 103,639 Total receivables $ 3,073,731 $ 2,988,563 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 cooperatives' capital stock. These loans are primarily originated in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and Michigan. 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 $157.1 million and $159.7 million at May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , respectively. The long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 the commercial notes represented 45% and 46% , respectively, and the producer notes represented 55% and 54% , 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, 2015 , customers of CHS Capital have additional available credit of approximately $1.0 billion .

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Grain and oilseed $ 1,288,769 $ 961,327 Energy 864,370 875,719 Crop nutrients 298,933 374,023 Feed and farm supplies 582,900 448,454 Processed grain and oilseed 73,381 84,498 Other 10,485 16,232 Total inventories $ 3,118,838 $ 2,760,253 As of May 31, 2015 , we valued approximately 18% of inventories, primarily related to Energy, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or market ( 16% as of August 31, 2014 ). If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been higher than the reported amount by $194.9 million and $ 538.7 million at May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , 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
	May. 31, 2015
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments As of August 31, 2014 , we owned 84.0% of NCRA and with the closings in September 2014, our ownership increased to 88.9% . 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 thereafter, with the final closing occurring on September 1, 2015. Pursuant to this agreement, we made payments during the nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 of $66.0 million and $66.0 million , respectively. 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 $109.2 million as of May 31, 2015 . Equity Method Investments Joint ventures and other investments, in which we have significant ownership and influence, but not control, are accounted for in our consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Our significant equity method investments are summarized below. 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, 2015 , our carrying value of Ventura Foods exceeded our share of their equity by $12.9 million , which represents equity method goodwill. As of May 31, 2015 , the carrying value of our investment in Ventura Foods was $341.5 million . In fiscal 2014, 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, giving CHS a 12% interest in Ardent Mills. Prior to closing, we contributed $32.8 million to Horizon Milling, LLC 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 $121.2 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 total gain of $109.2 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 products. As we hold one of the five board seats, we account for Ardent Mills as an equity method investment included in Corporate and Other. As of May 31, 2015 , the carrying value of our investment in Ardent Mills was $195.2 million . TEMCO, LLC (TEMCO) is owned and governed by Cargill ( 50% ) and CHS ( 50% ). Both owners have committed to sell all of their feedgrains, wheat, oilseeds and by-product origination that are tributary to the Pacific Northwest, United States (Pacific Northwest) to TEMCO and to use TEMCO as their exclusive export-marketing vehicle for such grains exported through the Pacific Northwest through January 2037. We account for TEMCO as an equity method investment included in our Ag segment. As of May 31, 2015 , the carrying value of our investment in TEMCO was $60.0 million . Other Short-Term Investments In the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we invested $315.0 million of the proceeds from the September 2014 Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock issuance (see Note 9, Equities for additional information) in time deposits with original maturities of six and nine months with select highly-rated financial institution counterparties. As of May 31, 2015 , $145.0 million of these short-term investments had matured and were reconverted into cash and cash equivalents. The remaining $170.0 million of short-term investments are included in other current assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.

Property, Plant and Equipment (

Property, Plant and Equipment (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Plant, Property and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	Property, Plant and Equipment As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , total property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization, was $4.6 billion and $4.0 billion , respectively. The increase in fiscal 2015 is driven by an increase in construction in progress of $540.5 million related primarily to capital projects at our refineries and the fertilizer plant project described below. In September 2014, our Board of Directors approved plans to begin construction of a nitrogen fertilizer plant located in Spiritwood, North Dakota. We currently estimate the construction costs to be more than $3.0 billion , with the plant anticipated to be operational during calendar year 2018. For additional information about this project, see " Liquidity and Capital Resources ." As of May 31, 2015 , we have included in construction-in-process approximately $74.4 million related to this project. As required by GAAP, we review long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances, including significant changes in actual or expected operating results, indicate that the asset’s carrying value may not be recoverable. Depreciation expense during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 was $75.8 million and $219.0 million , respectively. Depreciation expense during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 was $62.4 million and $182.5 million , respectively.

Goodwill and Intangibles (Notes

Goodwill and Intangibles (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill of $156.5 million and $158.7 million on May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , respectively, is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the net carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 , by segment, are as follows: Energy Ag Corporate Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2014 $ 552 $ 151,246 $ 6,898 $ 158,696 Goodwill acquired during the period — 1,213 — 1,213 Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments — (3,459 ) — (3,459 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 $ 552 $ 149,000 $ 6,898 $ 156,450 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). Information regarding intangible assets included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets is as follows: May 31, August 31, Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net (Dollars in thousands) Customer lists $ 71,244 $ (29,658 ) $ 41,586 $ 69,862 $ (26,114 ) $ 43,748 Trademarks and other intangible assets 42,409 (31,482 ) 10,927 41,293 (29,587 ) 11,706 Total intangible assets $ 113,653 $ (61,140 ) $ 52,513 $ 111,155 $ (55,701 ) $ 55,454 Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 was $1.8 million and $5.4 million , respectively. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the three and nine months ended May 31, 2014 was $2.4 million and $7.3 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 $ 7,195 Year 2 5,996 Year 3 4,712 Year 4 3,767 Year 5 3,543

Notes Payable and Long-Term Deb

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt Our notes payable and long-term debt are subject to various restrictive requirements for maintenance of minimum consolidated net worth and other financial ratios. We were in compliance with our debt covenants as of May 31, 2015 . May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Notes payable $ 912,905 $ 840,699 CHS Capital notes payable 359,143 318,774 Total notes payable $ 1,272,048 $ 1,159,473 On May 31, 2015 , our primary 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, 2015 and August 31, 2014 . Interest, net for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest expense $ 24,365 $ 23,397 $ 64,975 $ 57,823 Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests 4,844 23,862 23,772 56,258 Capitalized interest (17,104 ) (2,641 ) (41,715 ) (6,503 ) Interest income (2,548 ) (2,129 ) (7,384 ) (5,315 ) Interest, net $ 9,557 $ 42,489 $ 39,648 $ 102,263 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 Statement of Operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2014. See Note 12, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Income Taxes (Notes)

Income Taxes (Notes)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	Income Taxes During the three months ended May 31, 2015 , our Board of Directors adopted a resolution to treat non-qualified equity certificates issued in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 in the same manner as qualified equity certificates under the “Eligible Producer Member Equity” provision of the Policy for the Redemption of CHS Inc. Equities. Previously we had not established an intent of non-qualified equity certificates revolvement to eligible producer members, thus the tax benefit associated with redemption would have been recognized in future periods as those redemptions occur. As a result of the new resolution, we recorded a $30.7 million deferred tax benefit during the third quarter of fiscal 2015 related to the future redemption, at the discretion of our Board of Directors, of non-qualified equity certificates to eligible producer members.

Equities

Equities	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Equity [Abstract]
Equities	Equities Preferred Stock 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. In September 2014, we issued 19,700,000 shares of Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 3 (Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock) with a total redemption value of $492.5 million , excluding accumulated dividends. Net proceeds from the sale of our Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us, were approximately $476.7 million . The Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol CHSCM and accumulates dividends at a rate of 6.75% per year to, but excluding, September 30, 2024, and at a rate equal to the three-month LIBOR plus 4.155% , not to exceed 8.00% per annum thereafter, which are payable quarterly. Our Class B Series 3 Preferred Stock may be redeemed at our option beginning September 30, 2024. In January 2015, we issued 20,700,000 shares of Class B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, Series 4 (Class B Series 4 Preferred Stock) with a total redemption value of $517.5 million , excluding accumulated dividends. Net proceeds from the sale of our Class B Series 4 Preferred Stock, after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses payable by us, were approximately $501.0 million . The Class B Series 4 Preferred Stock is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC under the symbol CHSCL and accumulates dividends at a rate of 7.50% per year, which are payable quarterly. Our Class B Series 4 Preferred Stock may be redeemed at our option beginning January 21, 2025. Changes in Equities Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 are as follows: Equity Certificates Accumulated Capital Nonpatronage Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Capital Noncontrolling Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2014 $ 3,508,473 $ 23,256 $ 284,699 $ 1,190,177 $ (156,757 ) $ 1,598,660 $ 18,336 $ 6,466,844 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates (276,966 ) — (148,579 ) — — 810,641 — 385,096 Distribution of 2014 patronage refunds 396,443 — 147,715 — — (821,178 ) — (277,020 ) Redemptions of equities (113,484 ) (131 ) (453 ) — — 20 — (114,048 ) Equities issued, net 12,365 — — 977,363 — — — 989,728 Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (105,223 ) — (105,223 ) Distributions to noncontrolling interests — — — — — — (430 ) (430 ) Other, net (243 ) — (606 ) — — 2,646 (6,177 ) (4,380 ) Net income — — — — — 649,567 (504 ) 649,063 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax — — — — (3,510 ) — — (3,510 ) Estimated 2015 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (174,600 ) — (174,600 ) Estimated 2015 equity redemptions (90,100 ) — — — — — — (90,100 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 $ 3,436,488 $ 23,125 $ 282,776 $ 2,167,540 $ (160,267 ) $ 1,960,533 $ 11,225 $ 7,721,420 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, are as follows for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 : 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, 2014 $ (151,852 ) $ 4,398 $ (2,722 ) $ (6,581 ) $ (156,757 ) Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 236 570 (2,418 ) (12,295 ) (13,907 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 10,026 — 371 — 10,397 Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 10,262 570 (2,047 ) (12,295 ) (3,510 ) Balance as of May 31, 2015 $ (141,590 ) $ 4,968 $ (4,769 ) $ (18,876 ) $ (160,267 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily related to pension and other postretirement benefits 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 10, Benefit Plans .

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
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, 2015 and 2014 are as follows: Qualified Pension Benefits Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended May 31 are as follows: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 8,889 $ 7,543 $ 206 $ 219 $ 188 $ 339 Interest cost 7,003 7,495 357 423 288 418 Expected return on assets (12,431 ) (11,910 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 407 398 57 57 (30 ) (30 ) Actuarial (gain) loss amortization 4,916 4,566 272 250 (342 ) (228 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 8,784 $ 8,092 $ 892 $ 949 $ 104 $ 499 Components of net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended May 31 are as follows: Service cost $ 27,005 $ 22,812 $ 656 $ 646 $ 1,134 $ 1,297 Interest cost 21,019 22,433 1,061 1,245 1,118 1,439 Expected return on assets (37,305 ) (35,726 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 1,223 1,195 171 171 (90 ) (90 ) Actuarial (gain) loss amortization 14,724 13,655 794 718 (553 ) (415 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 26,666 $ 24,369 $ 2,682 $ 2,780 $ 1,609 $ 2,231 Employer Contributions Total contributions to be made during fiscal 2015 , 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, 2015 , CHS made a voluntary contribution of $29.1 million to the pension plans. At this time, we do not anticipate having to make a required contribution for our benefit plans in fiscal 2015 .

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
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 our 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. Prior to fiscal 2015, our renewable fuels marketing business was included in our Energy segment and our renewable fuels production business was included in our Ag segment. Effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2015, we reorganized certain parts of our business to better align our ethanol supply chain. As a result, our renewable fuels marketing business is now managed together with our renewable fuels production business within our Ag segment. In accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting , we have identified our operating segments to reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision maker evaluates performance and manages the business, and we have aggregated those operating segments into our reportable Energy and Ag segments. Prior period segment information below has been revised to reflect this change to ensure comparability. 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. 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, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2015: (Dollars in thousands) Revenues $ 1,732,192 $ 7,088,072 $ 17,750 $ (97,109 ) $ 8,740,905 Cost of goods sold 1,618,937 6,908,435 (14 ) (97,109 ) 8,430,249 Gross profit 113,255 179,637 17,764 — 310,656 Marketing, general and administrative 37,956 111,438 15,947 — 165,341 Operating earnings (losses) 75,299 68,199 1,817 — 145,315 (Gain) loss on investments — — — — — Interest, net (7,678 ) 14,478 2,757 — 9,557 Equity (income) loss from investments (364 ) (7,964 ) (26,422 ) — (34,750 ) Income before income taxes $ 83,341 $ 61,685 $ 25,482 $ — $ 170,508 Intersegment revenues $ (94,092 ) $ (3,017 ) $ — $ 97,109 $ — Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2014: Revenues $ 2,862,239 $ 9,236,768 $ 18,195 $ (149,804 ) $ 11,967,398 Cost of goods sold 2,603,480 9,007,141 (43 ) (149,804 ) 11,460,774 Gross profit 258,759 229,627 18,238 — 506,624 Marketing, general and administrative 37,915 102,224 18,720 — 158,859 Operating earnings (losses) 220,844 127,403 (482 ) — 347,765 (Gain) loss on investments — — (108,792 ) — (108,792 ) Interest, net 23,952 15,449 3,088 — 42,489 Equity (income) loss from investments (780 ) (5,216 ) (19,526 ) — (25,522 ) Income before income taxes $ 197,672 $ 117,170 $ 124,748 $ — $ 439,590 Intersegment revenues $ (141,501 ) $ (8,303 ) $ — $ 149,804 $ — Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015: Revenues $ 6,697,942 $ 20,231,391 $ 53,546 $ (386,778 ) $ 26,596,101 Cost of goods sold 6,217,789 19,619,374 (26 ) (386,778 ) 25,450,359 Gross profit 480,153 612,017 53,572 — 1,145,742 Marketing, general and administrative 118,082 321,986 58,016 — 498,084 Operating earnings (losses) 362,071 290,031 (4,444 ) — 647,658 (Gain) loss on investments — (2,875 ) (2,199 ) — (5,074 ) Interest, net (11,121 ) 43,284 7,485 — 39,648 Equity (income) loss from investments (1,440 ) (12,427 ) (69,681 ) — (83,548 ) Income before income taxes $ 374,632 $ 262,049 $ 59,951 $ — $ 696,632 Intersegment revenues $ (374,612 ) $ (12,166 ) $ — $ 386,778 $ — Capital expenditures $ 467,700 $ 305,136 $ 54,392 $ — $ 827,228 Depreciation and amortization $ 104,984 $ 112,252 $ 10,087 $ — $ 227,323 Total assets at May 31, 2015 $ 4,600,786 $ 8,033,290 $ 3,085,183 $ — $ 15,719,259 Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014: Revenues $ 9,064,748 $ 24,001,467 $ 52,403 $ (444,825 ) $ 32,673,793 Cost of goods sold 8,351,509 23,418,189 (54 ) (444,825 ) 31,324,819 Gross profit 713,239 583,278 52,457 — 1,348,974 Marketing, general and administrative 108,012 288,992 50,767 — 447,771 Operating earnings (losses) 605,227 294,286 1,690 — 901,203 (Gain) loss on investments — 116 (111,517 ) — (111,401 ) Interest, net 54,974 39,736 7,553 — 102,263 Equity (income) loss from investments (2,937 ) (19,906 ) (66,406 ) — (89,249 ) Income before income taxes $ 553,190 $ 274,340 $ 172,060 $ — $ 999,590 Intersegment revenues $ (436,522 ) $ (8,303 ) $ — $ 444,825 $ — Capital expenditures $ 367,044 $ 250,607 $ 38,637 $ — $ 656,288 Depreciation and amortization $ 99,546 $ 85,315 $ 8,300 $ — $ 193,161 Total assets at May 31, 2014 $ 4,203,832 $ 7,370,032 $ 3,371,083 $ — $ 14,944,947

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
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 described in Note 13, Fair Value Measurements . The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities, and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset under ASC 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, 2015 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 $ 573,592 $ — $ 79,969 $ 493,623 Foreign exchange derivatives 16,783 — 7,156 9,627 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 14,649 — — 14,649 Total $ 605,024 $ — $ 87,125 $ 517,899 Derivative Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 500,137 $ 16,829 $ 79,969 $ 403,339 Foreign exchange derivatives 22,887 — 7,156 15,731 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 6,064 — — 6,064 Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge 84 — — 84 Total $ 529,172 $ 16,829 $ 87,125 $ 425,218 August 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 $ 597,210 $ — $ 42,229 $ 554,981 Foreign exchange derivatives 2,523 — 1,174 1,349 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 4,200 — — 4,200 Total $ 603,933 $ — $ 43,403 $ 560,530 Derivative Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 597,612 $ 2,504 $ 42,229 $ 552,879 Foreign exchange derivatives 2,248 — 1,174 1,074 Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge 130 — — 130 Total $ 599,990 $ 2,504 $ 43,403 $ 554,083 Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. 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, 2015 and 2014 . We have revised the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. Although such gains and losses have been and continue to be appropriately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the previous disclosures did not accurately reflect the derivative gains and losses in each period. These revisions did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements. For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity and freight derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 113,554 $ 28,051 $ 327,745 $ 178,278 Foreign exchange derivatives Cost of goods sold 4,211 (6,487 ) 12,401 (6,681 ) Interest rate derivatives Interest, net 10 24 84 75 Total $ 117,775 $ 21,588 $ 340,230 $ 171,672 Commodity and Freight Contracts: As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , we had outstanding commodity and freight futures that were used as economic hedges, as well as fixed-price forward contracts related to physical purchases and sales of commodities. The table below presents the notional volumes for all outstanding commodity and freight contracts accounted for as derivative instruments. We have made revisions to the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. We previously disclosed volume information for physically-settled forward purchase and sale contracts, including some contracts not accounted for as derivatives. As a result, we have corrected the derivative volume disclosure presented below to include information on the notional amounts for contracts accounted for as derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging . These revisions did not materially impact our previously issued consolidated financial statements. May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 Long Short Long Short (Units in thousands) Grain and oilseed - bushels 614,214 819,346 655,799 802,479 Energy products - barrels 21,777 15,569 20,191 16,431 Processed grain and oilseed- tons 906 3,939 749 3,047 Crop nutrients - tons 84 191 59 126 Ocean and barge freight - metric tons 5,643 1,829 5,727 4,250 Rail freight - rail cars 354 175 364 186 Livestock - pounds 13,800 35,680 11,960 46,520 Foreign Exchange Contracts: We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S. dollars, but we are exposed to some risk relating to foreign currency fluctuations primarily due to grain marketing transactions in South America and Europe and purchases of products from Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Although our overall risk relating to foreign currency transactions is not significant, exchange rate fluctuations do, however, impact the ability of foreign buyers to purchase U.S. agricultural products and the competitiveness of U.S. agricultural products compared to the same products offered by alternative sources of world supply. The notional amounts of our foreign exchange derivative contracts were $912.4 million and $784.4 million as of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , respectively. Interest Rate Contracts: CHS Capital, our wholly-owned finance subsidiary, has interest rate swaps that lock the interest rates of underlying loans with a combined notional amount of $3.4 million expiring at various times through fiscal 2018, with $0.1 million of the notional amount expiring during fiscal 2015. None of CHS Capital’s interest rate swaps qualify for hedge accounting, and as a result, changes in fair value are recorded in earnings within interest, net in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow or Fair Value Hedging Strategies As of May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 , we had certain derivatives designated as cash flow and fair value hedges. Interest Rate Contracts: We have outstanding interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $420.0 million designated as fair value hedges of portions of our fixed-rate debt. Our objective in entering into these transactions 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 instruments and the hedged debt are recorded contemporaneously each period and only create an impact to earnings to the extent that the hedge is ineffective. During the nine months ended May 31, 2015 , we recorded offsetting fair value adjustments of $8.3 million , with no ineffectiveness recorded in earnings. During the nine months ended May 31, 2015 , we entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $300.0 million designated as cash flow hedges of the expected variability of future interest payments on our anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt. The swaps expire in fiscal 2016 with no amounts expected to be included in earnings during the next 12 months. In fiscal 2013, we entered into interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges of the expected variability of future interest payments on the forecasted issuance of fixed-rate debt. Gains and losses related to these swaps were initially recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. In February 2014, the swaps were terminated as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable and, as a result, a $13.5 million pre-tax gain was reclassified into net income in that period. The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 . For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate derivatives $ 389 $ — $ (3,907 ) $ (10,580 ) The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 . For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate derivatives Interest income (expense) $ (197 ) $ (210 ) $ (598 ) $ 12,933

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The following tables present assets and liabilities, included 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. Recurring fair value measurements at May 31, 2015 and August 31, 2014 are as follows: May 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets: Readily marketable inventories $ — $ 1,227,368 $ — $ 1,227,368 Commodity and freight derivatives 72,412 501,180 — 573,592 Foreign currency derivatives — 16,783 — 16,783 Interest rate swap derivatives — 14,649 — 14,649 Deferred compensation assets 75,723 — — 75,723 Other assets 11,150 — — 11,150 Total $ 159,285 $ 1,759,980 $ — $ 1,919,265 Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 131,312 $ 368,825 $ — $ 500,137 Interest rate swap derivatives — 6,148 — 6,148 Foreign currency derivatives — 22,887 — 22,887 Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — — 109,220 109,220 Total $ 131,312 $ 397,860 $ 109,220 $ 638,392 August 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets: Readily marketable inventories $ — $ 921,554 $ — $ 921,554 Commodity and freight derivatives 78,590 518,620 — 597,210 Interest rate swap derivatives — 4,200 — 4,200 Foreign currency derivatives 2,523 — — 2,523 Deferred compensation assets 83,217 — — 83,217 Other assets 8,778 — — 8,778 Total $ 173,108 $ 1,444,374 $ — $ 1,617,482 Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 117,690 $ 479,922 $ — $ 597,612 Interest rate swap derivatives — 130 — 130 Foreign currency derivatives 2,248 — — 2,248 Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — — 114,917 114,917 Total $ 119,938 $ 480,052 $ 114,917 $ 714,907 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. 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. See Note 12 , Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information about interest rate swaps designated as fair value and cash flow hedges. Deferred compensation and other assets — Our deferred compensation investments, Rabbi Trust assets and available-for-sale investments in common stock of other companies 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. Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payment related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — The fair value of the accrued contingent consideration 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 Range Item May 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (Weighted Average) Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests $109,220 Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model Forward crack spread margin on May 31, 2015 (a) $20.27-$25.30 ($24.16) Contractual target crack spread margin (b) $17.50 Expected volatility (c) 157.34% Risk-free interest rate (d) 0.09-0.94% (0.54%) Expected life - years (e) 0.25-2.25 (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, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Level 3 Liabilities Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Balances, February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 121,070 $ 140,631 Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold (11,850 ) (10,472 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 109,220 $ 130,159 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, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Level 3 Liabilities Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively $ 114,917 $ 134,134 Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold (5,697 ) (3,975 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 109,220 $ 130,159 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
	May. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Unconditional Purchase Obligations Unconditional purchase obligations are commitments to transfer funds in the future for fixed or minimum amounts or quantities of goods or services at fixed or minimum prices. Our 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. As of May 31, 2015 , minimum future payments required under long-term commitments that are noncancelable, and that third parties have used to secure financing for the facilities that will provide the contracted goods, are as follows: Payments Due by Period Total Less than 1 - 3 3 - 5 More than (Dollars in thousands) Long-term unconditional purchase obligations $ 912,183 $ 79,751 $ 129,020 $ 114,110 $ 589,302 The discounted aggregate amount of the minimum required payments under long-term unconditional purchase obligations, based on current exchange rates at May 31, 2015 is $729.9 million . Guarantees We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related companies. As of May 31, 2015 , our bank covenants allowed maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion , of which $94.6 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 were current as of May 31, 2015 .

Summary of Significant Accoun21

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of CHS and all of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies, including National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA) in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets	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 May 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-07, "Disclosures for Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Value per Share (or Its Equivalent)." The update provides guidance on the disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value (NAV) per share (or its equivalent). The amendments remove the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the NAV per share (or its equivalent) as a practical expedient. ASU No. 2015-07 is to be applied retrospectively and is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. We do not expect the standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2016. In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." ASU No. 2015-02 amended the process that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. ASU No. 2015-02 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2015, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2017. In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, "Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity." The amendments in this ASU do not change the current criteria in GAAP for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. The amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. The ASU applies to all entities that are issuers of, or investors in, hybrid financial instruments that are issued in the form of a share and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-16 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2016. 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, although the FASB has issued an exposure draft proposing to delay the effective date by one year (though early adoption would be allowed). The guidance permits the use of either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We have not yet selected a transition method and we are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Receivables (Tables)

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 2,049,338 $ 2,153,929 CHS Capital notes receivable 754,091 633,475 Other 376,949 304,798 3,180,378 3,092,202 Less allowances and reserves 106,647 103,639 Total receivables $ 3,073,731 $ 2,988,563

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current	May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Grain and oilseed $ 1,288,769 $ 961,327 Energy 864,370 875,719 Crop nutrients 298,933 374,023 Feed and farm supplies 582,900 448,454 Processed grain and oilseed 73,381 84,498 Other 10,485 16,232 Total inventories $ 3,118,838 $ 2,760,253

Goodwill and Intangibles (Table

Goodwill and Intangibles (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]	Energy Ag Corporate Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2014 $ 552 $ 151,246 $ 6,898 $ 158,696 Goodwill acquired during the period — 1,213 — 1,213 Effect of foreign currency translation adjustments — (3,459 ) — (3,459 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 $ 552 $ 149,000 $ 6,898 $ 156,450
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense	(Dollars in thousands) Year 1 $ 7,195 Year 2 5,996 Year 3 4,712 Year 4 3,767 Year 5 3,543
Schedule of Intangible Assets and Goodwill [Table Text Block]	May 31, August 31, Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net Carrying Amount Accumulated Amortization Net (Dollars in thousands) Customer lists $ 71,244 $ (29,658 ) $ 41,586 $ 69,862 $ (26,114 ) $ 43,748 Trademarks and other intangible assets 42,409 (31,482 ) 10,927 41,293 (29,587 ) 11,706 Total intangible assets $ 113,653 $ (61,140 ) $ 52,513 $ 111,155 $ (55,701 ) $ 55,454

Notes Payable and Long-Term D25

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Notes payable $ 912,905 $ 840,699 CHS Capital notes payable 359,143 318,774 Total notes payable $ 1,272,048 $ 1,159,473
Schedule of Interest,Net	Interest, net for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest expense $ 24,365 $ 23,397 $ 64,975 $ 57,823 Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interests 4,844 23,862 23,772 56,258 Capitalized interest (17,104 ) (2,641 ) (41,715 ) (6,503 ) Interest income (2,548 ) (2,129 ) (7,384 ) (5,315 ) Interest, net $ 9,557 $ 42,489 $ 39,648 $ 102,263 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 Statement of Operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2014. See Note 12, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information.

Equities (Tables)

Equities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
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, are as follows for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 : 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, 2014 $ (151,852 ) $ 4,398 $ (2,722 ) $ (6,581 ) $ (156,757 ) Current period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 236 570 (2,418 ) (12,295 ) (13,907 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 10,026 — 371 — 10,397 Net other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 10,262 570 (2,047 ) (12,295 ) (3,510 ) Balance as of May 31, 2015 $ (141,590 ) $ 4,968 $ (4,769 ) $ (18,876 ) $ (160,267 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were primarily related to pension and other postretirement benefits 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 10, Benefit Plans .
Schedule of Stockholders Equity [Table Text Block]	Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2015 are as follows:

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net B

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Schedule of Net Periodic Benefit Costs [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs of Assumptions Used [Table Text Block]	Qualified Pension Benefits Non-Qualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2015 2014 2015 2014 2015 2014 Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three months ended May 31 are as follows: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 8,889 $ 7,543 $ 206 $ 219 $ 188 $ 339 Interest cost 7,003 7,495 357 423 288 418 Expected return on assets (12,431 ) (11,910 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 407 398 57 57 (30 ) (30 ) Actuarial (gain) loss amortization 4,916 4,566 272 250 (342 ) (228 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 8,784 $ 8,092 $ 892 $ 949 $ 104 $ 499 Components of net periodic benefit costs for the nine months ended May 31 are as follows: Service cost $ 27,005 $ 22,812 $ 656 $ 646 $ 1,134 $ 1,297 Interest cost 21,019 22,433 1,061 1,245 1,118 1,439 Expected return on assets (37,305 ) (35,726 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 1,223 1,195 171 171 (90 ) (90 ) Actuarial (gain) loss amortization 14,724 13,655 794 718 (553 ) (415 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 26,666 $ 24,369 $ 2,682 $ 2,780 $ 1,609 $ 2,231

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Segment information for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 is as follows: Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2015: (Dollars in thousands) Revenues $ 1,732,192 $ 7,088,072 $ 17,750 $ (97,109 ) $ 8,740,905 Cost of goods sold 1,618,937 6,908,435 (14 ) (97,109 ) 8,430,249 Gross profit 113,255 179,637 17,764 — 310,656 Marketing, general and administrative 37,956 111,438 15,947 — 165,341 Operating earnings (losses) 75,299 68,199 1,817 — 145,315 (Gain) loss on investments — — — — — Interest, net (7,678 ) 14,478 2,757 — 9,557 Equity (income) loss from investments (364 ) (7,964 ) (26,422 ) — (34,750 ) Income before income taxes $ 83,341 $ 61,685 $ 25,482 $ — $ 170,508 Intersegment revenues $ (94,092 ) $ (3,017 ) $ — $ 97,109 $ — Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Three Months Ended May 31, 2014: Revenues $ 2,862,239 $ 9,236,768 $ 18,195 $ (149,804 ) $ 11,967,398 Cost of goods sold 2,603,480 9,007,141 (43 ) (149,804 ) 11,460,774 Gross profit 258,759 229,627 18,238 — 506,624 Marketing, general and administrative 37,915 102,224 18,720 — 158,859 Operating earnings (losses) 220,844 127,403 (482 ) — 347,765 (Gain) loss on investments — — (108,792 ) — (108,792 ) Interest, net 23,952 15,449 3,088 — 42,489 Equity (income) loss from investments (780 ) (5,216 ) (19,526 ) — (25,522 ) Income before income taxes $ 197,672 $ 117,170 $ 124,748 $ — $ 439,590 Intersegment revenues $ (141,501 ) $ (8,303 ) $ — $ 149,804 $ — Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015: Revenues $ 6,697,942 $ 20,231,391 $ 53,546 $ (386,778 ) $ 26,596,101 Cost of goods sold 6,217,789 19,619,374 (26 ) (386,778 ) 25,450,359 Gross profit 480,153 612,017 53,572 — 1,145,742 Marketing, general and administrative 118,082 321,986 58,016 — 498,084 Operating earnings (losses) 362,071 290,031 (4,444 ) — 647,658 (Gain) loss on investments — (2,875 ) (2,199 ) — (5,074 ) Interest, net (11,121 ) 43,284 7,485 — 39,648 Equity (income) loss from investments (1,440 ) (12,427 ) (69,681 ) — (83,548 ) Income before income taxes $ 374,632 $ 262,049 $ 59,951 $ — $ 696,632 Intersegment revenues $ (374,612 ) $ (12,166 ) $ — $ 386,778 $ — Capital expenditures $ 467,700 $ 305,136 $ 54,392 $ — $ 827,228 Depreciation and amortization $ 104,984 $ 112,252 $ 10,087 $ — $ 227,323 Total assets at May 31, 2015 $ 4,600,786 $ 8,033,290 $ 3,085,183 $ — $ 15,719,259 Energy Ag Corporate Reconciling Total For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2014: Revenues $ 9,064,748 $ 24,001,467 $ 52,403 $ (444,825 ) $ 32,673,793 Cost of goods sold 8,351,509 23,418,189 (54 ) (444,825 ) 31,324,819 Gross profit 713,239 583,278 52,457 — 1,348,974 Marketing, general and administrative 108,012 288,992 50,767 — 447,771 Operating earnings (losses) 605,227 294,286 1,690 — 901,203 (Gain) loss on investments — 116 (111,517 ) — (111,401 ) Interest, net 54,974 39,736 7,553 — 102,263 Equity (income) loss from investments (2,937 ) (19,906 ) (66,406 ) — (89,249 ) Income before income taxes $ 553,190 $ 274,340 $ 172,060 $ — $ 999,590 Intersegment revenues $ (436,522 ) $ (8,303 ) $ — $ 444,825 $ — Capital expenditures $ 367,044 $ 250,607 $ 38,637 $ — $ 656,288 Depreciation and amortization $ 99,546 $ 85,315 $ 8,300 $ — $ 193,161 Total assets at May 31, 2014 $ 4,203,832 $ 7,370,032 $ 3,371,083 $ — $ 14,944,947

Derivative Financial Instrume29

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Financial Insturments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]	Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. 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, 2015 and 2014 . We have revised the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. Although such gains and losses have been and continue to be appropriately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the previous disclosures did not accurately reflect the derivative gains and losses in each period. These revisions did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements. For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity and freight derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 113,554 $ 28,051 $ 327,745 $ 178,278 Foreign exchange derivatives Cost of goods sold 4,211 (6,487 ) 12,401 (6,681 ) Interest rate derivatives Interest, net 10 24 84 75 Total $ 117,775 $ 21,588 $ 340,230 $ 171,672
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Purchase and Sales Contracts [Table Text Block]	all outstanding commodity and freight contracts accounted for as derivative instruments. We have made revisions to the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. We previously disclosed volume information for physically-settled forward purchase and sale contracts, including some contracts not accounted for as derivatives. As a result, we have corrected the derivative volume disclosure presented below to include information on the notional amounts for contracts accounted for as derivatives in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging . These revisions did not materially impact our previously issued consolidated financial statements. May 31, 2015 August 31, 2014 Long Short Long Short (Units in thousands) Grain and oilseed - bushels 614,214 819,346 655,799 802,479 Energy products - barrels 21,777 15,569 20,191 16,431 Processed grain and oilseed- tons 906 3,939 749 3,047 Crop nutrients - tons 84 191 59 126 Ocean and barge freight - metric tons 5,643 1,829 5,727 4,250 Rail freight - rail cars 354 175 364 186 Livestock - pounds 13,800 35,680 11,960 46,520
Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements [Table Text Block]	August 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 $ 597,210 $ — $ 42,229 $ 554,981 Foreign exchange derivatives 2,523 — 1,174 1,349 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 4,200 — — 4,200 Total $ 603,933 $ — $ 43,403 $ 560,530 Derivative Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 597,612 $ 2,504 $ 42,229 $ 552,879 Foreign exchange derivatives 2,248 — 1,174 1,074 Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge 130 — — 130 Total $ 599,990 $ 2,504 $ 43,403 $ 554,083 May 31, 2015 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 $ 573,592 $ — $ 79,969 $ 493,623 Foreign exchange derivatives 16,783 — 7,156 9,627 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 14,649 — — 14,649 Total $ 605,024 $ — $ 87,125 $ 517,899 Derivative Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 500,137 $ 16,829 $ 79,969 $ 403,339 Foreign exchange derivatives 22,887 — 7,156 15,731 Interest rate derivatives - hedge 6,064 — — 6,064 Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge 84 — — 84 Total $ 529,172 $ 16,829 $ 87,125 $ 425,218
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]	The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 . For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate derivatives $ 389 $ — $ (3,907 ) $ (10,580 ) The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 . For the Three Months Ended May 31, For the Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2015 2014 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate derivatives Interest income (expense) $ (197 ) $ (210 ) $ (598 ) $ 12,933
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Consolidated Statements of Operations	During the nine months ended May 31, 2015 , we recorded offsetting fair value adjustments of $8.3 million , with no ineffectiveness recorded in earnings.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]	May 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets: Readily marketable inventories $ — $ 1,227,368 $ — $ 1,227,368 Commodity and freight derivatives 72,412 501,180 — 573,592 Foreign currency derivatives — 16,783 — 16,783 Interest rate swap derivatives — 14,649 — 14,649 Deferred compensation assets 75,723 — — 75,723 Other assets 11,150 — — 11,150 Total $ 159,285 $ 1,759,980 $ — $ 1,919,265 Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 131,312 $ 368,825 $ — $ 500,137 Interest rate swap derivatives — 6,148 — 6,148 Foreign currency derivatives — 22,887 — 22,887 Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — — 109,220 109,220 Total $ 131,312 $ 397,860 $ 109,220 $ 638,392 August 31, 2014 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Total (Dollars in thousands) Assets: Readily marketable inventories $ — $ 921,554 $ — $ 921,554 Commodity and freight derivatives 78,590 518,620 — 597,210 Interest rate swap derivatives — 4,200 — 4,200 Foreign currency derivatives 2,523 — — 2,523 Deferred compensation assets 83,217 — — 83,217 Other assets 8,778 — — 8,778 Total $ 173,108 $ 1,444,374 $ — $ 1,617,482 Liabilities: Commodity and freight derivatives $ 117,690 $ 479,922 $ — $ 597,612 Interest rate swap derivatives — 130 — 130 Foreign currency derivatives 2,248 — — 2,248 Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — — 114,917 114,917 Total $ 119,938 $ 480,052 $ 114,917 $ 714,907
Fair Value Inputs, Liabilities, Quantitative Information	Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Range Item May 31, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) Valuation Technique Unobservable Input (Weighted Average) Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests $109,220 Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model Forward crack spread margin on May 31, 2015 (a) $20.27-$25.30 ($24.16) Contractual target crack spread margin (b) $17.50 Expected volatility (c) 157.34% Risk-free interest rate (d) 0.09-0.94% (0.54%) Expected life - years (e) 0.25-2.25 (a) Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates (b) Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties (c) Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data (d) Represents yield curves for U.S. Treasury securities (e) Represents the range in the number of years remaining related to each contingent payment
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation	The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended May 31, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Level 3 Liabilities Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Balances, February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 121,070 $ 140,631 Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold (11,850 ) (10,472 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 109,220 $ 130,159 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, 2015 and 2014 , respectively: Level 3 Liabilities Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests 2015 2014 (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively $ 114,917 $ 134,134 Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold (5,697 ) (3,975 ) Balances, May 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively $ 109,220 $ 130,159

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligations Disclosure [Table Text Block]	As of May 31, 2015 , minimum future payments required under long-term commitments that are noncancelable, and that third parties have used to secure financing for the facilities that will provide the contracted goods, are as follows: Payments Due by Period Total Less than 1 - 3 3 - 5 More than (Dollars in thousands) Long-term unconditional purchase obligations $ 912,183 $ 79,751 $ 129,020 $ 114,110 $ 589,302

Summary of Significant Accoun32

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015USD ($)Refineries	May. 31, 2015USD ($)Refineries	May. 31, 2014USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Number of Refineries | Refineries	2	2
Expenditures for Major Repairs		$ 145,550	$ 0
Capitalized Maintenance Expense, Deferred During the Period	$ 137,300	$ 145,600	$ 0
Minimum [Member] | Major Maintenance Activities Requiring Shutdown [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		2 years
Maximum [Member] | Major Maintenance Activities Requiring Shutdown [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life		4 years

Receivables - Schedule of Recei

Receivables - Schedule of Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 2,049,338	$ 2,153,929
CHS Capital notes receivable	754,091	633,475
Other	376,949	304,798
Receivables, gross	3,180,378	3,092,202
Less allowances and reserves	106,647	103,639
Receivables, net	$ 3,073,731	$ 2,988,563

Receivables - Narrative (Detail

Receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	$ 157.1	$ 159.7
Percentage of commercial notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	45.00%	46.00%
Percentage of producer notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	55.00%	54.00%
Interest Income Accrual Term, Discontinued	90 days
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$ 1,000
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 Receivable, Short-Term
Notes and Loans Receivable, Non Current, Net, Term	10 years

Inventories - Schedule of Inven

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Grain and Oilseed	$ 1,288,769	$ 961,327
Energy	864,370	875,719
Crop nutrients	298,933	374,023
Feed and farm supplies	582,900	448,454
Processed grain and oilseed	73,381	84,498
Other	10,485	16,232
Inventories	$ 3,118,838	$ 2,760,253

Inventories - Narrative (Detail

Inventories - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Percentage of LIFO inventory	18.00%	16.00%
LIFO inventory, difference amount had FIFO inventory valuation method been used	$ 194.9	$ 538.7

Investments - Narrative (Detail

Investments - Narrative (Details) - Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest		$ (65,981)	$ (65,981)
Payments to Acquire Other Investments	$ 315,000	(170,000)	0
Time Deposits		170,000
Increase (Decrease) in Time Deposits		(145,000)
Ardent Mills [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments redeemed				$ 121,200
Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Additional Cash Contribution				32,800
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments				$ 109,200
Ardent Mills LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments		195,200
Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments		341,500
Equity value exceeding carrying value		12,900
TEMCO, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments		$ 60,000
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage		88.90%		84.00%
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest		$ (66,000)	(66,000)
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest		$ 109,220
Cargill, Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership of joint venture partner		50.00%
Crack Spread Contingent Payment [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Business, Contingent Consideration Paid			$ 16,500
Corporate and Other | Ardent Mills [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		12.00%
Corporate and Other | Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		50.00%
Ag Business [Member] | TEMCO, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage		50.00%

Property, Plant and Equipment38

Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		17 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment	$ 4,648,282		$ 4,648,282		$ 4,648,282	$ 4,031,023
Depreciation	$ 75,800	$ 62,400	219,000	$ 182,500
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Additions			540,500
Spiritwood [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Total construction cost, estimate			$ 3,000,000
Spiritwood [Member] | Asset under Construction [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment					$ 74,400

Goodwill and Intangibles (Detai

Goodwill and Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 156,450	$ 158,696
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Next Twelve Months	7,195
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Two	5,996
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Three	4,712
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Four	3,767
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Amortization Expense, Year Five	$ 3,543

Goodwill and Intangibles Goodwi

Goodwill and Intangibles Goodwill by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 156,450	$ 158,696
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,213
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(3,459)
Energy [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	552	552
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	0
Ag [Member]
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	149,000	151,246
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	1,213
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	(3,459)
Corporate and Other
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	6,898	$ 6,898
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	0
Goodwill, Translation Adjustments	$ 0

Goodwill and Intangibles Intang

Goodwill and Intangibles Intangibles (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 1,800	$ 2,400	$ 5,400	$ 7,300
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			2 years
Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			30 years
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	71,244		$ 71,244		$ 69,862
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(29,658)		(29,658)		(26,114)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	41,586		41,586		43,748
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	42,409		42,409		41,293
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(31,482)		(31,482)		(29,587)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	10,927		10,927		11,706
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross	113,653		113,653		111,155
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	(61,140)		(61,140)		(55,701)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net	$ 52,513		$ 52,513		$ 55,454

Notes Payable and Long-Term D42

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Footnote Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		$ 1,272,048,000	$ 1,159,473,000
CHS Capital notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		359,143,000	318,774,000
Notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable		912,905,000	$ 840,699,000
Five-Year Revolving Facilities [Member] | Line of Credit [Member] | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity		2,500,000,000
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gain on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring	$ 13,500,000

Notes Payable and Long-Term D43

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Interest, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Interest Expense	$ 24,365	$ 23,397	$ 64,975	$ 57,823
Interest-purchase of NCRA noncontrolling interest	4,844	23,862	23,772	56,258
Capitalized interest	(17,104)	(2,641)	(41,715)	(6,503)
Interest income	(2,548)	(2,129)	(7,384)	(5,315)
Interest Income (Expense), Net	$ 9,557	$ 42,489	$ 39,648	$ 102,263

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015USD ($)
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability	$ (30.7)

Equities Changes in Equity (Det

Equities Changes in Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		37 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2017	Jan. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			$ 385,096
Patronage distribution			(277,020)
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			(114,048)
Equities issued			989,728
Dividends, Preferred Stock			(105,223)
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders			(430)
Other, net			(4,380)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 177,835	$ 379,873	649,063	$ 883,522
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	178,050	379,455	649,567	881,710
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(215)	418	(504)	1,812
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,128	$ 6,198	(3,510)	$ (2,368)
Patronage Refunds, Estimated			(174,600)
Equity redemptions, estimate			(90,100)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	7,721,420		7,721,420					$ 6,466,844
Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			(276,966)
Patronage distribution			396,443
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			(113,484)
Equities issued			12,365
Other, net			(243)
Equity redemptions, estimate			(90,100)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	3,436,488		3,436,488					3,508,473
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Noncontrolling Interest, Decrease from Distributions to Noncontrolling Interest Holders			(430)
Other, net			(6,177)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests			(504)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	11,225		11,225					18,336
Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			0
Patronage distribution			0
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			(131)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	23,125		23,125					23,256
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			(148,579)
Patronage distribution			147,715
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			(453)
Other, net			(606)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	282,776		282,776					284,699
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			0
Patronage distribution			0
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			0
Equities issued			977,363
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	2,167,540		2,167,540					1,190,177
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			0
Patronage distribution			0
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(3,510)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(160,267)		(160,267)					(156,757)
Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates			810,641
Patronage distribution			(821,178)
Equity Certificates Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value			$ 20
Equities issued
Dividends, Preferred Stock			$ (105,223)
Other, net			2,646
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.			649,567
Patronage Refunds, Estimated			(174,600)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	$ 1,960,533		1,960,533					$ 1,598,660
Class B, Series 4 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount						$ 517,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs			$ 501,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			7.50%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued						20,700,000
Class B Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Value of Preferred Stock available to be sold under Shelf Registration					$ 2,000,000
Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount							$ 492,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs			$ 476,700
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage			6.75%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued							19,700,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage			4.155%
Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage			8.00%

Equities Accumulated Other Comp

Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (160,267)		$ (160,267)		$ (156,757)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax	2,128	$ 6,198	(3,510)	$ (2,368)
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(141,590)		(141,590)		(151,852)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			236
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			10,026
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			10,262
Accumulated Net Unrealized Investment Gain (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	4,968		4,968		4,398
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			570
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			570
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(4,769)		(4,769)		(2,722)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(2,418)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			371
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(2,047)
Accumulated Translation Adjustment [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	$ (18,876)		(18,876)		$ (6,581)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(12,295)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			(12,295)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, Net of Tax			(13,907)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax			10,397
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax			$ (3,510)

Equities Reclassification Adjus

Equities Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2014USD ($)
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	$ 13.5

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Be

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Qualified Pension Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service costs	$ 8,889	$ 7,543	$ 27,005	$ 22,812
Interest costs	7,003	7,495	21,019	22,433
Expected return on assets	(12,431)	(11,910)	(37,305)	(35,726)
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	407	398	1,223	1,195
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	4,916	4,566	14,724	13,655
Periodic benefit costs, net	8,784	8,092	26,666	24,369
Defined Benefit Plan, Contributions by Employer			29,100
Non-Qualified Pension Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service costs	206	219	656	646
Interest costs	357	423	1,061	1,245
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	57	57	171	171
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	272	250	794	718
Periodic benefit costs, net	892	949	2,682	2,780
Other Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service costs	188	339	1,134	1,297
Interest costs	288	418	1,118	1,439
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	(30)	(30)	(90)	(90)
Actuarial loss (gain) amortization	(342)	(228)	(553)	(415)
Periodic benefit costs, net	$ 104	$ 499	$ 1,609	$ 2,231

Segment Reporting - Narrative (

Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	May. 31, 2015
Ag | 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 Inf

Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 8,740,905	$ 11,967,398	$ 26,596,101	$ 32,673,793
Cost of goods sold	8,430,249	11,460,774	25,450,359	31,324,819
Gross profit	310,656	506,624	1,145,742	1,348,974
Marketing, general and administrative	165,341	158,859	498,084	447,771
Operating earnings	145,315	347,765	647,658	901,203
Loss (gain) on investments	0	(108,792)	(5,074)	(111,401)
Interest, net	9,557	42,489	39,648	102,263
Equity (income) loss from investments	(34,750)	(25,522)	(83,548)	(89,249)
Income before income taxes	170,508	439,590	696,632	999,590
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			827,228	656,288
Depreciation and amortization			227,323	193,161
Total assets	15,719,259	14,944,947	15,719,259	14,944,947	$ 15,146,979
Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,732,192	2,862,239	6,697,942	9,064,748
Cost of goods sold	1,618,937	2,603,480	6,217,789	8,351,509
Gross profit	113,255	258,759	480,153	713,239
Marketing, general and administrative	37,956	37,915	118,082	108,012
Operating earnings	75,299	220,844	362,071	605,227
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	0	0
Interest, net	(7,678)	23,952	(11,121)	54,974
Equity (income) loss from investments	(364)	(780)	(1,440)	(2,937)
Income before income taxes	83,341	197,672	374,632	553,190
Intersegment revenues	(94,092)	(141,501)	(374,612)	(436,522)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			467,700	367,044
Depreciation and amortization			104,984	99,546
Total assets	4,600,786	4,203,832	4,600,786	4,203,832
Ag [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	7,088,072	9,236,768	20,231,391	24,001,467
Cost of goods sold	6,908,435	9,007,141	19,619,374	23,418,189
Gross profit	179,637	229,627	612,017	583,278
Marketing, general and administrative	111,438	102,224	321,986	288,992
Operating earnings	68,199	127,403	290,031	294,286
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	(2,875)	116
Interest, net	14,478	15,449	43,284	39,736
Equity (income) loss from investments	(7,964)	(5,216)	(12,427)	(19,906)
Income before income taxes	61,685	117,170	262,049	274,340
Intersegment revenues	(3,017)	(8,303)	(12,166)	(8,303)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			305,136	250,607
Depreciation and amortization			112,252	85,315
Total assets	8,033,290	7,370,032	8,033,290	7,370,032
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	17,750	18,195	53,546	52,403
Cost of goods sold	(14)	(43)	(26)	(54)
Gross profit	17,764	18,238	53,572	52,457
Marketing, general and administrative	15,947	18,720	58,016	50,767
Operating earnings	1,817	(482)	(4,444)	1,690
Loss (gain) on investments	0	(108,792)	(2,199)	(111,517)
Interest, net	2,757	3,088	7,485	7,553
Equity (income) loss from investments	(26,422)	(19,526)	(69,681)	(66,406)
Income before income taxes	25,482	124,748	59,951	172,060
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			54,392	38,637
Depreciation and amortization			10,087	8,300
Total assets	3,085,183	3,371,083	3,085,183	3,371,083
Reconciling Amounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(97,109)	(149,804)	(386,778)	(444,825)
Cost of goods sold	(97,109)	(149,804)	(386,778)	(444,825)
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
Intersegment revenues	97,109	149,804	386,778	444,825
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Depreciation and amortization			0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Derivative Financial Instrume51

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - Forward Contracts [Member] t in Thousands, rail_car in Thousands, lb in Thousands, T in Thousands, Bushels in Thousands, Barrels in Thousands	May. 31, 2015Trail_cartBushelslbBarrels	Aug. 31, 2014Trail_cartBushelslbBarrels
Grain and oilseed - bushels | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | Bushels	614,214	655,799
Grain and oilseed - bushels | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | Bushels	819,346	802,479
Energy products - barrels | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | Barrels	21,777	20,191
Energy products - barrels | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | Barrels	15,569	16,431
Processed grain and oilseed - tons | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	906	749
Processed grain and oilseed - tons | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	3,939	3,047
Crop nutrients - tons | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	84	59
Crop nutrients - tons | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	191	126
Ocean and barge freight - tons | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | t	5,643	5,727
Ocean and barge freight - tons | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | t	1,829	4,250
Rail freight - rail cars | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | rail_car	354	364
Rail freight - rail cars | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | rail_car	175	186
Livestock - pounds | Long [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | lb	13,800	11,960
Livestock - pounds | Short [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount | lb	35,680	46,520

Derivative Financial Instrume52

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivatives (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	$ 517,899,000		$ 560,530,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	605,024,000		603,933,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	87,125,000		43,403,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	425,218,000		554,083,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	529,172,000		599,990,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	16,829,000		2,504,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	87,125,000		43,403,000
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	493,623,000		554,981,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	573,592,000		597,210,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	79,969,000		42,229,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	403,339,000		552,879,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	500,137,000		597,612,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	16,829,000		2,504,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	79,969,000		42,229,000
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	9,627,000		1,349,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	16,783,000		2,523,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	7,156,000		1,174,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	15,731,000		1,074,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	22,887,000		2,248,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	7,156,000		1,174,000
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	14,649,000		4,200,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Asset	14,649,000		4,200,000
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	6,064,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	6,064,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	84,000		130,000
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Liability	84,000		130,000
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	0		0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Designated or Qualifying Cash Flow Hedges [Member] | Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [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
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	912,400,000		$ 784,400,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Fair Value of Hedged Item in Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge	8,300,000
Fair Value Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	420,000,000
Cash Flow Hedging [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	300,000,000
Interest Rate Contracts, Expiring At Various Times Through Fiscal 2018 [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	3,400,000
Interest Rate Contracts, Expiring During Fiscal 2015 [Member] | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount	100,000
Interest Rate Contracts, Expiring during Fiscal 2016 [Member] | Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Purchase and Sales Contracts [Line Items]
Interest Rate Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified During Next 12 Months, Net	$ 0

Derivative Financial Instrume53

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 ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Line Items]
Interest rate derivatives	$ 389	$ 0	$ (3,907)	$ (10,580)

Derivative Financial Instrume54

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 ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 117,775	$ 21,588	$ 340,230	$ 171,672
Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member] | Cost of goods sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	113,554	28,051	327,745	178,278
Foreign Exchange Contract [Member] | Cost of goods sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	4,211	(6,487)	12,401	(6,681)
Interest rate derivatives | Interest, net
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 10	$ 24	$ 84	$ 75

Derivative Financial Instrume55

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Pretax Gains losses reclassified from OCI (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Interest, net
Reclassification Adjustment out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on Derivatives [Line Items]
Interest rate derivatives	$ (197)	$ (210)	$ (598)	$ 12,933

Fair Value Measurements Recurri

Fair Value Measurements Recurring Fair Value Measurements by Level (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,227,368	$ 921,554
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	11,150	8,778
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,919,265	1,617,482
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	638,392	714,907
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	11,150	8,778
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	159,285	173,108
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	131,312	119,938
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	1,227,368	921,554
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	1,759,980	1,444,374
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	397,860	480,052
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 109,220	$ 114,917

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 1,227,368	$ 921,554
Deferred Compensation Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	75,723	83,217
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	11,150	8,778
Total assets	1,919,265	1,617,482
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	22,887	2,248
Total liabilities	638,392	714,907
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	16,783	2,523
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	573,592	597,210
Derivative Liability	500,137	597,612
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	14,649	4,200
Derivative Liability	6,148	130
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
Deferred Compensation Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	75,723	83,217
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	11,150	8,778
Total assets	159,285	173,108
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	2,248
Total liabilities	131,312	119,938
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	2,523
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	72,412	78,590
Derivative Liability	131,312	117,690
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
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	1,227,368	921,554
Deferred Compensation Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Total assets	1,759,980	1,444,374
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	22,887	0
Total liabilities	397,860	480,052
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	16,783	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	501,180	518,620
Derivative Liability	368,825	479,922
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	14,649	4,200
Derivative Liability	6,148	130
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Inventory, Current, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Deferred Compensation Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Foreign Currency Contracts, Liability, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Total liabilities	109,220	114,917
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Foreign Exchange Contract [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign Currency Contract, Asset, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Commodity and Freight Derivatives [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
NCRA [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [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		114,917
NCRA [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
NCRA [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
NCRA [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [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	109,220	$ 114,917
National Cooperative Refinery Association [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	$ 109,220

Fair Value Measurements - Quant

Fair Value Measurements - Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements (Details) - May. 31, 2015 - National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member] - Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] - USD ($)		Total
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interest		$ 109,220,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Contractual target crack spread margin (in dollars per share)	[1]	$ 17.50
Expected volatility	[2]	157.34%
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests | Minimum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward crack spread margin	[3]	$ 20.70
Own credit risk	[4]	0.09%
Expected life (years)	[5]	3 months
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests | Maximum [Member]
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward crack spread margin	[3]	$ 25.30
Own credit risk	[4]	0.94%
Expected life (years)	[5]	2 years 3 months
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontroling interests | Average
Fair Value Inputs, Assets, Quantitative Information [Line Items]
Forward crack spread margin	[3]	$ 24.16
Own credit risk	[4]	0.54%
Expected life (years)	[5]	1 year 4 months 25 days
[1]	Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties
[2]	Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data
[3]	Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates
[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 - Fai59

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 ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014	May. 31, 2015	May. 31, 2014
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Balance	$ 121,070	$ 140,631	$ 114,917	$ 134,134
Balance	109,220	130,159	109,220	130,159
Cost of Goods, Total
Fair Value, Assets Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Total gains or losses included in cost of goods sold and net interest	$ (11,850)	$ (10,472)	$ (5,697)	$ (3,975)

Commitments and Contingencies U

Commitments and Contingencies Unconditional Purchase Obligations (Details) - Minimum [Member] $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015USD ($)
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation [Line Items]
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation	$ 912,183
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Discounted	729,900
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due in Next Twelve Months	79,751
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Two to Three Years	129,020
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due Within Four to Five Years	114,110
Unrecorded Unconditional Purchase Obligation, Long-Term, Due after Five Years	$ 589,302

Commitments and Contingencies G

Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees (Details) $ in Millions	May. 31, 2015USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 1,000
Guarantor Obligations, Current Exposure, Unrecorded	$ 94.6