CHS (CHSCN) 10-Q7 Jul 202020 Q3 Quarterly reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	May 31, 2020	Jul. 07, 2020
DEI [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	CHS Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000823277
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--08-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	May 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		0

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Un

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 408,115	$ 211,179
Receivables	2,574,207	2,731,209
Inventories	2,818,758	2,854,288
Other current assets	1,258,553	865,919
Total current assets	7,059,633	6,662,595
Investments	3,666,959	3,683,996
Property, plant and equipment	4,999,082	5,088,708
Other assets	1,101,550	1,012,195
Total assets	16,827,224	16,447,494
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	2,215,583	2,156,108
Current portion of long-term debt	28,200	39,210
Accounts payable	1,751,354	1,931,415
Accrued expenses	566,258	555,323
Other current liabilities	1,061,487	901,651
Total current liabilities	5,622,882	5,583,707
Long-term debt	1,764,367	1,749,901
Other liabilities	659,689	496,356
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Equities:
Preferred stock	2,264,038	2,264,038
Equity certificates	4,896,148	4,988,877
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(241,165)	(226,933)
Capital reserves	1,852,826	1,584,158
Total CHS Inc. equities	8,771,847	8,610,140
Noncontrolling interests	8,439	7,390
Total equities	8,780,286	8,617,530
Total liabilities and equities	$ 16,827,224	$ 16,447,494

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 7,241,031	$ 8,497,941	$ 21,460,742	$ 23,465,769
Cost of goods sold	7,022,672	8,274,170	20,601,785	22,343,944
Gross profit	218,359	223,771	858,957	1,121,825
Marketing, general and administrative expenses	180,439	217,527	548,340	551,438
Operating earnings (loss)	37,920	6,244	310,617	570,387
Interest Expense	26,661	42,773	95,043	122,950
Other (income) loss	(8,076)	(32,938)	(32,926)	(69,835)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(51,114)	(65,170)	(135,174)	(173,394)
Income (loss) before income taxes	70,449	61,579	383,674	690,666
Income tax expense (benefit)	(27,052)	6,866	(18,258)	40,534
Net income (loss)	97,501	54,713	401,932	650,132
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	93	955	(758)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 97,648	$ 54,620	$ 400,977	$ 650,890

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Net income (loss)	$ 97,501	$ 54,713	$ 401,932	$ 650,132
Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Postretirement benefit plan activity, net of tax expense (benefit)	3,490	1,496	12,309	5,599
Cash flow hedges, net of tax expense (benefit)	6,817	(15,817)	(4,867)	(7,155)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)	(12,316)	(7,992)	(21,674)	(5,484)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,009)	(22,313)	(14,232)	(7,040)
Comprehensive income (loss)	95,492	32,400	387,700	643,092
Less comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	93	955	(758)
Comprehensive Income (Loss) Attributable to CHS	$ 95,639	$ 32,307	$ 386,745	$ 643,850

Consolidated Statement of Cash

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 401,932	$ 650,132
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	408,613	401,798
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions	1,339	(39,674)
Provision for doubtful accounts	7,692	36,874
Deferred taxes	(11,811)	34,786
Other, net	67,625	(46,157)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	25,290	(446,846)
Inventories	(5,602)	(199,339)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(185,503)	174,855
Other liabilities	(183,732)	(436,518)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	525,843	129,911
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(316,506)	(278,589)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	28,257	46,414
Expenditures for major repairs	(10,414)	(210,837)
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net	219,173	(112,608)
Financing extended to customers	(5,139)	(10,492)
Payments from customer financing	21,341	84,189
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	119,421
Other investing activities, net	14,755	8,854
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(48,533)	(592,490)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings	19,841,762	20,715,683
Payments on lines of credit, long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations	(19,805,609)	(20,236,780)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(126,501)	(126,501)
Redemptions of equities	(86,272)	(76,397)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(90,112)	(75,669)
Other financing activities, net	(25,475)	(25,993)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(292,207)	174,343
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(786)	(382)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	184,317	(288,618)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	299,675	543,940
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$ 483,992	$ 255,322

Organization, Basis of Presenta

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation, Basis of Presentation, Business Description and Accounting Policies	Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the 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 the seasonal nature of our businesses, among other things. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by the requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended August 31, 2019 , included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Certain captions within the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows have been combined within other captions as allowed by SEC financial statement reporting requirements under Regulation S-X. Prior year information has been revised to conform with the current presentation. The recent outbreak and pandemic of the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19 and other factors resulted in substantial reductions in demand and sharp price declines in certain industries in which we operate during the third quarter of fiscal 2020, particularly with respect to the production of renewable fuels and other energy products. Based on these deteriorated macroeconomic and industry conditions, management considered the impacts on each of our businesses and determined that we needed to perform interim impairment assessments of goodwill and asset groups, as of April 30, 2020, for a reporting unit within our Ag segment that operates in the renewable fuels industry. Recent third-party price outlooks, projections of future volumes, expenses and other cash flows and a discount rate reflective of the relative risk of the cash flows were used to estimate fair value. Management believes the assumptions utilized in the assessment are appropriate and reasonable for estimating fair value. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeded the carrying amount by approximately 18% , and thus no impairment was recorded. Management will continue to monitor results and projected cash flows to assess whether any impairment may be necessary in the future. Significant Accounting Policies The following significant accounting policy was updated or changed since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019 . Leases As described in the "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" section, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases , as amended (collectively "Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842"), on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. Our accounting policies and additional disclosures with respect to ASC Topic 842 are included in Note 14, Leases . Recent Accounting Pronouncements Except for the recent accounting pronouncements described below, other recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Adopted We adopted ASC Topic 842 as of September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we used the additional optional transition method and package of practical expedients in the period of adoption without retrospective adjustment to previous periods presented, although we elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient available under the standard. As a result of using the modified retrospective method, prior periods have not been restated, and a $33.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition of previously deferred gains associated with the sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Additionally, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities of $268.4 million and $267.0 million , respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additional information and further disclosures related to our leases and lease-related financial statement amounts are included within Note 14, Leases. Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC Topic 326"): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . The amendments in this ASU introduce a new approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. This ASU is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses associated with most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Entities are required to apply the provisions of this ASU as a cumulative-effect adjustment to capital reserves as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2020, for our fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The impact of adoption will depend on the composition of our portfolio at the adoption date and we are currently finalizing our evaluation of the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements through various data-gathering activities, development of a credit loss model and accounting policy election determinations.

Revenues (Notes)

Revenues (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Revenues (Notes)	May 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenues	Revenues The following table presents revenues recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"), disaggregated by reportable segment, as well as the amount of revenues recognized under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC Topic 815"), and other applicable accounting guidance for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Other applicable accounting guidance primarily includes revenues recognized under ASC Topic 842, Leases , and ASC Topic 470, Debt , that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606. ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Energy $ 762,053 $ 128,866 $ — $ 890,919 Ag 2,026,588 4,290,627 20,686 6,337,901 Corporate and Other 6,027 — 6,184 12,211 Total revenues $ 2,794,668 $ 4,419,493 $ 26,870 $ 7,241,031 Three Months Ended May 31, 2019 Energy $ 1,544,533 $ 193,512 $ — $ 1,738,045 Ag 2,234,378 4,485,089 25,648 6,745,115 Corporate and Other 4,841 — 9,940 14,781 Total revenues $ 3,783,752 $ 4,678,601 $ 35,588 $ 8,497,941 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 Energy $ 3,831,806 $ 415,586 $ — $ 4,247,392 Ag 4,446,097 12,681,108 46,753 17,173,958 Corporate and Other 16,910 — 22,482 39,392 Total revenues $ 8,294,813 $ 13,096,694 $ 69,235 $ 21,460,742 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019 Energy $ 4,826,762 $ 547,348 $ — $ 5,374,110 Ag 4,574,203 13,375,276 95,578 18,045,057 Corporate and Other 14,818 — 31,784 46,602 Total revenues $ 9,415,783 $ 13,922,624 $ 127,362 $ 23,465,769 Less than 1% of revenues accounted for under ASC Topic 606 included within the table above are recorded over time; these revenues are primarily related to service contracts. Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities Contract assets relate to unbilled amounts arising from goods that have already been transferred to the customer where the right to payment is not conditional upon the passage of time. This results in recognition of an asset, as the amount of revenue recognized at a certain point in time exceeds the amount billed to the customer. Contract assets are recorded in receivables within our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets and were not material as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 . Contract liabilities relate to advance payments from customers for goods and services that we have yet to provide. Contract liabilities of $204.7 million and $207.5 million as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , respectively, are recorded within other current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , we recognized revenues of $50.5 million and $67.9 million , respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , we recognized revenues of $182.0 million and $148.9 million , respectively. These amounts were included in the other current liabilities balance at the beginning of the respective periods.

Receivables

Receivables	9 Months Ended
Receivables	May 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Receivables	Receivables May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 1,766,166 $ 1,803,284 CHS Capital short-term notes receivable 474,425 592,909 Other 524,975 511,821 Gross receivables 2,765,566 2,908,014 Less: allowances and reserves 191,359 176,805 Total receivables $ 2,574,207 $ 2,731,209 Receivables are composed of trade accounts receivable, short-term notes receivable in our wholly-owned subsidiary, CHS Capital, LLC ("CHS Capital"), and other receivables, less an allowance for doubtful accounts. Notes receivable from commercial borrowers are collateralized by various combinations of mortgages, personal property, accounts and notes receivable, inventories and assignments of capital stock from certain regional cooperatives. These loans are originated in various states, primarily in the Upper Midwest region of the United States, the most significant of which include North Dakota, Minnesota and Montana. CHS Capital also has loans receivable from producer borrowers that are collateralized by various combinations of growing crops, livestock, inventories, accounts receivable, personal property and supplemental mortgages and are originated in the same states as the commercial notes. In addition to the short-term balances included in the table above, CHS Capital had long-term notes receivable, with durations of generally not more than 10 years , totaling $93.6 million and $180.0 million as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , respectively. Long-term notes receivable are included in other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , the commercial notes represented 45% and 41% , respectively, and the producer notes represented 55% and 59% , respectively, of total CHS Capital notes receivable. CHS Capital has commitments to extend credit to customers if there are no violations of contractually established conditions. As of May 31, 2020 , CHS Capital customers had additional available credit of $762.2 million . No significant troubled debt restructuring activity occurred and no third-party customer or borrower accounted for more than 10% of the total receivables balance as of May 31, 2020 , or August 31, 2019 .

Inventories

Inventories	9 Months Ended
Inventories	May 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories	Inventories May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Grain and oilseed $ 1,021,535 $ 1,024,645 Energy 681,364 717,378 Agronomy 967,451 954,037 Processed grain and oilseed 108,115 109,900 Other 40,293 48,328 Total inventories $ 2,818,758 $ 2,854,288 As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , we valued approximately 16% of inventories, primarily crude oil and refined fuels within our Energy segment, using the lower of cost, determined on the LIFO method, or net realizable value. If the FIFO method of accounting had been used, inventories would have been lower than the reported amount by $79.0 million and higher than the reported amount by $ 215.0 million as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , respectively. Actual valuation of inventory under the LIFO method can be made only at the end of each year based on inventory levels and costs at that time. Interim LIFO calculations are based on management's estimates of expected year-end inventory levels and values and are subject to the final year-end LIFO inventory valuation. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we experienced price declines in our energy inventories associated with the novel corona virus COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, we recorded a noncash, lower of cost or market charge of $42.0 million in cost of goods sold to reduce the carrying value of our energy inventories to their market value at the end of the period. This charge may increase or decrease in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, based upon market prices observed at our fiscal year-end. Any adjustments that exist as of our fiscal year-end would be incorporated into the LIFO carrying value of the inventories.

Investments

Investments	9 Months Ended
Investments	May 31, 2020
Investments [Abstract]
Investments	Investments May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Equity method investments: CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC $ 2,724,668 $ 2,708,942 Ventura Foods, LLC 364,726 374,516 Ardent Mills, LLC 206,476 209,027 Other equity method investments 247,778 267,247 Other investments 123,311 124,264 Total investments $ 3,666,959 $ 3,683,996 Equity Method Investments Joint ventures and other investments, in which we have significant ownership and influence but not control, are accounted for in our condensed consolidated financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Our primary equity method investments are described below. In addition to recognition of our share of income from equity method investments, our equity method investments are evaluated for indicators of other-than-temporary impairment on an ongoing basis in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP"). Other investments consist primarily of investments in cooperatives without readily determinable fair values and are generally measured at cost, unless an impairment or other observable market price change occurs, requiring an adjustment. CF Nitrogen We have a $2.7 billion investment in CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC ("CF Nitrogen"), a strategic venture with CF Industries Holdings, Inc. ("CF Industries"). The investment consists of an approximate 10% membership interest (based on product tons) in CF Nitrogen. We account for this investment using the hypothetical liquidation at book value method, recognizing our share of the earnings and losses of CF Nitrogen based upon our contractual claims on the entity's net assets pursuant to the liquidation provisions of the CF Nitrogen Limited Liability Company Agreement, adjusted for the semi-annual cash distributions we receive as a result of our membership interest in CF Nitrogen. For the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , equity earnings were $41.3 million and $42.0 million , respectively. For the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , equity earnings were $104.0 million and $118.4 million , respectively. These amounts are included as equity income from investments in our Nitrogen Production segment. The following table provides summarized unaudited financial information for our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 Net sales $ 1,954,660 $ 2,219,267 Gross profit 481,711 560,631 Net earnings 452,859 536,409 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 104,021 118,415 Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills We have a 50% interest in Ventura Foods, LLC ("Ventura Foods"), which is a joint venture with Wilsey Foods, Inc., a majority-owned subsidiary of MK USA Holdings, Inc., that produces and distributes primarily vegetable-oil-based products. Additionally, we have a 12% interest in Ardent Mills, LLC ("Ardent Mills"), which is a joint venture with Cargill Incorporated and Conagra Brands, Inc., and combines the North American flour milling operations of the three parent companies. We account for Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills as equity method investments, and our share of the results of these equity methods investments are included in Corporate and Other. The following table provides aggregate summarized unaudited financial information for our equity method investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 Net sales $ 4,101,502 $ 4,427,127 Gross profit 686,045 391,338 Net earnings 134,774 152,315 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 29,770 50,415 Our investments in other equity method investees are not significant in relation to our condensed consolidated financial statements, either individually or in the aggregate.

Notes Payable and Long-Term Deb

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	9 Months Ended
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt	May 31, 2020
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, 2020 . The table below summarizes our notes payable as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 . May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Notes payable $ 1,573,594 $ 1,330,550 CHS Capital notes payable 641,989 825,558 Total notes payable $ 2,215,583 $ 2,156,108 As of May 31, 2020 , our primary line of credit was a five -year unsecured revolving credit facility with a syndicate of domestic and international banks. The credit facility provides a committed amount of $2.75 billion that expires on July 16, 2024. As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , the outstanding balance on this facility was $800.0 million and $335.0 million , respectively. Additionally, on September 30, 2019, CHS Capital entered into a credit agreement with a revolving note. Under this agreement, CHS Capital has available capacity of $100.0 million , of which no amount was outstanding as of May 31, 2020 . We have a receivables and loans securitization facility ("Securitization Facility") with certain unaffiliated financial institutions ("Purchasers"). Under the Securitization Facility, we and certain of our subsidiaries ("Originators") sell trade accounts and notes receivable ("Receivables") to Cofina Funding, LLC ("Cofina"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote indirect subsidiary of CHS. Cofina in turn transfers the Receivables to the Purchasers, and this arrangement is accounted for as a secured borrowing. We use the proceeds from the sale of Receivables under the Securitization Facility for general corporate purposes and settlements are made on a monthly basis. The Securitization Facility was amended on June 26, 2020, to extend its termination date to September 24, 2020, which may be further extended. On June 26, 2020, we also amended our repurchase facility ("Repurchase Facility") related to the Securitization Facility. Under the Repurchase Facility, we can borrow up to $150.0 million , collateralized by a subordinated note issued by Cofina in favor of the Originators and representing a portion of the outstanding balance of the Receivables sold by the Originators to Cofina under the Securitization Facility. As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , the outstanding balance under the Repurchase Facility was $150.0 million . Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , was $26.7 million and $42.8 million , respectively, net of capitalized interest of $2.7 million and $2.5 million , respectively. Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , was $95.0 million and $123.0 million , respectively, net of capitalized interest of $8.9 million and $7.1 million , respectively.

Equities

Equities	9 Months Ended
Equities	May 31, 2020
Equity [Abstract]
Equities	Equities Changes in Equities Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , are as follows: Equity Certificates Accumulated Capital Nonpatronage Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Capital Noncontrolling Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2019 $ 3,753,493 $ 29,074 $ 1,206,310 $ 2,264,038 $ (226,933 ) $ 1,584,158 $ 7,390 $ 8,617,530 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 5,447 — — — — — — 5,447 Redemptions of equities (4,721 ) (54 ) (672 ) — — — — (5,447 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (84,334 ) — (84,334 ) ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment — — — — — 33,707 — 33,707 Other, net (8 ) — (39 ) — — (1,312 ) 410 (949 ) Net income — — — — — 177,882 855 178,737 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (1,638 ) — — (1,638 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (28,504 ) — (28,504 ) Estimated 2020 equity redemptions (91,633 ) — — — — — — (91,633 ) Balances, November 30, 2019 $ 3,662,578 $ 29,020 $ 1,205,599 $ 2,264,038 $ (228,571 ) $ 1,681,597 $ 8,655 $ 8,622,916 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 3,387 — (472,398 ) — — 562,398 — 93,387 Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds — — 474,066 — — (564,096 ) — (90,030 ) Redemptions of equities (2,998 ) (20 ) (369 ) — — — — (3,387 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (42,167 ) — (42,167 ) Other, net (201 ) — 3 — — 10 (324 ) (512 ) Net income — — — — — 125,447 247 125,694 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (10,585 ) — — (10,585 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (22,206 ) — (22,206 ) Estimated 2020 equity redemptions (49,154 ) — — — — — — (49,154 ) Balances, February 29, 2020 $ 3,613,612 $ 29,000 $ 1,206,901 $ 2,264,038 $ (239,156 ) $ 1,740,983 $ 8,578 $ 8,623,956 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 67,438 — 10,000 — — — — 77,438 Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds — — 327 — — (409 ) — (82 ) Redemptions of equities (64,273 ) (91 ) (13,074 ) — — — — (77,438 ) Other, net (1,544 ) (7 ) (116 ) — — 1,053 8 (606 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 97,648 (147 ) 97,501 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (2,009 ) — — (2,009 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — 13,551 — 13,551 Estimated 2020 equity redemptions 47,975 — — — — — — 47,975 Balances, May 31, 2020 $ 3,663,208 $ 28,902 $ 1,204,038 $ 2,264,038 $ (241,165 ) $ 1,852,826 $ 8,439 $ 8,780,286 Equity Certificates Accumulated Capital Nonpatronage Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Capital Noncontrolling Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2018 $ 3,837,580 $ 29,498 $ 742,378 $ 2,264,038 $ (199,915 ) $ 1,482,003 $ 9,446 $ 8,165,028 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 24,072 — — — — — — 24,072 Redemptions of equities (22,004 ) (183 ) (1,885 ) — — — — (24,072 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (84,334 ) — (84,334 ) Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments — — — — (4,706 ) 4,706 — — Other, net (409 ) — (26 ) — — 3,436 318 3,319 Net income (loss) — — — — — 347,504 (389 ) 347,115 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — 389 — — 389 Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (89,344 ) — (89,344 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (50,081 ) — — — — — — (50,081 ) Balances, November 30, 2018 $ 3,789,158 $ 29,315 $ 740,467 $ 2,264,038 $ (204,232 ) $ 1,663,971 $ 9,375 $ 8,292,092 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 6,681 — (345,330 ) — — 420,330 — 81,681 Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds — — 349,353 — — (424,333 ) — (74,980 ) Redemptions of equities (5,988 ) (74 ) (619 ) — — — — (6,681 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (42,167 ) — (42,167 ) Other, net (774 ) — 2,589 — — (2,888 ) (581 ) (1,654 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 248,766 (462 ) 248,304 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — 14,884 — — 14,884 Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (69,400 ) — (69,400 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (39,850 ) — — — — — — (39,850 ) Balances, February 28, 2019 $ 3,749,227 $ 29,241 $ 746,460 $ 2,264,038 $ (189,348 ) $ 1,794,279 $ 8,332 $ 8,402,229 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 45,815 — — — — — — 45,815 Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds — — 3,212 — — (3,901 ) — (689 ) Redemptions of equities (34,798 ) (34 ) (10,812 ) — — — — (45,644 ) Other, net (1,285 ) — (3,722 ) — — 4,526 11 (470 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 54,620 93 54,713 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (22,313 ) — — (22,313 ) Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (15,494 ) — (15,494 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (6,438 ) — — — — — — (6,438 ) Balances, May 31, 2019 $ 3,752,521 $ 29,207 $ 735,138 $ 2,264,038 $ (211,661 ) $ 1,834,030 $ 8,436 $ 8,411,709 Preferred Stock Dividends The following is a summary of dividends per share by series of preferred stock for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Note that due to the timing of dividend declarations during the fiscal year, no declarations were made during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019. Nine Months Ended May 31, Nasdaq symbol 2020 2019 Series of preferred stock: (Dollars per share) 8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP $ 1.50 $ 1.50 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1 CHSCO 1.48 1.48 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2 CHSCN 1.33 1.33 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3 CHSCM 1.27 1.27 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4 CHSCL 1.41 1.41 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Changes in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) by component, net of tax, are as follows for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total (Dollars in thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2019, net of tax $ (172,478 ) $ 15,297 $ (69,752 ) $ (226,933 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (85 ) (3,331 ) (2,411 ) (5,827 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 (4,473 ) — 504 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,892 (7,804 ) (2,411 ) (5,323 ) Tax effect 181 1,932 1,572 3,685 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 5,073 (5,872 ) (839 ) (1,638 ) Balance as of November 30, 2019, net of tax $ (167,405 ) $ 9,425 $ (70,591 ) $ (228,571 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications — (5,975 ) (8,540 ) (14,515 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 (1,747 ) — 3,230 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,977 (7,722 ) (8,540 ) (11,285 ) Tax effect (1,231 ) 1,910 21 700 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,746 (5,812 ) (8,519 ) (10,585 ) Balance as of February 29, 2020, net of tax $ (163,659 ) $ 3,613 $ (79,110 ) $ (239,156 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (340 ) 7,795 (12,515 ) (5,060 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 1,263 — 6,240 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,637 9,058 (12,515 ) 1,180 Tax effect (1,147 ) (2,241 ) 199 (3,189 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,490 6,817 (12,316 ) (2,009 ) Balance as of May 31, 2020, net of tax $ (160,169 ) $ 10,430 $ (91,426 ) $ (241,165 ) 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, 2018, net of tax $ (140,335 ) $ 8,861 $ (5,882 ) $ (62,559 ) $ (199,915 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications 175 — (317 ) (25 ) (167 ) Amounts reclassified 2,565 — (1,475 ) — 1,090 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,740 — (1,792 ) (25 ) 923 Tax effect (639 ) — 485 (380 ) (534 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,101 — (1,307 ) (405 ) 389 Reclassifications 416 (8,861 ) 983 2,756 (4,706 ) Balance as of November 30, 2018, net of tax $ (137,818 ) $ — $ (6,206 ) $ (60,208 ) $ (204,232 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications 102 — 18,954 3,176 22,232 Amounts reclassified 2,564 — (5,677 ) — (3,113 ) Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,666 — 13,277 3,176 19,119 Tax effect (664 ) — (3,308 ) (263 ) (4,235 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 2,002 — 9,969 2,913 14,884 Balance as of February 28, 2019, net of tax $ (135,816 ) $ — $ 3,763 $ (57,295 ) $ (189,348 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (164 ) — (19,680 ) (7,725 ) (27,569 ) Amounts reclassified 2,564 — (1,385 ) — 1,179 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,400 — (21,065 ) (7,725 ) (26,390 ) Tax effect (904 ) — 5,248 (267 ) 4,077 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 1,496 — (15,817 ) (7,992 ) (22,313 ) Balance as of May 31, 2019, net of tax $ (134,320 ) $ — $ (12,054 ) $ (65,287 ) $ (211,661 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were related to pension and other postretirement benefits, cash flow hedges, available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation adjustments. Pension and other postretirement reclassifications include amortization of net actuarial loss, prior service credit and transition amounts and are recorded as cost of goods sold, marketing, general and administrative expenses, and other income (see Note 8, Benefit Plans, for further information). Gains or losses associated with cash flow hedges are recorded as cost of goods sold (see Note 11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities , for further information). Gains or losses on the sale of available-for-sale investments and foreign currency translation reclassifications related to sales of businesses are recorded as other income.

Benefit Plans

Benefit Plans	9 Months Ended
Benefit Plans	May 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [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 nonqualified supplemental executive and Board retirement plans. Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , are as follows: Three Months Ended May 31, Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 10,538 $ 9,648 $ 101 $ 78 $ 262 $ 263 Interest cost 5,431 7,099 107 186 187 274 Expected return on assets (11,671 ) (11,242 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 45 42 (28 ) (19 ) (111 ) (139 ) Actuarial loss (gain) amortization 5,396 3,087 25 1 (348 ) (407 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 9,739 $ 8,634 $ 205 $ 246 $ (10 ) $ (9 ) Nine Months Ended May 31, Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 31,613 $ 28,944 $ 304 $ 233 $ 787 $ 790 Interest cost 16,292 21,297 322 560 560 821 Expected return on assets (35,013 ) (33,726 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 134 127 (85 ) (56 ) (334 ) (417 ) Actuarial loss (gain) amortization 16,187 9,261 74 2 (1,044 ) (1,221 ) Settlement loss — 169 — — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 29,213 $ 26,072 $ 615 $ 739 $ (31 ) $ (27 ) The service cost component of defined benefit net periodic benefit cost is recorded in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are recorded in other income. Employer Contributions Any contributions made during fiscal 2020 will depend primarily on market returns on the pension plan assets and minimum funding level requirements. No contributions were made to the pension plans during the nine months ended May 31, 2020 , and we do not currently anticipate being required to make contributions for our pension plans in fiscal 2020.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
Income Taxes	May 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Our effective tax rate for the three months ended May 31, 2020 , was (38.4)% , compared to 11.1% for the three months ended May 31, 2019 . Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 , was (4.8)% , compared to 5.9% for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 . The decreased effective tax rate reflects a tax benefit for the settlement of a U.S. federal audit resulting in additional tax credit carryovers, as well as the equity management assumptions used in fiscal 2020 and the associated impact on income taxes. It is reasonably possible that the amount of unrecognized tax benefits could significantly change within the next 12 months. We have ongoing federal, state and international income tax audits in various jurisdictions and are evaluating uncertain tax positions that may be challenged by local tax authorities and not fully sustained. These uncertain tax positions are reviewed on an ongoing basis and adjusted in light of facts and circumstances, including progression of tax audits, developments in case law and closing of statutes of limitation. The total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect the effective tax rate as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , are $111.1 million and $ 93.3 million , respectively.

Segment Reporting

Segment Reporting	9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting	May 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	Segment Reporting We are an integrated agricultural enterprise, providing grain, foods and energy resources to businesses and consumers on a global basis. We provide a wide variety of products and services, from initial agricultural inputs such as fuels, farm supplies, crop nutrient and crop protection products, to agricultural outputs that include grains and oilseeds, grain and oilseed processing and food products, and the production and marketing of ethanol. We define our operating segments in accordance with ASC Topic 280, Segment Reporting , to reflect the manner in which our chief operating decision-maker, our Chief Executive Officer, evaluates performance and allocates resources in managing our businesses. We have aggregated those operating segments into three reportable segments: Energy, Ag and Nitrogen Production. 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; serves as a wholesaler and retailer of crop inputs; and produces and markets ethanol. Our Nitrogen Production segment consists solely of our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen, which entitles us, pursuant to a supply agreement that we entered into with CF Nitrogen, to purchase up to a specified quantity of granular urea and urea ammonium nitrate ("UAN") annually from CF Nitrogen. Corporate and Other represents our financing and hedging businesses, which primarily consist of commodities hedging and financial services related to crop production. Our nonconsolidated investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills are also included in Corporate and Other. Corporate administrative expenses and interest are allocated to each business segment and Corporate and Other, based on direct usage for services that can be tracked, such as information technology and legal, and other factors or considerations relevant to the costs incurred. Many of our business activities are highly seasonal and operating results vary throughout the year. For example, in our Ag segment, our country operations business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season and the fall harvest season, and our agronomy business generally experiences higher volumes and income during the spring planting season. Our global grain marketing operations are subject to fluctuations in volume 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 weather, crop damage due to plant disease or insects, drought, 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 primarily from businesses and operations that are wholly-owned or subsidiaries and limited liability companies in which we have a controlling interest, a portion of our business operations are conducted through companies in which we hold ownership interests of 50% or less or do not control the operations. See Note 5, Investments, for more information on these entities. Reconciling amounts primarily represent the elimination of revenues between segments. Such transactions are executed at market prices to more accurately evaluate the profitability of individual business segments. Segment information for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , is presented in the tables below. Our Ag segment information includes results associated with our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in West Central Distribution, LLC ("WCD") that we did not previously own prior to March 1, 2019. Results are comparable for the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 ; however, results for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , are not comparable as the results of WCD were not included during the first six months of fiscal 2019. Refer to further details related to our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD that we did not previously own in Note 15, Acquisitions . Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 960,352 $ 6,340,386 $ — $ 13,515 $ (73,222 ) $ 7,241,031 Intersegment revenues (69,433 ) (2,485 ) — (1,304 ) 73,222 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 890,919 $ 6,337,901 $ — $ 12,211 $ — $ 7,241,031 Operating earnings (loss) (56,792 ) 95,328 (7,936 ) 7,320 — 37,920 Interest expense (145 ) 16,261 10,176 1,810 (1,441 ) 26,661 Other income (614 ) (8,294 ) (355 ) (254 ) 1,441 (8,076 ) Equity income from investments (1,269 ) (7,999 ) (41,264 ) (582 ) — (51,114 ) Income (loss) before income taxes $ (54,764 ) $ 95,360 $ 23,507 $ 6,346 $ — $ 70,449 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Three Months Ended May 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 1,841,290 $ 6,749,182 $ — $ 16,418 $ (108,949 ) $ 8,497,941 Intersegment revenues (103,245 ) (4,067 ) — (1,637 ) 108,949 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 1,738,045 $ 6,745,115 $ — $ 14,781 $ — $ 8,497,941 Operating earnings (loss) 572 12,090 (9,040 ) 2,622 — 6,244 Interest expense 1,171 26,675 13,140 3,883 (2,096 ) 42,773 Other income (1,098 ) (31,685 ) (399 ) (1,852 ) 2,096 (32,938 ) Equity income from investments (760 ) (4,012 ) (41,959 ) (18,439 ) — (65,170 ) Income before income taxes $ 1,259 $ 21,112 $ 20,178 $ 19,030 $ — $ 61,579 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 4,550,155 $ 17,183,820 $ — $ 43,514 $ (316,747 ) $ 21,460,742 Intersegment revenues (302,763 ) (9,862 ) — (4,122 ) 316,747 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 4,247,392 $ 17,173,958 $ — $ 39,392 $ — $ 21,460,742 Operating earnings (loss) 241,594 88,102 (26,318 ) 7,239 — 310,617 Interest expense 43 57,761 34,277 8,680 (5,718 ) 95,043 Other income (2,516 ) (31,142 ) (2,272 ) (2,714 ) 5,718 (32,926 ) Equity (income) loss from investments (2,242 ) 830 (104,021 ) (29,741 ) — (135,174 ) Income before income taxes $ 246,309 $ 60,653 $ 45,698 $ 31,014 $ — $ 383,674 Total assets as of May 31, 2020 $ 4,545,401 $ 6,742,438 $ 2,743,305 $ 2,796,080 $ — $ 16,827,224 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 5,722,338 $ 18,056,033 $ — $ 52,179 $ (364,781 ) $ 23,465,769 Intersegment revenues (348,228 ) (10,976 ) — (5,577 ) 364,781 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 5,374,110 $ 18,045,057 $ — $ 46,602 $ — $ 23,465,769 Operating earnings (loss) 537,932 45,088 (24,048 ) 11,415 — 570,387 Interest expense 3,756 73,073 42,161 7,945 (3,985 ) 122,950 Other income (4,301 ) (64,341 ) (2,362 ) (2,816 ) 3,985 (69,835 ) Equity (income) loss from investments (1,828 ) (2,675 ) (118,416 ) (50,475 ) — (173,394 ) Income before income taxes $ 540,305 $ 39,031 $ 54,569 $ 56,761 $ — $ 690,666

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	9 Months Ended
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities	May 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure	Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Our derivative instruments primarily consist of commodity 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 we do not apply hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815, except with respect to certain interest rate swap contracts accounted for as fair value hedges and certain future crude oil purchases that are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Derivative instruments are primarily recorded within other current assets and other current liabilities on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as described in Note 12, Fair Value Measurements . Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, along with related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. 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, 2020 Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount (Dollars in thousands) Derivative Assets Commodity derivatives $ 377,198 $ — $ 48,562 $ 328,636 Foreign exchange derivatives 13,828 — 11,728 2,100 Embedded derivative asset 18,636 — — 18,636 Total $ 409,662 $ — $ 60,290 $ 349,372 Derivative Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 282,505 $ 1,487 $ 95,559 $ 185,459 Foreign exchange derivatives 92,962 — 11,728 81,234 Total $ 375,467 $ 1,487 $ 107,287 $ 266,693 August 31, 2019 Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount (Dollars in thousands) Derivative Assets Commodity derivatives $ 215,030 $ — $ 58,726 $ 156,304 Foreign exchange derivatives 10,334 — 7,108 3,226 Embedded derivative asset 21,364 — — 21,364 Total $ 246,728 $ — $ 65,834 $ 180,894 Derivative Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 223,410 $ 4,191 $ 41,647 $ 177,572 Foreign exchange derivatives 20,609 — 7,108 13,501 Total $ 244,019 $ 4,191 $ 48,755 $ 191,073 Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities of 12 months or less are recorded in other current assets and other current liabilities, respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Derivative assets and liabilities with maturities greater than 12 months are recorded in other assets and other liabilities, respectively, on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of long-term derivative assets, excluding derivatives designated as cash flow or fair value hedges, recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , was $25.3 million and $26.6 million , respectively. The amount of long-term derivative liabilities, excluding derivatives designated as cash flow or fair value hedges, recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , was $9.0 million and $7.4 million , respectively. 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 85,259 $ (23,749 ) $ 228,201 $ 41,814 Foreign exchange derivatives Cost of goods sold (129,699 ) (13,040 ) (177,008 ) 14,941 Foreign exchange derivatives Marketing, general and administrative expenses (2,553 ) (7 ) (615 ) (1,421 ) Embedded derivative Other income 355 399 2,272 2,362 Total $ (46,638 ) $ (36,397 ) $ 52,850 $ 57,696 Commodity Contracts As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , we had outstanding commodity futures and options contracts 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 contracts accounted for as derivative instruments. May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Long Short Long Short (Units in thousands) Grain and oilseed (bushels) 673,234 788,434 547,096 717,522 Energy products (barrels) 18,970 9,168 13,895 4,663 Processed grain and oilseed (tons) 858 1,686 597 2,454 Crop nutrients (tons) 144 — 76 23 Ocean freight (metric tons) 435 250 295 85 Natural gas (MMBtu) — — 130 — Foreign Exchange Contracts We conduct a substantial portion of our business in U.S. dollars, but we are exposed to risks relating to foreign currency fluctuations primarily due to global grain marketing transactions in South America, the Asia Pacific region and Europe, and purchases of products from Canada. We use foreign currency derivative instruments to mitigate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations. Although we have some risk exposure related to foreign currency transactions, a larger impact with exchange rate fluctuations is 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 $1.5 billion and $894.7 million as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , respectively. Embedded Derivative Asset Under the terms of our strategic investment in CF Nitrogen, if the CF Industries credit rating is reduced below certain levels by two of three specified credit ratings agencies, we are entitled to receive a nonrefundable annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries. These payments will continue on an annual basis until the date that the CF Industries credit rating is upgraded to or above certain levels by two of the three specified credit ratings agencies or February 1, 2026, whichever is earlier. Since the CF Industries credit rating was reduced below the specified levels during fiscal 2017, we have received an annual payment of $5.0 million from CF Industries. Gains totaling $2.3 million and $2.4 million were recognized in other income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , respectively. The fair value of the embedded derivative asset recorded on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 31, 2020 , was equal to $18.6 million . The current and long-term portions of the embedded derivative asset are included in other current assets and other assets on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, respectively. See Note 12, Fair Value Measurements, for additional information regarding valuation of the embedded derivative asset. Derivatives Designated as Fair Value or Cash Flow Hedging Strategies Fair Value Hedges During the third quarter of fiscal 2020, we unwound all our interest rate swaps resulting in a $16.4 million gain, which is being amortized over the life of the fixed-rate debt for which the swaps had previously been designated as fair value hedges, through fiscal 2025. As of August 31, 2019 , we had outstanding interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $365.0 million designated as fair value hedges of portions of our fixed-rate debt. Our objective in entering into these transactions was to offset changes in the fair value of the debt associated with the risk of variability in the three-month U.S. dollar LIBOR interest rate ("LIBOR"), in essence converting the fixed-rate debt to variable-rate debt. Under these interest rate swaps, we received fixed-rate interest payments and made interest payments based on the three-month LIBOR. Offsetting changes in the fair values of both the swap instruments and the hedged debt were recorded contemporaneously each period and only created an impact to earnings to the extent the hedge was ineffective. The following table presents the fair value of our derivative interest rate swap instruments designated as fair value hedges and the line item on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded. Balance Sheet Location May 31, August 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Other assets $ — $ 9,841 The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Relationships Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest expense $ (4,705 ) $ (8,122 ) $ (1,897 ) $ (15,129 ) Hedged item Interest expense 4,705 8,122 1,897 15,129 Total $ — $ — $ — $ — The following table provides the location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 . May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Location Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Long-term debt $ — $ — $ 334,389 $ 30,611 Cash Flow Hedges In fiscal 2018, our Energy segment began designating certain pay-fixed, receive-variable, cash-settled swaps as cash flow hedges of future crude oil purchases. We also began designating certain pay-variable, receive-fixed, cash-settled swaps as cash flow hedges of future refined product sales. These hedging instruments and the related hedged items are exposed to significant market price risk and potential volatility. As part of our risk management strategy, we look to hedge a portion of our expected future crude oil needs and the resulting refined product output based on prevailing futures prices, management's expectations about future commodity price changes and our risk appetite. As of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , the aggregate notional amount of cash flow hedges was 10.0 million and 7.7 million barrels, respectively. The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the line items on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded. Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) Other current assets $ 39,620 $ 33,179 Other current liabilities $ 15,945 $ 5,351 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, 2020, and 2019 : Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives $ 11,081 $ (21,029 ) $ (4,153 ) $ (9,323 ) The following table presents the pretax gains relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 884 $ 1,810 $ 7,862 $ 9,812

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements	May 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which requires an entity to maximize use of observable inputs and minimize use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are inputs or market data that a market participant would obtain from independent sources to value the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Recurring fair value measurements as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 , are as follows: May 31, 2020 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 Commodity derivatives $ 43,785 $ 373,033 $ — $ 416,818 Foreign exchange derivatives — 13,733 — 13,733 Deferred compensation assets 44,668 — — 44,668 Embedded derivative asset — 18,636 — 18,636 Segregated investments 94,233 — — 94,233 Other assets 5,478 — — 5,478 Total $ 188,164 $ 405,402 $ — $ 593,566 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 89,891 $ 208,559 $ — $ 298,450 Foreign exchange derivatives — 92,962 — 92,962 Total $ 89,891 $ 301,521 $ — $ 391,412 August 31, 2019 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 Commodity derivatives $ 67,817 $ 180,392 $ — $ 248,209 Foreign exchange derivatives — 10,339 — 10,339 Interest rate swap derivatives — 9,841 — 9,841 Deferred compensation assets 40,368 — — 40,368 Embedded derivative asset — 21,364 — 21,364 Segregated investments 77,777 — — 77,777 Other assets 6,519 — — 6,519 Total $ 192,481 $ 221,936 $ — $ 414,417 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 40,305 $ 188,455 $ — $ 228,760 Foreign exchange derivatives — 20,701 — 20,701 Total $ 40,305 $ 209,156 $ — $ 249,461 Commodity and foreign exchange 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 with fixed-price components, select ocean freight contracts and other over-the-counter ("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. Location-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand and are generally based on 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold. Interest rate swap derivatives . Fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives are determined using valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value these 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest expense. See Note 11, 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 consist primarily of rabbi trust assets that 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses. Embedded derivative asset . The embedded derivative asset relates to contingent payments inherent to our investment in CF Nitrogen. The inputs used in the fair value measurement include the probability of future upgrades and downgrades of the CF Industries credit rating based on historical credit rating movements of other public companies and the discount rates applied to potential annual payments based on applicable historical and current yield coupon rates. Based on these observable inputs, our fair value measurement is classified within Level 2. See Note 11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information. Segregated investments. Our segregated investments are composed primarily of U.S. Treasury securities, which are valued using quoted market prices and classified within Level 1. There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2020 .

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Commitments and Contingencies	May 31, 2020
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies [Text Block]	Commitments and Contingencies Environmental We are required to comply with various environmental laws and regulations incidental to our normal business operations. To meet compliance requirements, we establish reserves for the probable future costs of remediation of identified issues, which are included in cost of goods sold and marketing, general and administrative expenses in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. The resolution of any such matters may affect consolidated net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements during any fiscal year. Other Litigation and Claims We are involved as a defendant in various lawsuits, claims and disputes, which are in the normal course of our business. The resolution of any such matters may affect net income for any fiscal period; however, we believe any resulting liabilities, individually or in aggregate, will not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements during any fiscal year. Guarantees We are a guarantor for lines of credit and performance obligations of related, nonconsolidated companies. Our bank covenants allow maximum guarantees of $1.0 billion , of which $163.8 million were outstanding on May 31, 2020 . 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 these guarantees were current as of May 31, 2020 .

Leases (Notes)

Leases (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Leases (Notes)	May 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	Leases We adopted ASC Topic 842 on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we used the additional optional transition method and package of practical expedients in the period of adoption without retrospective adjustment to previous periods presented, although we elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient. As a result of using the additional optional transition method and following a modified retrospective approach, prior periods have not been restated, and a $33.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition of previously deferred gains associated with the sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Our accounting for finance leases (previously referred to as capital leases) remains substantially unchanged; however, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in recognition of operating lease right of use assets and associated lease liabilities of $268.4 million and $267.0 million , respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We assess arrangements at inception to determine whether they contain a lease. An arrangement is considered to contain a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The right to control the use of an asset must include both (a) the right to obtain substantially all economic benefits associated with an identified asset and (b) the right to direct how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. Certain arrangements provide us with the right to use an identified asset; however, most of these arrangements are not considered to represent a lease as we do not control how and for what purpose the identified asset is used. For example, our supply agreements, warehousing and distribution services agreements, and transportation services agreements generally do not contain leases. We lease property, plant and equipment used in our operations primarily under operating lease agreements and, to a lesser extent, under finance lease agreements. Our operating leases are primarily for railcars, equipment, vehicles and office space, many of which contain renewal options and escalation clauses. Renewal options are included as part of the right of use asset and liability when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise the renewal option; however, renewal options are generally not included as we are not reasonably certain to exercise such options. Operating lease right of use assets and liabilities for operating leases are recognized at the lease commencement date for leases in excess of 12 months based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. For measurement and classification of lease agreements, lease and nonlease components are grouped into a single lease component for all asset classes. Variable lease payments are excluded from measurement of right of use assets and liabilities and generally include payments for nonlease components such as maintenance costs, payments for leased assets beyond their noncancelable lease term and payments for other nonlease components such as sales tax. The discount rate used to calculate present value is our collateralized incremental borrowing rate or, if available, the rate implicit in the lease. The incremental borrowing rate is determined for each lease based primarily on its lease term. Certain lease arrangements include rental payments adjusted annually based on changes in an inflation index. Our lease arrangements generally do not contain residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The components of lease expense recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows: Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Operating lease expense $ 17,057 $ 53,155 Finance lease expense: Amortization of assets 1,908 5,170 Interest on lease liabilities 257 742 Short-term lease expense 3,108 12,768 Variable lease expense 1,176 2,089 Total net lease expense* $ 23,506 $ 73,924 *Income related to sub-lease activity is not material and has been excluded from the table above. Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and finance leases is as follows: Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Operating leases Assets Operating lease right of use assets Other assets $ 261,125 Liabilities Current operating lease liabilities Accrued expenses 57,470 Long-term operating lease liabilities Other liabilities 206,299 Total operating lease liabilities $ 263,769 Finance leases Assets Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment $ 42,854 Liabilities Current finance lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt 6,710 Long-term finance lease liabilities Long-term debt 22,443 Total finance lease liabilities $ 29,153 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) Operating leases 8.5 Finance leases 6.2 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.13 % Finance leases 3.31 % Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows: Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 45,718 Operating cash flows from finance leases 742 Financing cash flows from finance leases 5,239 Supplemental noncash information: Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities 32,567 Right of use asset modifications 6,507 Maturities of lease liabilities as of May 31, 2020 , were as follows: May 31, 2020 Finance Leases Operating Leases (Dollars in thousands) Remainder of fiscal 2020 $ 1,689 $ 17,401 Fiscal 2021 7,297 61,134 Fiscal 2022 6,141 47,348 Fiscal 2023 5,472 37,260 Fiscal 2024 3,067 29,368 After fiscal 2024 9,339 174,940 Total maturities of lease liabilities 33,005 367,451 Less amounts representing interest 3,852 103,682 Present value of future minimum lease payments 29,153 263,769 Less current obligations 6,710 57,470 Long-term obligations $ 22,443 $ 206,299 Disclosures Related to Periods Prior to Adoption of New Lease Standard The following pertains to previously disclosed information from Note 6, Property, Plant and Equipment , and Note 15, Commitments and Contingencies , contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2019 , which incorporates information about leases now in the scope of ASC Topic 842 discussed above. Total rental expense for operating leases was $113.3 million , $88.5 million and $81.3 million for the years ended August 31, 2019 , 2018 and 2017, respectively. Various leases under capital lease totaled $62.7 million and $50.0 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Accumulated amortization on assets under capital leases was $20.6 million and $18.9 million as of August 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Minimum future lease payments required under noncancelable capital and operating leases as of August 31, 2019 , were as follows: August 31, 2019 Capital Leases Operating Leases (Dollars in thousands) Fiscal 2020 $ 6,761 $ 87,168 Fiscal 2021 6,199 57,381 Fiscal 2022 5,021 43,665 Fiscal 2023 4,548 34,328 Fiscal 2024 2,638 26,793 Thereafter 6,517 92,653 Total minimum future lease payments 31,684 $ 341,988 Less amount representing interest 3,445 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 28,239

Acquisitions (Notes)

Acquisitions (Notes)	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Notes)	May 31, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block]	Note 15 Acquisitions On March 1, 2019, we completed our acquisition of the remaining 75% ownership interest in WCD, a full-service wholesale distributor of agronomy products that operates primarily in the United States. The purchase price was equal to $113.4 million , including $6.7 million that was previously paid and $106.7 million paid on March 1, 2019, of which the net cash flows were reduced by $8.0 million of cash acquired. Prior to completing this acquisition and through February 28, 2019, we had a 25% ownership interest in WCD, which was accounted for under the equity method of accounting whereby we shared in the economics of WCD earnings on a pro rata basis. By acquiring the remaining ownership interest in WCD, we were able to expand our agronomy platform, position ourselves as a leading supply partner to cooperatives and retailers serving growers throughout the United States and add value for our owners. The WCD enterprise value was determined using a discounted cash flow model in which the fair value of the business was estimated based on the earning capacity of WCD. We estimated the fair value of the previously held equity interest to be equal to 25% of the total fair value of WCD, which was implied based on the price we paid for the remaining 75% interest. The acquisition-date fair value of the previous equity interest was $37.8 million and is included in measurement of the consideration transferred. We recognized a gain of approximately $19.1 million as a result of remeasuring our prior equity interest in WCD held before acquisition of the remaining 75% interest. The gain was included in other income in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2019. Allocation of the purchase price for this transaction resulted in goodwill of $61.4 million , which is nondeductible for tax purposes, and definite-lived intangible assets of $47.2 million . As this acquisition is not considered to have a material impact on our financial statements, pro forma results of operations are not presented. The acquisition resulted in fair value measurements that are not on a recurring basis and did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Purchase accounting has been finalized and the fair values assigned to the net assets acquired are as follows: (Dollars in thousands) Cash $ 8,033 Current assets 708,764 Property, plant and equipment 44,064 Goodwill 61,358 Intangible assets 47,200 Other assets 55 Liabilities (718,262 ) Total net assets acquired $ 151,212 Operating results for WCD are included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations from the day of the acquisition on March 1, 2019. WCD revenues and income before income taxes were $410.0 million and $14.2 million , respectively, for the nine months ended May 31, 2020 , and $255.6 million and $10.5 million , respectively, for the nine months ended May 31, 2019 . Due to the timing of the acquisition during the third quarter of fiscal 2019, WCD's results prior to acquisition were not included in the comparable year-to-date period of the prior year.

Organization, Basis of Presen_2

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy	These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect, in the opinion of management, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the 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 the seasonal nature of our businesses, among other things. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes are presented as permitted by the requirements for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
Consolidation, Policy	should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended August 31, 2019 , included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	Significant Accounting Policies The following significant accounting policy was updated or changed since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019 . Leases As described in the "Recent Accounting Pronouncements" section, we adopted Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases , as amended (collectively "Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 842"), on September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. Our accounting policies and additional disclosures with respect to ASC Topic 842
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Except for the recent accounting pronouncements described below, other recent accounting pronouncements are not expected to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Adopted We adopted ASC Topic 842 as of September 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective approach. In addition, we used the additional optional transition method and package of practical expedients in the period of adoption without retrospective adjustment to previous periods presented, although we elected not to apply the hindsight practical expedient available under the standard. As a result of using the modified retrospective method, prior periods have not been restated, and a $33.7 million cumulative-effect adjustment was recorded to increase the opening balance of capital reserves as of the adoption date related to recognition of previously deferred gains associated with the sale-leaseback of our primary corporate office building located in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota. Additionally, adoption of ASC Topic 842 resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets and associated lease liabilities of $268.4 million and $267.0 million , respectively, as of September 1, 2019. Adoption of ASC Topic 842 did not have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Additional information and further disclosures related to our leases and lease-related financial statement amounts are included within Note 14, Leases. Not Yet Adopted In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses ("ASC Topic 326"): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments . The amendments in this ASU introduce a new approach, based on expected losses, to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments. This ASU is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses associated with most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, including trade and other receivables, loans, held-to-maturity debt securities, net investments in leases and off-balance-sheet credit exposures. Entities are required to apply the provisions of this ASU as a cumulative-effect adjustment to capital reserves as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is adopted. This ASU is effective for us beginning September 1, 2020, for our fiscal year 2021 and for interim periods within that fiscal year. The impact of adoption will depend on the composition of our portfolio at the adoption date and we are currently finalizing our evaluation of the impact of adoption on our condensed consolidated financial statements through various data-gathering activities, development of a credit loss model and accounting policy election determinations.

Revenues (Tables)

Revenues (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Revenues (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Disaggregation of Revenues	The following table presents revenues recognized under ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC Topic 606"), disaggregated by reportable segment, as well as the amount of revenues recognized under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC Topic 815"), and other applicable accounting guidance for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Other applicable accounting guidance primarily includes revenues recognized under ASC Topic 842, Leases , and ASC Topic 470, Debt , that fall outside the scope of ASC Topic 606. ASC Topic 606 ASC Topic 815 Other Guidance Total Revenues Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Energy $ 762,053 $ 128,866 $ — $ 890,919 Ag 2,026,588 4,290,627 20,686 6,337,901 Corporate and Other 6,027 — 6,184 12,211 Total revenues $ 2,794,668 $ 4,419,493 $ 26,870 $ 7,241,031 Three Months Ended May 31, 2019 Energy $ 1,544,533 $ 193,512 $ — $ 1,738,045 Ag 2,234,378 4,485,089 25,648 6,745,115 Corporate and Other 4,841 — 9,940 14,781 Total revenues $ 3,783,752 $ 4,678,601 $ 35,588 $ 8,497,941 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 Energy $ 3,831,806 $ 415,586 $ — $ 4,247,392 Ag 4,446,097 12,681,108 46,753 17,173,958 Corporate and Other 16,910 — 22,482 39,392 Total revenues $ 8,294,813 $ 13,096,694 $ 69,235 $ 21,460,742 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019 Energy $ 4,826,762 $ 547,348 $ — $ 5,374,110 Ag 4,574,203 13,375,276 95,578 18,045,057 Corporate and Other 14,818 — 31,784 46,602 Total revenues $ 9,415,783 $ 13,922,624 $ 127,362 $ 23,465,769

Receivables (Tables)

Receivables (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Receivables (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Receivables [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable	May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Trade accounts receivable $ 1,766,166 $ 1,803,284 CHS Capital short-term notes receivable 474,425 592,909 Other 524,975 511,821 Gross receivables 2,765,566 2,908,014 Less: allowances and reserves 191,359 176,805 Total receivables $ 2,574,207 $ 2,731,209

Inventories (Tables)

Inventories (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Inventories (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Inventory, Current	May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Grain and oilseed $ 1,021,535 $ 1,024,645 Energy 681,364 717,378 Agronomy 967,451 954,037 Processed grain and oilseed 108,115 109,900 Other 40,293 48,328 Total inventories $ 2,818,758 $ 2,854,288

Investments (Tables)

Investments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Investments (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Investments [Abstract]
Investment Holdings, Schedule of Investments [Table Text Block]	May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Equity method investments: CF Industries Nitrogen, LLC $ 2,724,668 $ 2,708,942 Ventura Foods, LLC 364,726 374,516 Ardent Mills, LLC 206,476 209,027 Other equity method investments 247,778 267,247 Other investments 123,311 124,264 Total investments $ 3,666,959 $ 3,683,996
Equity Method Investments [Table Text Block]	The following table provides summarized unaudited financial information for our equity method investment in CF Nitrogen for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 Net sales $ 1,954,660 $ 2,219,267 Gross profit 481,711 560,631 Net earnings 452,859 536,409 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 104,021 118,415 The following table provides aggregate summarized unaudited financial information for our equity method investments in Ventura Foods and Ardent Mills for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 Net sales $ 4,101,502 $ 4,427,127 Gross profit 686,045 391,338 Net earnings 134,774 152,315 Earnings attributable to CHS Inc. 29,770 50,415

Notes Payable and Long-Term D_2

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	May 31, August 31, (Dollars in thousands) Notes payable $ 1,573,594 $ 1,330,550 CHS Capital notes payable 641,989 825,558 Total notes payable $ 2,215,583 $ 2,156,108
Schedule of Interest,Net	Interest expense for the three months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , was $26.7 million and $42.8 million , respectively, net of capitalized interest of $2.7 million and $2.5 million , respectively. Interest expense for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , was $95.0 million and $123.0 million , respectively, net of capitalized interest of $8.9 million and $7.1 million , respectively.

Equities (Tables)

Equities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Equities (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Cash Flow Hedges Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment Total (Dollars in thousands) Balance as of August 31, 2019, net of tax $ (172,478 ) $ 15,297 $ (69,752 ) $ (226,933 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (85 ) (3,331 ) (2,411 ) (5,827 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 (4,473 ) — 504 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,892 (7,804 ) (2,411 ) (5,323 ) Tax effect 181 1,932 1,572 3,685 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 5,073 (5,872 ) (839 ) (1,638 ) Balance as of November 30, 2019, net of tax $ (167,405 ) $ 9,425 $ (70,591 ) $ (228,571 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications — (5,975 ) (8,540 ) (14,515 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 (1,747 ) — 3,230 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,977 (7,722 ) (8,540 ) (11,285 ) Tax effect (1,231 ) 1,910 21 700 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,746 (5,812 ) (8,519 ) (10,585 ) Balance as of February 29, 2020, net of tax $ (163,659 ) $ 3,613 $ (79,110 ) $ (239,156 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (340 ) 7,795 (12,515 ) (5,060 ) Amounts reclassified 4,977 1,263 — 6,240 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 4,637 9,058 (12,515 ) 1,180 Tax effect (1,147 ) (2,241 ) 199 (3,189 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 3,490 6,817 (12,316 ) (2,009 ) Balance as of May 31, 2020, net of tax $ (160,169 ) $ 10,430 $ (91,426 ) $ (241,165 ) 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, 2018, net of tax $ (140,335 ) $ 8,861 $ (5,882 ) $ (62,559 ) $ (199,915 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications 175 — (317 ) (25 ) (167 ) Amounts reclassified 2,565 — (1,475 ) — 1,090 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,740 — (1,792 ) (25 ) 923 Tax effect (639 ) — 485 (380 ) (534 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,101 — (1,307 ) (405 ) 389 Reclassifications 416 (8,861 ) 983 2,756 (4,706 ) Balance as of November 30, 2018, net of tax $ (137,818 ) $ — $ (6,206 ) $ (60,208 ) $ (204,232 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications 102 — 18,954 3,176 22,232 Amounts reclassified 2,564 — (5,677 ) — (3,113 ) Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,666 — 13,277 3,176 19,119 Tax effect (664 ) — (3,308 ) (263 ) (4,235 ) Other comprehensive income, net of tax 2,002 — 9,969 2,913 14,884 Balance as of February 28, 2019, net of tax $ (135,816 ) $ — $ 3,763 $ (57,295 ) $ (189,348 ) Other comprehensive income (loss), before tax: Amounts before reclassifications (164 ) — (19,680 ) (7,725 ) (27,569 ) Amounts reclassified 2,564 — (1,385 ) — 1,179 Total other comprehensive income (loss), before tax 2,400 — (21,065 ) (7,725 ) (26,390 ) Tax effect (904 ) — 5,248 (267 ) 4,077 Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 1,496 — (15,817 ) (7,992 ) (22,313 ) Balance as of May 31, 2019, net of tax $ (134,320 ) $ — $ (12,054 ) $ (65,287 ) $ (211,661 )
Schedule of Stockholders Equity	Changes in equities for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , are as follows: Equity Certificates Accumulated Capital Nonpatronage Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Capital Noncontrolling Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2019 $ 3,753,493 $ 29,074 $ 1,206,310 $ 2,264,038 $ (226,933 ) $ 1,584,158 $ 7,390 $ 8,617,530 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 5,447 — — — — — — 5,447 Redemptions of equities (4,721 ) (54 ) (672 ) — — — — (5,447 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (84,334 ) — (84,334 ) ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment — — — — — 33,707 — 33,707 Other, net (8 ) — (39 ) — — (1,312 ) 410 (949 ) Net income — — — — — 177,882 855 178,737 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (1,638 ) — — (1,638 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (28,504 ) — (28,504 ) Estimated 2020 equity redemptions (91,633 ) — — — — — — (91,633 ) Balances, November 30, 2019 $ 3,662,578 $ 29,020 $ 1,205,599 $ 2,264,038 $ (228,571 ) $ 1,681,597 $ 8,655 $ 8,622,916 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 3,387 — (472,398 ) — — 562,398 — 93,387 Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds — — 474,066 — — (564,096 ) — (90,030 ) Redemptions of equities (2,998 ) (20 ) (369 ) — — — — (3,387 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (42,167 ) — (42,167 ) Other, net (201 ) — 3 — — 10 (324 ) (512 ) Net income — — — — — 125,447 247 125,694 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (10,585 ) — — (10,585 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (22,206 ) — (22,206 ) Estimated 2020 equity redemptions (49,154 ) — — — — — — (49,154 ) Balances, February 29, 2020 $ 3,613,612 $ 29,000 $ 1,206,901 $ 2,264,038 $ (239,156 ) $ 1,740,983 $ 8,578 $ 8,623,956 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 67,438 — 10,000 — — — — 77,438 Distribution of 2019 patronage refunds — — 327 — — (409 ) — (82 ) Redemptions of equities (64,273 ) (91 ) (13,074 ) — — — — (77,438 ) Other, net (1,544 ) (7 ) (116 ) — — 1,053 8 (606 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 97,648 (147 ) 97,501 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (2,009 ) — — (2,009 ) Estimated 2020 cash patronage refunds — — — — — 13,551 — 13,551 Estimated 2020 equity redemptions 47,975 — — — — — — 47,975 Balances, May 31, 2020 $ 3,663,208 $ 28,902 $ 1,204,038 $ 2,264,038 $ (241,165 ) $ 1,852,826 $ 8,439 $ 8,780,286 Equity Certificates Accumulated Capital Nonpatronage Nonqualified Equity Certificates Preferred Capital Noncontrolling Total (Dollars in thousands) Balances, August 31, 2018 $ 3,837,580 $ 29,498 $ 742,378 $ 2,264,038 $ (199,915 ) $ 1,482,003 $ 9,446 $ 8,165,028 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 24,072 — — — — — — 24,072 Redemptions of equities (22,004 ) (183 ) (1,885 ) — — — — (24,072 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (84,334 ) — (84,334 ) Reclassification of unrealized (gain) loss on investments — — — — (4,706 ) 4,706 — — Other, net (409 ) — (26 ) — — 3,436 318 3,319 Net income (loss) — — — — — 347,504 (389 ) 347,115 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — 389 — — 389 Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (89,344 ) — (89,344 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (50,081 ) — — — — — — (50,081 ) Balances, November 30, 2018 $ 3,789,158 $ 29,315 $ 740,467 $ 2,264,038 $ (204,232 ) $ 1,663,971 $ 9,375 $ 8,292,092 Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates 6,681 — (345,330 ) — — 420,330 — 81,681 Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds — — 349,353 — — (424,333 ) — (74,980 ) Redemptions of equities (5,988 ) (74 ) (619 ) — — — — (6,681 ) Preferred stock dividends — — — — — (42,167 ) — (42,167 ) Other, net (774 ) — 2,589 — — (2,888 ) (581 ) (1,654 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 248,766 (462 ) 248,304 Other comprehensive income, net of tax — — — — 14,884 — — 14,884 Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (69,400 ) — (69,400 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (39,850 ) — — — — — — (39,850 ) Balances, February 28, 2019 $ 3,749,227 $ 29,241 $ 746,460 $ 2,264,038 $ (189,348 ) $ 1,794,279 $ 8,332 $ 8,402,229 Reversal of prior year redemption estimates 45,815 — — — — — — 45,815 Distribution of 2018 patronage refunds — — 3,212 — — (3,901 ) — (689 ) Redemptions of equities (34,798 ) (34 ) (10,812 ) — — — — (45,644 ) Other, net (1,285 ) — (3,722 ) — — 4,526 11 (470 ) Net income (loss) — — — — — 54,620 93 54,713 Other comprehensive loss, net of tax — — — — (22,313 ) — — (22,313 ) Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds — — — — — (15,494 ) — (15,494 ) Estimated 2019 equity redemptions (6,438 ) — — — — — — (6,438 ) Balances, May 31, 2019 $ 3,752,521 $ 29,207 $ 735,138 $ 2,264,038 $ (211,661 ) $ 1,834,030 $ 8,436 $ 8,411,709
Preferred Stock [Text Block]	Preferred Stock Dividends The following is a summary of dividends per share by series of preferred stock for the nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Note that due to the timing of dividend declarations during the fiscal year, no declarations were made during the third quarter of fiscal 2020 or fiscal 2019. Nine Months Ended May 31, Nasdaq symbol 2020 2019 Series of preferred stock: (Dollars per share) 8% Cumulative Redeemable CHSCP $ 1.50 $ 1.50 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 1 CHSCO 1.48 1.48 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 2 CHSCN 1.33 1.33 Class B Reset Rate Cumulative Redeemable, Series 3 CHSCM 1.27 1.27 Class B Cumulative Redeemable, Series 4 CHSCL 1.41 1.41

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net B

Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Benefit Plans Schedule of Net Benefit Costs (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs of Assumptions Used	Components of net periodic benefit costs for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 , are as follows: Three Months Ended May 31, Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 10,538 $ 9,648 $ 101 $ 78 $ 262 $ 263 Interest cost 5,431 7,099 107 186 187 274 Expected return on assets (11,671 ) (11,242 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 45 42 (28 ) (19 ) (111 ) (139 ) Actuarial loss (gain) amortization 5,396 3,087 25 1 (348 ) (407 ) Net periodic benefit cost $ 9,739 $ 8,634 $ 205 $ 246 $ (10 ) $ (9 ) Nine Months Ended May 31, Qualified Pension Benefits Nonqualified Pension Benefits Other Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 2020 2019 Components of net periodic benefit costs: (Dollars in thousands) Service cost $ 31,613 $ 28,944 $ 304 $ 233 $ 787 $ 790 Interest cost 16,292 21,297 322 560 560 821 Expected return on assets (35,013 ) (33,726 ) — — — — Prior service cost (credit) amortization 134 127 (85 ) (56 ) (334 ) (417 ) Actuarial loss (gain) amortization 16,187 9,261 74 2 (1,044 ) (1,221 ) Settlement loss — 169 — — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 29,213 $ 26,072 $ 615 $ 739 $ (31 ) $ (27 )

Segment Reporting (Tables)

Segment Reporting (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Segment Reporting (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 4,550,155 $ 17,183,820 $ — $ 43,514 $ (316,747 ) $ 21,460,742 Intersegment revenues (302,763 ) (9,862 ) — (4,122 ) 316,747 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 4,247,392 $ 17,173,958 $ — $ 39,392 $ — $ 21,460,742 Operating earnings (loss) 241,594 88,102 (26,318 ) 7,239 — 310,617 Interest expense 43 57,761 34,277 8,680 (5,718 ) 95,043 Other income (2,516 ) (31,142 ) (2,272 ) (2,714 ) 5,718 (32,926 ) Equity (income) loss from investments (2,242 ) 830 (104,021 ) (29,741 ) — (135,174 ) Income before income taxes $ 246,309 $ 60,653 $ 45,698 $ 31,014 $ — $ 383,674 Total assets as of May 31, 2020 $ 4,545,401 $ 6,742,438 $ 2,743,305 $ 2,796,080 $ — $ 16,827,224 Energy Ag Nitrogen Production Corporate Reconciling Total Nine Months Ended May 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Revenues, including intersegment revenues $ 5,722,338 $ 18,056,033 $ — $ 52,179 $ (364,781 ) $ 23,465,769 Intersegment revenues (348,228 ) (10,976 ) — (5,577 ) 364,781 — Revenues, net of intersegment revenues $ 5,374,110 $ 18,045,057 $ — $ 46,602 $ — $ 23,465,769 Operating earnings (loss) 537,932 45,088 (24,048 ) 11,415 — 570,387 Interest expense 3,756 73,073 42,161 7,945 (3,985 ) 122,950 Other income (4,301 ) (64,341 ) (2,362 ) (2,816 ) 3,985 (69,835 ) Equity (income) loss from investments (1,828 ) (2,675 ) (118,416 ) (50,475 ) — (173,394 ) Income before income taxes $ 540,305 $ 39,031 $ 54,569 $ 56,761 $ — $ 690,666

Derivative Financial Instrume_2

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements	May 31, 2020 Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount (Dollars in thousands) Derivative Assets Commodity derivatives $ 377,198 $ — $ 48,562 $ 328,636 Foreign exchange derivatives 13,828 — 11,728 2,100 Embedded derivative asset 18,636 — — 18,636 Total $ 409,662 $ — $ 60,290 $ 349,372 Derivative Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 282,505 $ 1,487 $ 95,559 $ 185,459 Foreign exchange derivatives 92,962 — 11,728 81,234 Total $ 375,467 $ 1,487 $ 107,287 $ 266,693 August 31, 2019 Amounts Not Offset on Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting Gross Amount Recognized Cash Collateral Derivative Instruments Net Amount (Dollars in thousands) Derivative Assets Commodity derivatives $ 215,030 $ — $ 58,726 $ 156,304 Foreign exchange derivatives 10,334 — 7,108 3,226 Embedded derivative asset 21,364 — — 21,364 Total $ 246,728 $ — $ 65,834 $ 180,894 Derivative Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 223,410 $ 4,191 $ 41,647 $ 177,572 Foreign exchange derivatives 20,609 — 7,108 13,501 Total $ 244,019 $ 4,191 $ 48,755 $ 191,073
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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 85,259 $ (23,749 ) $ 228,201 $ 41,814 Foreign exchange derivatives Cost of goods sold (129,699 ) (13,040 ) (177,008 ) 14,941 Foreign exchange derivatives Marketing, general and administrative expenses (2,553 ) (7 ) (615 ) (1,421 ) Embedded derivative Other income 355 399 2,272 2,362 Total $ (46,638 ) $ (36,397 ) $ 52,850 $ 57,696
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Purchase and Sales Contracts	all outstanding commodity contracts accounted for as derivative instruments. May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Long Short Long Short (Units in thousands) Grain and oilseed (bushels) 673,234 788,434 547,096 717,522 Energy products (barrels) 18,970 9,168 13,895 4,663 Processed grain and oilseed (tons) 858 1,686 597 2,454 Crop nutrients (tons) 144 — 76 23 Ocean freight (metric tons) 435 250 295 85 Natural gas (MMBtu) — — 130 —
Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value	The following table presents the fair value of our commodity derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges and the line items on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded. Derivative Assets Derivative Liabilities Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) Other current assets $ 39,620 $ 33,179 Other current liabilities $ 15,945 $ 5,351 The following table presents the fair value of our derivative interest rate swap instruments designated as fair value hedges and the line item on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in which they are recorded. Balance Sheet Location May 31, August 31, 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Other assets $ — $ 9,841
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 . Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Gain (Loss) on Fair Value Hedging Relationships Location of Gain (Loss) 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Interest rate swaps Interest expense $ (4,705 ) $ (8,122 ) $ (1,897 ) $ (15,129 ) Hedged item Interest expense 4,705 8,122 1,897 15,129 Total $ — $ — $ — $ —
Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following table provides the location and carrying amount of hedged liabilities in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2020 , and August 31, 2019 . May 31, 2020 August 31, 2019 Balance Sheet Location Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities (Dollars in thousands) Long-term debt $ — $ — $ 334,389 $ 30,611
Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	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, 2020, and 2019 : Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives $ 11,081 $ (21,029 ) $ (4,153 ) $ (9,323 )
Schedule of Cash Flow Hedges Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table presents the pretax gains relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended May 31, 2020, and 2019 : Three Months Ended May 31, Nine Months Ended May 31, Location of Gain 2020 2019 2020 2019 (Dollars in thousands) Commodity derivatives Cost of goods sold $ 884 $ 1,810 $ 7,862 $ 9,812

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring	May 31, 2020 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 Commodity derivatives $ 43,785 $ 373,033 $ — $ 416,818 Foreign exchange derivatives — 13,733 — 13,733 Deferred compensation assets 44,668 — — 44,668 Embedded derivative asset — 18,636 — 18,636 Segregated investments 94,233 — — 94,233 Other assets 5,478 — — 5,478 Total $ 188,164 $ 405,402 $ — $ 593,566 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 89,891 $ 208,559 $ — $ 298,450 Foreign exchange derivatives — 92,962 — 92,962 Total $ 89,891 $ 301,521 $ — $ 391,412 August 31, 2019 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 Commodity derivatives $ 67,817 $ 180,392 $ — $ 248,209 Foreign exchange derivatives — 10,339 — 10,339 Interest rate swap derivatives — 9,841 — 9,841 Deferred compensation assets 40,368 — — 40,368 Embedded derivative asset — 21,364 — 21,364 Segregated investments 77,777 — — 77,777 Other assets 6,519 — — 6,519 Total $ 192,481 $ 221,936 $ — $ 414,417 Liabilities Commodity derivatives $ 40,305 $ 188,455 $ — $ 228,760 Foreign exchange derivatives — 20,701 — 20,701 Total $ 40,305 $ 209,156 $ — $ 249,461

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Leases (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]	Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The components of lease expense recognized in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations are as follows: Three Months Ended May 31, 2020 Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Operating lease expense $ 17,057 $ 53,155 Finance lease expense: Amortization of assets 1,908 5,170 Interest on lease liabilities 257 742 Short-term lease expense 3,108 12,768 Variable lease expense 1,176 2,089 Total net lease expense* $ 23,506 $ 73,924 *Income related to sub-lease activity is not material and has been excluded from the table above.
Lease Balance Sheet disclosure [Table Text Block]	Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating and finance leases is as follows: Balance Sheet Location May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Operating leases Assets Operating lease right of use assets Other assets $ 261,125 Liabilities Current operating lease liabilities Accrued expenses 57,470 Long-term operating lease liabilities Other liabilities 206,299 Total operating lease liabilities $ 263,769 Finance leases Assets Finance lease assets Property, plant and equipment $ 42,854 Liabilities Current finance lease liabilities Current portion of long-term debt 6,710 Long-term finance lease liabilities Long-term debt 22,443 Total finance lease liabilities $ 29,153 Weighted average remaining lease term (in years) Operating leases 8.5 Finance leases 6.2 Weighted average discount rate Operating leases 3.13 % Finance leases 3.31 %
Lease Cash flow and other information disclosure [Table Text Block]	Supplemental cash flow and other information related to operating and finance leases are as follows: Nine Months Ended May 31, 2020 (Dollars in thousands) Cash paid for amounts included in measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 45,718 Operating cash flows from finance leases 742 Financing cash flows from finance leases 5,239 Supplemental noncash information: Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities 32,567 Right of use asset modifications 6,507
Lease liability maturity [Table Text Block]	Maturities of lease liabilities as of May 31, 2020 , were as follows: May 31, 2020 Finance Leases Operating Leases (Dollars in thousands) Remainder of fiscal 2020 $ 1,689 $ 17,401 Fiscal 2021 7,297 61,134 Fiscal 2022 6,141 47,348 Fiscal 2023 5,472 37,260 Fiscal 2024 3,067 29,368 After fiscal 2024 9,339 174,940 Total maturities of lease liabilities 33,005 367,451 Less amounts representing interest 3,852 103,682 Present value of future minimum lease payments 29,153 263,769 Less current obligations 6,710 57,470 Long-term obligations $ 22,443 $ 206,299
Schedule of future minimum payments for capital and operating leases [Table Text Block]	Minimum future lease payments required under noncancelable capital and operating leases as of August 31, 2019 , were as follows: August 31, 2019 Capital Leases Operating Leases (Dollars in thousands) Fiscal 2020 $ 6,761 $ 87,168 Fiscal 2021 6,199 57,381 Fiscal 2022 5,021 43,665 Fiscal 2023 4,548 34,328 Fiscal 2024 2,638 26,793 Thereafter 6,517 92,653 Total minimum future lease payments 31,684 $ 341,988 Less amount representing interest 3,445 Present value of net minimum lease payments $ 28,239

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
Acquisitions (Tables)	May 31, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]	(Dollars in thousands) Cash $ 8,033 Current assets 708,764 Property, plant and equipment 44,064 Goodwill 61,358 Intangible assets 47,200 Other assets 55 Liabilities (718,262 ) Total net assets acquired $ 151,212

Organization, Basis of Presen_3

Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies - Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Sep. 01, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Reporting Unit, Percentage of Fair Value in Excess of Carrying Amount	18.00%
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption		$ 33,700
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 261,125	268,400
Operating Lease, Liability	$ 263,769	$ 267,000

Revenues - Narrative (Details)

Revenues - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Revenues - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Revenue recognized	$ 50.5	$ 67.9	$ 182	$ 148.9
Contract liabilities	$ 204.7		$ 204.7		$ 207.5

Revenues - Disaggregation of Re

Revenues - Disaggregation of Revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 7,241,031	$ 8,497,941	$ 21,460,742	$ 23,465,769
Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	890,919	1,738,045	4,247,392	5,374,110
Ag
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	6,337,901	6,745,115	17,173,958	18,045,057
Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	12,211	14,781	39,392	46,602
ASC 606
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	2,794,668	3,783,752	8,294,813	9,415,783
ASC 606 \| Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	762,053	1,544,533	3,831,806	4,826,762
ASC 606 \| Ag
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	2,026,588	2,234,378	4,446,097	4,574,203
ASC 606 \| Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	6,027	4,841	16,910	14,818
ASC 815
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,419,493	4,678,601	13,096,694	13,922,624
ASC 815 \| Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	128,866	193,512	415,586	547,348
ASC 815 \| Ag
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	4,290,627	4,485,089	12,681,108	13,375,276
ASC 815 \| Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other Guidance
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	26,870	35,588	69,235	127,362
Other Guidance \| Energy
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	0	0	0	0
Other Guidance \| Ag
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	20,686	25,648	46,753	95,578
Other Guidance \| Corporate and Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 6,184	$ 9,940	$ 22,482	$ 31,784

Receivables - Schedule of Rece

Receivables - Schedule of Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 1,766,166	$ 1,803,284
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable	474,425	592,909
Other	524,975	511,821
Receivables, gross	2,765,566	2,908,014
Less: allowances and reserves	191,359	176,805
Total receivables	$ 2,574,207	$ 2,731,209

Receivables - Narrative (Detai

Receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$ 762.2
CHS Capital Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable, non-current, term	10 years
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	$ 93.6	$ 180
Commercial Notes to Notes and Loans Receivable, Net, Percentage	45.00%	41.00%
Producer Notes to Notes and Loans Receivable, Net, Percentage	55.00%	59.00%

Inventories - Schedule of Inve

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Grain and oilseed	$ 1,021,535	$ 1,024,645
Energy	681,364	717,378
Agronomy	967,451	954,037
Processed grain and oilseed	108,115	109,900
Other	40,293	48,328
Total inventories	$ 2,818,758	$ 2,854,288

Inventories - Narrative (Detai

Inventories - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
Inventories - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
LIFO inventory, difference amount had FIFO inventory valuation method been used	$ (79)	$ 215
Percentage of LIFO inventory	16.00%
Inventory [Line Items]
Production Related Impairments or Charges	$ 42

Investments - Narrative (Detai

Investments - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Investments - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020USD ($)	May 31, 2019USD ($)	May 31, 2020USD ($)	May 31, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments	$ (51,114)	$ (65,170)	$ (135,174)	$ (173,394)
Cost Method Investments	123,311		123,311		$ 124,264
Investments	$ 3,666,959		3,666,959		3,683,996
CF Nitrogen LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Equity Method Investments			$ 2,700,000
Ownership percentage	10.00%		10.00%
Equity Method Investments	$ 2,724,668		$ 2,724,668		2,708,942
Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	364,726		364,726		374,516
Ardent Mills LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	206,476		206,476		$ 209,027
Nitrogen Production [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments	$ (41,264)	(41,959)	$ (104,021)	(118,416)
Foods [Member] \| Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	50.00%		50.00%
Corporate and Other
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments	$ (582)	(18,439)	$ (29,741)	(50,475)
Corporate and Other \| Ardent Mills LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Ownership percentage	12.00%		12.00%
Number of parent companies	3		3
Ag
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments	$ (7,999)	$ (4,012)	$ 830	$ (2,675)

Investments Equity Method inves

Investments Equity Method investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 97,648	$ 54,620	$ 400,977	$ 650,890
Ventura Foods, LLC And Ardent Mills, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Sales			4,101,502	4,427,127
Gross Profit			686,045	391,338
Net earnings			134,774	152,315
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.			29,770	50,415
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	247,778		247,778		$ 267,247
CF Nitrogen LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	$ 2,724,668		2,724,668		$ 2,708,942
Net Sales			1,954,660	2,219,267
Gross Profit			481,711	560,631
Net earnings			452,859	536,409
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.			$ 104,021	$ 118,415

Notes Payable and Long-Term D_3

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 2,215,583	$ 2,156,108
Notes payable [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	1,573,594	1,330,550
CHS Capital notes payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 641,989	$ 825,558

Notes Payable and Long-Term D_4

Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest expense	$ 26,661	$ 42,773
Capitalized interest	2,700	2,500	$ 8,900	$ 7,100
Interest Expense	26,661	$ 42,773	$ 95,043	$ 122,950
Five-Year Revolving Facilities \| Line of Credit \| Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, term			5 years
Current borrowing capacity	2,750,000		$ 2,750,000
Outstanding balance	800,000		800,000		$ 335,000
Capital Support Agreement [Member] \| Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Current borrowing capacity	100,000		100,000
Repurchase Facility \| Subordinated Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Outstanding balance	150,000		150,000
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 150,000		$ 150,000

Equities Changes in Equity (Det

Equities Changes in Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,623,956	$ 8,622,916	$ 8,617,530	$ 8,402,229	$ 8,292,092	$ 8,165,028	$ 8,617,530	$ 8,165,028
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	77,438	93,387	5,447	45,815	81,681	24,072
patronage refund	(82)	(90,030)		(689)	(74,980)
Redemptions of equities	(77,438)	(3,387)	(5,447)	(45,644)	(6,681)	(24,072)
Preferred stock dividends		(42,167)	(84,334)		(42,167)	(84,334)
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			(33,707)
Other, net	(606)	(512)	(949)	(470)	(1,654)	3,319
Net income (loss)	97,501	125,694	178,737	54,713	248,304	347,115	401,932	650,132
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	97,648			54,620			400,977	650,890
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)			93			955	(758)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,009)	(10,585)	(1,638)	(22,313)	14,884	389	(14,232)	(7,040)
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds	13,551	(22,206)	(28,504)	(15,494)	(69,400)	(89,344)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions	47,975	(49,154)	(91,633)	(6,438)	(39,850)	(50,081)
Ending Balance	8,780,286	8,623,956	8,622,916	8,411,709	8,402,229	8,292,092	8,780,286	8,411,709
Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	3,613,612	3,662,578	3,753,493	3,749,227	3,789,158	3,837,580	3,753,493	3,837,580
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	67,438	3,387	5,447	45,815	6,681	24,072
Redemptions of equities	(64,273)	(2,998)	(4,721)	(34,798)	(5,988)	(22,004)
Other, net	(1,544)	(201)	(8)	(1,285)	(774)	(409)
Estimated 2019 equity redemptions	47,975	(49,154)	(91,633)	(6,438)	(39,850)	(50,081)
Ending Balance	3,663,208	3,613,612	3,662,578	3,752,521	3,749,227	3,789,158	3,663,208	3,752,521
Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	29,000	29,020	29,074	29,241	29,315	29,498	29,074	29,498
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	0	0	0	0	0	0
Redemptions of equities	(91)	(20)	(54)	(34)	(74)	(183)
Other, net	(7)
Ending Balance	28,902	29,000	29,020	29,207	29,241	29,315	28,902	29,207
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,206,901	1,205,599	1,206,310	746,460	740,467	742,378	1,206,310	742,378
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	10,000	(472,398)	0		(345,330)	0
patronage refund	327	474,066		3,212	349,353
Redemptions of equities	(13,074)	(369)	(672)	(10,812)	(619)	(1,885)
Other, net	(116)	3	(39)	(3,722)	2,589	(26)
Ending Balance	1,204,038	1,206,901	1,205,599	735,138	746,460	740,467	1,204,038	735,138
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038
Redemptions of equities	0	0	0	0	0	0
Ending Balance	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038	2,264,038
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	(239,156)	(228,571)	(226,933)	(189,348)	(204,232)	(199,915)	(226,933)	(199,915)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						(4,706)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,009)	(10,585)	(1,638)	(22,313)	14,884	389
Ending Balance	(241,165)	(239,156)	(228,571)	(211,661)	(189,348)	(204,232)	(241,165)	(211,661)
Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	1,740,983	1,681,597	1,584,158	1,794,279	1,663,971	1,482,003	1,584,158	1,482,003
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates	0	562,398	0		420,330	0
patronage refund	(409)	(564,096)		(3,901)	(424,333)
Preferred stock dividends		(42,167)	(84,334)		(42,167)	(84,334)
Other, net	1,053	10	(1,312)	4,526	(2,888)	3,436
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	97,648	125,447	177,882	54,620	248,766	347,504
Estimated 2019 cash patronage refunds	13,551	(22,206)	(28,504)	(15,494)	(69,400)	(89,344)
Ending Balance	1,852,826	1,740,983	1,681,597	1,834,030	1,794,279	1,663,971	1,852,826	1,834,030
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning Balance	8,578	8,655	7,390	8,332	9,375	9,446	7,390	9,446
Other, net	8	(324)	410	11	(581)	318
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(147)	247	855	93	(462)	(389)
Ending Balance	$ 8,439	$ 8,578	8,655	$ 8,436	$ 8,332	9,375	$ 8,439	$ 8,436
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			(33,707)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member] \| Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
ASC Topic 842 cumulative-effect adjustment			$ 0
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 \| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						4,706
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 \| Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						$ (4,706)

Equities Accumulated Other Comp

Equities Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 8,623,956	$ 8,622,916	$ 8,617,530	$ 8,402,229	$ 8,292,092	$ 8,165,028	$ 8,617,530	$ 8,165,028
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,009)	(10,585)	(1,638)	(22,313)	14,884	389	(14,232)	(7,040)
Ending Balance	8,780,286	8,623,956	8,622,916	8,411,709	8,402,229	8,292,092	8,780,286	8,411,709
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(163,659)	(167,405)	(172,478)	(135,816)	(137,818)	(140,335)	(172,478)	(140,335)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(340)	0	(85)	(164)	102	175
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	4,977	4,977	4,977	2,564	2,564	2,565
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	4,637	4,977	4,892	2,400	2,666	2,740
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(1,147)	(1,231)	181	(904)	(664)	(639)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	3,490	3,746	5,073	1,496	2,002	2,101
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						416
Ending Balance	(160,169)	(163,659)	(167,405)	(134,320)	(135,816)	(137,818)	(160,169)	(134,320)
AOCI, Accumulated Gain (Loss), Debt Securities, Available-for-sale, Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance				0	0	8,861		8,861
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax				0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax				0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax				0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax				0	0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				0	0	0
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						(8,861)
Ending Balance				0	0	0		0
Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	3,613	9,425	15,297	3,763	(6,206)	(5,882)	15,297	(5,882)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	7,795	(5,975)	(3,331)	(19,680)	18,954	(317)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	1,263	(1,747)	(4,473)	(1,385)	(5,677)	(1,475)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	9,058	(7,722)	(7,804)	(21,065)	13,277	(1,792)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(2,241)	1,910	1,932	5,248	(3,308)	485
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	6,817	(5,812)	(5,872)	(15,817)	9,969	(1,307)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						983
Ending Balance	10,430	3,613	9,425	(12,054)	3,763	(6,206)	10,430	(12,054)
Accumulated Foreign Currency Adjustment Attributable to Parent [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(79,110)	(70,591)	(69,752)	(57,295)	(60,208)	(62,559)	(69,752)	(62,559)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax		(8,540)	(2,411)	(7,725)	3,176	(25)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	(12,515)	0	0	0	0	0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	(12,515)	(8,540)	(2,411)	(7,725)	3,176	(25)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	199	21	1,572	(267)	(263)	(380)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(12,316)	(8,519)	(839)	(7,992)	2,913	(405)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						2,756
Ending Balance	(91,426)	(79,110)	(70,591)	(65,287)	(57,295)	(60,208)	(91,426)	(65,287)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	(239,156)	(228,571)	(226,933)	(189,348)	(204,232)	(199,915)	(226,933)	(199,915)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Reclassifications, before Tax	(5,060)	(14,515)	(5,827)	(27,569)	22,232	(167)
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, before Tax	6,240	3,230	504	1,179	(3,113)	1,090
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), before Tax	1,180	(11,285)	(5,323)	(26,390)	19,119	923
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Tax	(3,189)	700	3,685	4,077	(4,235)	(534)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(2,009)	(10,585)	(1,638)	(22,313)	14,884	389
Reclassification from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Current Period, Net of Tax						(4,706)
Ending Balance	$ (241,165)	$ (239,156)	$ (228,571)	$ (211,661)	$ (189,348)	$ (204,232)	$ (241,165)	$ (211,661)

Equities Dividends Per Share (D

Equities Dividends Per Share (Details) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended
Equities Dividends Per Share (Details) - $ / shares	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Member]
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Per Share Amounts of Preferred Dividends in Arrears	$ 1.50	$ 1.50
Class B, Series 1 Preferred Stock [Member]
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Per Share Amounts of Preferred Dividends in Arrears	1.48	1.48
Class B, Series 2 Preferred Stock [Member]
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Per Share Amounts of Preferred Dividends in Arrears	1.33	1.33
Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Per Share Amounts of Preferred Dividends in Arrears	1.27	1.27
Class B, Series 4 Preferred Stock [Member]
8% Cumulative Redeemable [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Per Share Amounts of Preferred Dividends in Arrears	$ 1.41	$ 1.41

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic B

Benefit Plans - Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Qualified Pension Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service cost	$ 10,538	$ 9,648	$ 31,613	$ 28,944
Interest cost	5,431	7,099	16,292	21,297
Expected return on assets	(11,671)	(11,242)	(35,013)	(33,726)
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	45	42	134	127
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	5,396	3,087	16,187	9,261
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment			0	169
Net periodic benefit cost	9,739	8,634	29,213	26,072
Non-Qualified Pension Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service cost	101	78	304	233
Interest cost	107	186	322	560
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	(28)	(19)	(85)	(56)
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	25	1	74	2
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment			0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	205	246	615	739
Other Benefits
Component of net periodic benefit costs: [Abstract]
Service cost	262	263	787	790
Interest cost	187	274	560	821
Expected return on assets	0	0	0	0
Prior service cost (credit) amortization	(111)	(139)	(334)	(417)
Actuarial (gain) loss amortization	(348)	(407)	(1,044)	(1,221)
Defined Benefit Plan, Net Periodic Benefit Cost (Credit), Gain (Loss) Due to Settlement and Curtailment			0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ (10)	$ (9)	$ (31)	$ (27)

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	(38.40%)	11.10%	(4.80%)	5.90%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 111.1		$ 111.1		$ 93.3

Segment Reporting - Segment In

Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019	Mar. 01, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Remainingownershipacquired						75.00%
Revenues	$ 7,241,031	$ 8,497,941	$ 21,460,742	$ 23,465,769
Revenue From Contract With Customer Net of Intersegment Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax	7,241,031	8,497,941	21,460,742	23,465,769
Operating earnings (loss)	37,920	6,244	310,617	570,387
Interest Expense	26,661	42,773	95,043	122,950
Other (income) loss	(8,076)	(32,938)	(32,926)	(69,835)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(51,114)	(65,170)	(135,174)	(173,394)
Income (loss) before income taxes	70,449	61,579	383,674	690,666
Total assets	16,827,224		16,827,224		$ 16,447,494
Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues, including intersegment revenues	960,352	1,841,290	4,550,155	5,722,338
Revenues	890,919	1,738,045	4,247,392	5,374,110
Revenue From Contract With Customer Net of Intersegment Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax	890,919	1,738,045	4,247,392	5,374,110
Operating earnings (loss)	(56,792)	572	241,594	537,932
Interest Expense	(145)	1,171	43	3,756
Other (income) loss	(614)	(1,098)	(2,516)	(4,301)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(1,269)	(760)	(2,242)	(1,828)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(54,764)	1,259	246,309	540,305
Total assets	4,545,401		4,545,401
Ag
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues, including intersegment revenues	6,340,386	6,749,182	17,183,820	18,056,033
Revenues	6,337,901	6,745,115	17,173,958	18,045,057
Revenue From Contract With Customer Net of Intersegment Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax	6,337,901	6,745,115	17,173,958	18,045,057
Operating earnings (loss)	95,328	12,090	88,102	45,088
Interest Expense	16,261	26,675	57,761	73,073
Other (income) loss	(8,294)	(31,685)	(31,142)	(64,341)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(7,999)	(4,012)	830	(2,675)
Income (loss) before income taxes	95,360	21,112	60,653	39,031
Total assets	6,742,438		6,742,438
Nitrogen Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues, including intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0
Operating earnings (loss)	(7,936)	(9,040)	(26,318)	(24,048)
Interest Expense	10,176	13,140	34,277	42,161
Other (income) loss	(355)	(399)	(2,272)	(2,362)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(41,264)	(41,959)	(104,021)	(118,416)
Income (loss) before income taxes	23,507	20,178	45,698	54,569
Total assets	2,743,305		2,743,305
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues, including intersegment revenues	13,515	16,418	43,514	52,179
Revenues	12,211	14,781	39,392	46,602
Revenue From Contract With Customer Net of Intersegment Revenue Excluding Assessed Tax	12,211	14,781	39,392	46,602
Operating earnings (loss)	7,320	2,622	7,239	11,415
Interest Expense	1,810	3,883	8,680	7,945
Other (income) loss	(254)	(1,852)	(2,714)	(2,816)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(582)	(18,439)	(29,741)	(50,475)
Income (loss) before income taxes	6,346	19,030	31,014	56,761
Total assets	2,796,080		2,796,080
Reconciling Amounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(73,222)	(108,949)	(316,747)	(364,781)
Operating earnings (loss)	0	0	0	0
Interest Expense	(1,441)	(2,096)	(5,718)	(3,985)
Other (income) loss	1,441	2,096	5,718	3,985
Equity (income) loss from investments	0	0	0	0
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Total assets	0		0
Operating Segments [Member] \| Energy
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment Revenue	(69,433)	(103,245)	(302,763)	(348,228)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Ag
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment Revenue	(2,485)	(4,067)	(9,862)	(10,976)
Operating Segments [Member] \| Nitrogen Production [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment Revenue	0	0	0	0
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment Revenue	(1,304)	(1,637)	(4,122)	(5,577)
Reconciling Amounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Intersegment Revenue	$ 73,222	$ 108,949	$ 316,747	$ 364,781

Derivative Financial Instrume_3

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Purchase and Sale Contracts (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument t in Thousands, T in Thousands, MMBtu in Thousands, Bushels in Thousands, Barrels in Thousands	May 31, 2020TtBushelsMMBtuBarrels	Aug. 31, 2019TtBushelsMMBtuBarrels
Grain and oilseed (bushels) \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| Bushels	673,234	547,096
Grain and oilseed (bushels) \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| Bushels	788,434	717,522
Energy products (barrels) \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| Barrels	18,970	13,895
Energy products (barrels) \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| Barrels	9,168	4,663
Processed grain and oilseed (tons) \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	858	597
Processed grain and oilseed (tons) \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	1,686	2,454
Crop nutrients (tons) \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	144	76
Crop nutrients (tons) \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount	0	23
Ocean Freight Contracts [Member] \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| t	435	295
Ocean Freight Contracts [Member] \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| t	250	85
Natural gas (MMBtu) \| Long [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| MMBtu	0	130
Natural gas (MMBtu) \| Short [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Nonmonetary Notional Amount \| MMBtu	0	0

Derivative Financial Instrume_4

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Derivatives (Details) $ in Thousands, bbl in Millions	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020USD ($)bbl	May 31, 2019USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019USD ($)bbl
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Noncurrent	$ 9,000		$ 7,400
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	349,372		180,894
Derivative Assets	409,662		246,728
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	60,290		65,834
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	266,693		191,073
Derivative Liabilities	375,467		244,019
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	1,487		4,191
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	107,287		48,755
Embedded Derivative, Gain on Embedded Derivative	$ 2,300	$ 2,400
Credit Rating Agencies Threshold, Minimum	66.67%
Deferred Gain (Loss) on Discontinuation of Interest Rate Fair Value Hedge	$ 16,400
Derivative Asset, Noncurrent, Excluding Fair Value Hedges	25,300		26,600
CF Nitrogen LLC [Member]
Derivative [Line Items]
Annual Payment Receivable Contingent On Investment Credit Rating	5,000
Embedded derivative asset	18,600
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	2,100		3,226
Derivative Assets	13,828		10,334
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	11,728		7,108
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	81,234		13,501
Derivative Liabilities	92,962		20,609
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	0		0
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	11,728		7,108
Derivative, Notional Amount	1,500,000		894,700
Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	18,636		21,364
Derivative Assets	18,636		21,364
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	0		0
Commodity derivatives \| Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	328,636		156,304
Derivative Assets	377,198		215,030
Derivative Asset, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	48,562		58,726
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Amount Not Offset Against Collateral	185,459		177,572
Derivative Liabilities	282,505		223,410
Derivative Liability, Collateral, Right to Reclaim Cash, Offset	1,487		4,191
Derivative Liability, Fair Value, Gross Amount Not Offset on Balance Sheet	95,559		$ 41,647
Fair Value Hedging \| Interest rate swap derivatives \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, Notional Amount	$ 365,000
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Aggregate notional amount of cash flow hedges (in barrels) \| bbl	10		7.7
Cash Flow Hedging \| Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 39,620		$ 33,179
Derivative Liabilities	$ 15,945		$ 5,351

Derivative Financial Instrume_5

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Pretax Gains (Losses) On Derivatives Not Accounted For As Hedging Instruments (Details) - Not Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ (46,638)	$ (36,397)	$ 52,850	$ 57,696
Commodity derivatives \| Cost of goods sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	85,259	(23,749)	228,201	41,814
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Cost of goods sold
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(129,699)	(13,040)	(177,008)	14,941
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Selling, General and Administrative Expenses [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	(2,553)	(7)	(615)	(1,421)
Embedded Derivative Financial Instruments [Member] \| Other Income [Member]
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosures [Line Items]
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain (Loss), Net	$ 355	$ 399	$ 2,272	$ 2,362

Derivative Financial Instrume_6

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 409,662	$ 246,728
Derivative Liabilities	375,467	244,019
Designated as Hedging Instrument \| Other Assets [Member] \| Interest rate swap derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 0	$ 9,841

Derivative Financial Instrume_7

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Earnings (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationship	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Interest Expense \| Interest rate swap derivatives
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationship	(4,705)	(8,122)	(1,897)	(15,129)
Interest Expense \| Hedged Item
Derivative [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on fair value hedging relationship	$ 4,705	$ 8,122	$ 1,897	$ 15,129

Derivative Financial Instrume_8

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Schedule of Derivatives Instruments Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - Long-term debt - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Derivative [Line Items]
Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities	$ 0	$ 334,389
Cumulative Amount of Fair Value Hedging Adjustments Included in the Carrying Amount of Hedged Liabilities	$ 0	$ 30,611

Derivative Financial Instrume_9

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Commodity Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Derivative Assets	$ 409,662	$ 246,728
Derivative Liabilities	$ 375,467	$ 244,019

Derivative Financial Instrum_10

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities - Commodity Derivatives (Details) - Commodity derivatives - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019
Cost of goods sold
Derivative [Line Items]
Pretax gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI related to cash flow hedges	$ 884	$ 1,810	$ 7,862	$ 9,812
Cash Flow Hedging
Derivative [Line Items]
Pretax gains (losses) recorded in OCI related to cash flow hedges	$ 11,081	$ (21,029)	$ (4,153)	$ (9,323)

Fair Value Measurements - Fair

Fair Value Measurements - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Recurring [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation assets	$ 44,668	$ 40,368
Embedded derivative asset	18,636	21,364
Securities Segregated under Other Regulations	94,233	77,777
Other assets	5,478	6,519
Total assets	593,566	414,417
Foreign exchange derivatives		20,701
Total liabilities	391,412	249,461
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation assets	44,668	40,368
Embedded derivative asset	0	0
Securities Segregated under Other Regulations	94,233	77,777
Other assets	5,478	6,519
Total assets	188,164	192,481
Foreign exchange derivatives		0
Total liabilities	89,891	40,305
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation assets	0	0
Embedded derivative asset	18,636	21,364
Securities Segregated under Other Regulations	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	405,402	221,936
Foreign exchange derivatives		20,701
Total liabilities	301,521	209,156
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Deferred compensation assets	0	0
Embedded derivative asset	0	0
Securities Segregated under Other Regulations	0	0
Other assets	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Foreign exchange derivatives		0
Total liabilities	0	0
Commodity derivatives
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	416,818	248,209
Derivative Liability	298,450	228,760
Commodity derivatives \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	43,785	67,817
Derivative Liability	89,891	40,305
Commodity derivatives \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	373,033	180,392
Derivative Liability	208,559	188,455
Commodity derivatives \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset	0	0
Derivative Liability	0	0
Foreign exchange derivatives
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange derivatives	13,733	10,339
Foreign exchange derivatives	92,962
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange derivatives	0	0
Foreign exchange derivatives	0
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange derivatives	13,733	10,339
Foreign exchange derivatives	92,962
Foreign exchange derivatives \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Foreign exchange derivatives	0	0
Foreign exchange derivatives	$ 0
Interest rate swap derivatives
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		9,841
Interest rate swap derivatives \| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		0
Interest rate swap derivatives \| Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		9,841
Interest rate swap derivatives \| Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative Asset		$ 0

Commitments and Contingencies G

Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees (Details) $ in Millions	May 31, 2020USD ($)
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantor obligations, maximum exposure, undiscounted	$ 163.8
Maximum guarantees allowed by bank covenants	$ 1,000

Leases (Details)

Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Capital Leases, Lessee Balance Sheet, Assets by Major Class, Accumulated Depreciation			$ 20,600	$ 18,900
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net			113,300	88,500	$ 81,300
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption						$ 33,700
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 1,689	$ 1,689
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Remainder of Fiscal Year	17,401	17,401
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months			6,761
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Next Twelve Months			87,168
Operating Lease, Payments		45,718
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	261,125	261,125				268,400
Operating Lease, Expense	17,057	53,155
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Amortization	1,908	5,170
Finance Lease, Interest Expense	257	742
Short-term Lease, Cost	3,108	12,768
Variable Lease, Cost	1,176	2,089
Lease, Cost	23,506	73,924
Operating Lease, Liability	263,769	263,769				$ 267,000
Finance Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	42,854	42,854
Finance Lease, Liability, Current	6,710	6,710
Operating Lease, Liability, Current	57,470	57,470
Finance Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	22,443	22,443
Finance Lease, Liability	$ 29,153	$ 29,153
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	8 years 6 months	8 years 6 months
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	6 years 2 months	6 years 2 months
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	3.13%	3.13%
Finance Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	3.31%	3.31%
Finance Lease, Interest Payment on Liability		$ 742
Finance Lease, Principal Payments		5,239
Right-of-Use Asset Obtained in Exchange for Operating Lease Liability		32,567
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Two Years			6,199
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Two Years			57,381
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Three Years			5,021
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Three Years			43,665
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Four Years			4,548
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Four Years			34,328
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due in Five Years			2,638
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due in Five Years			26,793
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due Thereafter			6,517
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Due Thereafter			92,653
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Net Minimum Payments			31,684
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due			341,988
Capital Leases, Future Minimum Payments, Interest Included in Payments			3,445
Capital Lease Obligations			28,239
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	$ 7,297	7,297
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Next Twelve Months	61,134	61,134
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	6,141	6,141
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Two	47,348	47,348
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	5,472	5,472
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Three	37,260	37,260
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	3,067	3,067
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Four	29,368	29,368
Finance Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	9,339	9,339
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due Year Five	174,940	174,940
Finance Lease, Liability, Payment, Due	33,005	33,005
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payments, Due	367,451	367,451
Finance Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	3,852	3,852
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Undiscounted Excess Amount	103,682	103,682
Operating Lease, Liability, Noncurrent	$ 206,299	206,299
Capital Leased Assets, Gross			$ 62,700	$ 50,000
Right of use asset modification		$ 6,507

Acquisitions (Details)

Acquisitions (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 01, 2019	May 31, 2020	May 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisitionpurchaseprice	$ 113,400
Amountpreviouslypaid	6,700
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Revenue of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual		$ 410,000	$ 255,600
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Fair Value	37,800
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	106,700	0	119,421
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	8,000
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Remeasurement Gain	$ 19,100
Business Combination, Pro Forma Information, Earnings or Loss of Acquiree since Acquisition Date, Actual		$ 14,200	$ 10,500
Remainingownershipacquired	75.00%
West Central [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Ownership percentage				25.00%

Acquisitions Fair Value of Net

Acquisitions Fair Value of Net Assets Acquired (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 01, 2019USD ($)
Fair value of net assets acquired [Line Items]
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	$ 8,000
West Central [Member]
Fair value of net assets acquired [Line Items]
Cash Acquired from Acquisition	8,033
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets	708,764
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	44,064
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	61,358
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired	47,200
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Assets	55
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities	(718,262)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	$ 151,212