Consolidated Statements Of Stockholders’ Equity (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-In Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Accum. Other Comp. Income (Loss) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total Green Plains Stockholders' Equity [Member]	Non-controlling Interests [Member]	Total
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2009	$ 25	$ 292,231	$ 9,331	$ (123)		$ 301,464	$ 9,244	$ 310,708
Beginning balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2009	24,957,000
Net income			48,012			48,012	150	48,162
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				(297)		(297)		(297)
Stock-based compensation		2,124				2,124		2,124
Stock-based compensation, Shares	102,000
Stock options exercised		200				200		200
Stock options exercised, Shares	23,000
Share issuance	6	79,726				79,732		79,732
Share issuance, shares	6,325,000
Acquisition related issuance	5	56,964				56,969		56,969
Acquisition related issuance, shares	4,386,000
Other		44				44		44
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2010	36	431,289	57,343	(420)		488,248	9,394	497,642
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2010	35,793,000
Net income			38,418			38,418	(205)	38,213
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				(2,533)		(2,533)		(2,533)
Repurchase of common stock					(28,201)	(28,201)		(28,201)
Repurchase of common stock, shares					3,500,000			3,500,000
Purchase of noncontrolling interest in Blendstar, net of tax		5,572				5,572	(8,944)	(3,372)
Stock-based compensation		3,429				3,429		3,429
Stock-based compensation, Shares	593,000
Stock options exercised		179				179		179
Stock options exercised, Shares	28,000
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2011	36	440,469	95,761	(2,953)	(28,201)	505,112	245	505,357
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2011	36,414,000				3,500,000
Net income			11,779			11,779	(16)	11,763
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax				6,488		6,488		6,488
Repurchase of common stock					(37,607)	(37,607)		(37,607)
Repurchase of common stock, shares					3,700,000			3,700,000
Stock-based compensation	1	4,290				4,291		4,291
Stock-based compensation, Shares	421,000
Stock options exercised		452				452		452
Stock options exercised, Shares	69,000							68,832
Other		(13)				(13)	(229)	(242)
Ending balance at Dec. 31, 2012	$ 37	$ 445,198	$ 107,540	$ 3,535	$ (65,808)	$ 490,502		$ 490,502
Ending balance, Shares at Dec. 31, 2012	36,904,000				7,200,000