Acquisitions And Dispositions (Narrative) (Details) $ in Thousands, shares in Millions, gal in Millions							12 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 15, 2018 USD ($) shares	Aug. 01, 2018 USD ($) item	May 16, 2017 USD ($) item	Sep. 23, 2016 USD ($) property gal	Jan. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Oct. 03, 2016 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Purchase price of acquisition							$ 124,407	$ 61,727	$ 508,143
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets							$ 150,351
Number of ethanol plants | item							13
Asset Purchase Agreement With Bartlett Cattle Company L.P. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of cattle feeding operations | item			2
Feedlot capacity head of cattle | item			97,000
Property and equipment, net			$ 16,190
Working capital acquired or assumed			$ 106,600
Working capital payments							$ 900
Asset Purchase Agreement With Cargill Cattle Feeders LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of cattle feeding operations | item				2
Feedlot capacity head of cattle | item				155,000
Property and equipment, net				$ 36,960
Working capital payments							1,600
Fleischmann’s Vinegar [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net										$ 49,175
Purchase price of acquisition										$ 258,319
Acquisition related costs									2,300
Acquisition of Abengoa Ethanol Plants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, net					$ 234,947
Working capital acquired or assumed					$ 19,100
Expected annual ethanol production capacity | gal					230
Acquisition related costs									$ 1,300
Number of ethanol plants | property					3
Acquisition of Abengoa Ethanol Plants [Member] | Green Plains Partners LP [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transfer between entities under control					$ 90,000
Acquisition of Green Plains Hereford [Member] | Green Plains Partners LP [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Transfer between entities under control						$ 62,300
Fleischmann’s Vinegar [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets	$ 58,200
Disposal Of Assets, Transaction Costs	7,400
Consideration received	$ 353,900
Bluffton, Lakota and Riga Ethanol Plants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration paid for business acquisition		$ 120,900
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets		92,200
Disposal Of Assets, Transaction Costs		4,200
Consideration received		$ 319,800
Partners' Capital Account, Units | shares		8.7
General Partner's Interest Percent		2.00%
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Additional Consideration		$ 2,700
Disposal Receivable, Working Capital True-Up, Additional Inventory Transferred							$ 3,100
General Partner [Member] | Bluffton, Lakota and Riga Ethanol Plants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Partners' Capital Account, Units | shares		0.2
Partnership [Member] | Bluffton, Lakota and Riga Ethanol Plants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets		$ 2,700
Disposal Of Assets, Transaction Costs		500
Corporate [Member] | Bluffton, Lakota and Riga Ethanol Plants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets		89,500
Disposal Of Assets, Transaction Costs		$ 3,700