Fair Value Fair Value (Nonfinancial Assets Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis) (Details) (Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Plant, property and equipment		$ 56,795
Other assets		2,472
Intangible assets		3,271
Fair value, inputs, level 1 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Plant, property and equipment		0
Other assets		0
Intangible assets		0
Fair value, inputs, level 2 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Plant, property and equipment		0
Other assets		0
Intangible assets		0
Fair value, inputs, level 3 [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Plant, property and equipment	9,000	56,795
Other assets		2,472
Intangible assets		3,271
Fair value measurements recognized loss [Member]
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Plant, property and equipment	3,300	89,448
Other assets		18,557
Intangible Assets		$ 12,140