INCOME TAX (Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Rate to Effective Tax Rate from Continuing Operations) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Reconciliation Of Statutory Federal Tax Rate [Line Items]
Income tax expense at statutory rate of 35%	$ 85,585	$ 53,135	$ 56,946
State and local taxes	4,020	88	3,460
Section 199 manufacturing deduction	(4,017)	(1,199)	0
Foreign rate differential	(2,404)	(6,290)	(4,783)
Change in valuation allowance	12,305	19,978	5,334
Deferred compensation	772	(4,164)	(2,890)
Nontaxable foreign interest	(16,712)	(16,506)	(5,445)
Disposition of foreign subsidiaries	0	0	6,292
Australian reorganization	0	0	(7,245)
Other	3,657	(2,318)	6,310
Income tax expense on continuing operations	$ 83,206	$ 42,724	$ 57,979
Effective income tax rates from continuing operations	34.00%	28.10%	35.60%