CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales	$ 8,799,533	$ 8,913,481	$ 6,729,760
Costs and operating expenses (income):
Cost of goods and services sold	6,987,618	7,057,085	5,623,903
Selling, general and administrative expenses	643,535	544,984	505,117
Interest expense	40,127	50,709	51,904
Loss on debt extinguishment	179	16,052	16,841
Asset impairments	3,780	4,926	6,784
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	2,327	(275,422)	(8,807)
Total costs and expenses	7,677,566	7,398,334	6,195,742
Earnings before income taxes	1,121,967	1,515,147	534,018
Income taxes	262,207	297,885	121,153
Net earnings	$ 859,760	$ 1,217,262	$ 412,865
Earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	$ 7.34	$ 10.09	$ 3.43
Diluted (in shares)	$ 7.25	$ 9.95	$ 3.38
Average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	117,077,703	120,648,090	120,338,357
Average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	118,606,271	122,372,386	121,983,497

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.