CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS (Schedule of Long-term Debt) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 29, 2024	Aug. 31, 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	$ 1,171,210	$ 1,164,991
Less debt issuance costs	(13,956)	(14,840)
Total amounts outstanding	1,161,804	1,154,797
Less current maturities of long-term debt	(35,588)	(40,513)
Long-term debt	$ 1,126,216	1,114,284
2030 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.125%
Total debt	$ 300,000	300,000
2031 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	3.875%
Total debt	$ 300,000	300,000
2032 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.375%
Total debt	$ 300,000	300,000
Series 2022 Bonds, due 2047
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.00%
Total debt	$ 145,060	145,060
Plus unamortized bond premium	$ 4,550	$ 4,646
Short-term borrowings
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate, short term	6.79%	7.80%
Total debt	$ 378	$ 8,419
Other
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	4.547%
Total debt	$ 15,861	16,042
Finance leases
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Weighted average interest rate	5.092%
Total debt	$ 109,911	$ 95,470