BUSINESS SEGMENTS (Reconciliations of Earnings from Continuing Operations to Adjusted Operating Profit) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2024	May 31, 2023	May 31, 2024	May 31, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Net earnings	$ 119,440	$ 233,971
Interest expense	12,117	8,878	$ 35,751	$ 31,868
Income taxes	40,867	76,099	120,361	208,465
Depreciation and amortization	70,692	55,129	208,177	157,528
Asset impairments	146	1	150	46
Corporate and Other expenses	37,070	37,715	102,569	93,013
Adjusted EBITDA reportable segments	$ 280,332	$ 411,793	848,568	1,166,514
Settlement of New markets Tax Credit transaction			$ 0	$ 17,659