CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2023 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2022 USD ($)
Cash flows from (used by) operating activities:
Net earnings	$ 485,491	$ 859,760	$ 1,217,262
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash flows from operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	280,367	218,830	175,024
Stock-based compensation	45,066	60,529	46,978
Deferred income taxes and other long-term taxes	(15,319)	51,919	86,175
Write-down of inventory	5,098	11,286	464
Asset impairments:	6,708	3,780	4,926
Net loss (gain) on sales of assets	3,321	2,327	(275,422)
Loss on debt extinguishment	11	179	16,052
Other	2,745	4,471	2,089
Settlement of New Markets Tax Credit transactions	(6,748)	(17,659)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	75,703	175,102	(257,607)
Inventories	61,777	177,024	(255,175)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other payables	(23,557)	(174,120)	3,899
Other operating assets and liabilities	(20,955)	(29,325)	(64,356)
Net cash flows from operating activities	899,708	1,344,103	700,309
Cash flows from (used by) investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(324,271)	(606,665)	(449,988)
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired	0	(234,717)	(552,449)
Proceeds from government grants related to property, plant and equipment	0	5,000	0
Proceeds from insurance	0	2,456	3,081
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment and other	756	1,006	315,148
Other	513	(2,307)	(507)
Net cash flows used by investing activities	(323,002)	(835,227)	(684,715)
Cash flows from (used by) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net	0	0	743,391
Repayments of long-term debt	(36,346)	(389,756)	(328,594)
Debt issuance and extinguishment	0	(1,897)	(16,706)
Proceeds from accounts receivable facilities	175,322	330,061	440,236
Repayments under accounts receivable facilities	(183,347)	(349,015)	(433,936)
Treasury stock acquired	(182,932)	(101,406)	(161,880)
Tax withholdings related to share settlements, net of purchase plans	(7,595)	(12,539)	(9,457)
Dividends	(78,868)	(74,936)	(67,749)
Proceeds from Noncontrolling Interests	7	9	0
Net cash flows from (used by) financing activities	(313,759)	(599,479)	165,305
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	891	7,077	(2,785)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	263,838	(83,526)	178,114
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	595,717	679,243	501,129
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of period	859,555	595,717	679,243
Supplemental information:
Cash paid for income taxes	158,455	199,883	229,316
Cash paid for interest	49,463	64,431	47,329
Noncash activities:
Liabilities related to additions of property, plant and equipment	35,203	31,379	55,648
Cash and cash equivalents	857,922	592,332	672,596
Restricted cash	$ 1,633	$ 3,385	$ 6,647