Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 126	$ 123	$ 127
Receivables:
Trade	80,180	72,314	76,623
Members	5,590	4,817	4,548
Other	5,033	5,938	5,749
Advances to Related Parties	8,909	34,619	3,072
Inventories	901,906	272,686	718,296
Prepaid Expenses	2,760	904	2,381
Total Current Assets	1,004,504	391,401	810,796
Property and Equipment:
Land and Land Improvements	88,578	88,186	83,781
Buildings	137,160	137,156	135,378
Equipment	1,029,117	1,023,625	994,992
Construction in Progress	8,239	9,353	4,217
Less Accumulated Depreciation	(866,078)	(852,369)	(829,108)
Net Property and Equipment	397,016	405,951	389,260
Net Property and Equipment Held for Lease	82,179	84,095	90,540
Other Assets:
Investments in CoBank, ACB	6,131	6,131	7,348
Investments in Marketing Cooperatives	82	82	1,098
Other Assets	12,133	11,820	12,291
Total Other Assets	18,346	18,033	20,737
Total Assets	1,502,045	899,480	1,311,333
Current Liabilities:
Short-Term Debt	386,390	110,640	361,812
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt	280	280	5,765
Accounts Payable	35,660	54,911	38,130
Advances Due to Related Parties	4,322	5,307	4,029
Accrued Continuing Costs	67,970		18,810
Other Current Liabilities	37,768	50,055	33,979
Amounts Due Growers	383,365	99,359	279,257
Total Current Liabilities	915,755	320,552	741,782
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities	128,360	128,360	128,640
Accrued Employee Benefits	94,868	94,653	62,400
Advances Due to Related Parties	4,815	5,033
Other Liabilities	12,816	10,692	12,608
Total Liabilities	1,156,614	559,290	945,430
Commitments and Contingencies
Members' Investments:
Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding: 498,570; 498,570 and 498,570	38,275	38,275	38,275
Common Stock, Shares Outstanding: 2,765; 2,770 and 2,764	28	28	28
Additional Paid-In Capital	152,261	152,261	152,261
Unit Retains	216,035	216,035	207,563
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(106,176)	(108,970)	(70,047)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	4,520	1,180	(6,934)
Total American Crystal Sugar Company Members' Investments	304,943	298,809	321,146
Noncontrolling Interests	40,488	41,381	44,757
Total Members' Investments	345,431	340,190	365,903
Total Liabilities and Members' Investments	$ 1,502,045	$ 899,480	$ 1,311,333