Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:
Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company	$ 289,479	$ 186,721
Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared	(286,139)	(183,940)
Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:
Depreciation and Amortization	17,087	17,515
Income from Equity Method Investees		(19)
Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment	18	21
Deferred Gain Recognition	(16)	(16)
Noncontrolling Interests	1,732	1,552
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Receivables	(7,734)	2,145
Inventories	(629,220)	(474,258)
Prepaid Expenses	(1,856)	(1,646)
Advances To/Due to Related Parties	24,725	28,310
Accounts Payable	(11,277)	10,414
Accrued Continuing Costs	67,970	18,810
Other Liabilities	(7,353)	(5,868)
Amounts Due Growers	284,006	118,371
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(258,578)	(281,888)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment	(13,082)	(11,247)
Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease	(950)	(573)
Changes in Other Assets	(512)	(122)
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(14,544)	(11,942)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:
Net Proceeds from Short-Term Debt	275,750	295,615
Payment of Unit Retains		(36)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests	(2,625)	(1,749)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	273,125	293,830
Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents	3
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	123	127
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	126	127
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment not yet paid	$ (7,975)	$ (5,925)