Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 28, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Feb. 29, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and Cash Equivalents	$ 285	$ 123	$ 133
Receivables:
Trade	84,336	72,314	64,869
Members	57	4,817
Other	1,284	5,938	3,984
Advances to Related Parties	20,596	34,619	21,089
Inventories	723,776	272,686	675,770
Prepaid Expenses	2,173	904	1,894
Total Current Assets	832,507	391,401	767,739
Property and Equipment:
Land and Land Improvements	88,826	88,186	84,054
Buildings	137,334	137,156	135,467
Equipment	1,034,437	1,023,625	998,340
Construction in Progress	10,615	9,353	7,768
Less Accumulated Depreciation	(878,661)	(852,369)	(842,967)
Net Property and Equipment	392,551	405,951	382,662
Net Property and Equipment Held for Lease	79,382	84,095	88,193
Other Assets:
Investments in CoBank, ACB	6,131	6,131	7,348
Investments in Marketing Cooperatives	82	82	1,225
Other Assets	11,994	11,820	12,140
Total Other Assets	18,207	18,033	20,713
Total Assets	1,322,647	899,480	1,259,307
Current Liabilities:
Short-Term Debt	314,328	110,640	306,095
Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt	280	280	5,765
Accounts Payable	25,960	54,911	26,009
Advances Due to Related Parties	2,267	5,307	3,109
Accrued Continuing Costs	94,816		85,269
Other Current Liabilities	53,336	50,055	51,353
Amounts Due Growers	275,683	99,359	225,231
Total Current Liabilities	766,670	320,552	702,831
Long-Term Debt, Net of Current Maturities	128,360	128,360	128,640
Accrued Employee Benefits	92,456	94,653	60,654
Advances Due to Related Parties	4,597	5,033
Other Liabilities	7,871	10,692	15,263
Total Liabilities	999,954	559,290	907,388
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: 2,747; 2,772 and 2,764	27	28	28
Additional Paid-In Capital	152,261	152,261	152,261
Unit Retains	189,857	216,035	188,919
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(103,251)	(108,970)	(68,668)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	6,340	1,180	(2,544)
Total American Crystal Sugar Company Members' Investments	283,509	298,809	308,271
Noncontrolling Interests	39,184	41,381	43,648
Total Members' Investments	322,693	340,190	351,919
Total Liabilities and Members' Investments	$ 1,322,647	$ 899,480	$ 1,259,307