Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:
Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company	$ 515,480	$ 398,977
Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared	(510,320)	(391,806)
Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:
Depreciation and Amortization	34,228	34,560
Income from Equity Method Investees		(63)
Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment	455	41
Deferred Gain Recognition	(32)	(32)
Noncontrolling Interests	3,033	3,076
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Receivables	(2,608)	20,212
Inventories	(451,090)	(431,732)
Prepaid Expenses	(1,269)	(1,145)
Advances To/Due to Related Parties	10,983	9,373
Accounts Payable	(21,433)	(2,741)
Accrued Continuing Costs	94,816	85,269
Other Liabilities	3,577	13,716
Amounts Due Growers	176,324	64,345
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(147,856)	(197,950)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment	(22,536)	(17,628)
Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease	(1,164)	(1,079)
Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment	10
Changes in Other Assets	(571)	(174)
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(24,261)	(18,881)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:
Net Proceeds from Short-Term Debt	203,688	239,898
Redemption of Common Stock	(1)
Payment of Unit Retains	(26,178)	(18,680)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests	(5,230)	(4,381)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	172,279	216,837
Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents	162	6
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	123	127
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	285	133
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment not yet paid	$ (7,518)	$ (4,892)