Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2013	May 31, 2012
Cash Provided By (Used In) Operating Activities:
Net Proceeds Attributable to American Crystal Sugar Company	$ 766,247	$ 548,462
Payments To/Due Members for Sugarbeets, Net of Unit Retains Declared	(760,204)	(540,337)
Add (Deduct) Non-Cash Items:
Depreciation and Amortization	49,280	49,412
Income from Equity Method Investees		(82)
Loss on the Disposition of Property and Equipment	475	299
Non-Cash Portion of Patronage Dividend from CoBank, ACB		(49)
Deferred Gain Recognition	(47)	(47)
Noncontrolling Interests	4,467	4,756
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Receivables	5,849	12,135
Inventories	(326,558)	(241,052)
Prepaid Expenses	(902)	(889)
Advances To/Due to Related Parties	(3,998)	2,992
Accounts Payable	(20,216)	1,058
Accrued Continuing Costs	128,784	69,609
Other Liabilities	(8,176)	(1,334)
Amounts Due Growers	54,478	(77,379)
Net Cash Used In Operating Activities	(110,521)	(172,446)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment	(40,326)	(25,392)
Purchases of Property and Equipment Held for Lease	(1,534)	(2,154)
Proceeds from the Sale of Property and Equipment	10	1
Equity Refund from CoBank, ACB	1,157	1,266
Changes in Other Assets	(770)	(184)
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities	(41,463)	(26,463)
Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities:
Net Proceeds from Short-Term Debt	186,621	230,810
Long-Term Debt Repayment	(280)	(5,765)
Payment of Unit Retains	(26,203)	(18,793)
Distributions to Noncontrolling Interests	(8,153)	(7,350)
Net Cash Provided By Financing Activities	151,985	198,902
Increase (Decrease) In Cash and Cash Equivalents	1	(7)
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	123	127
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period	124	120
Non-Cash Investing Activities:
Purchases of Property and Equipment not yet paid	$ (6,324)	$ (4,886)