Segment Reporting (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2013

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information Profit Loss And Revenue Percentage [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes segment and other results and assets (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended October 31,				Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Net sales and revenue:
Alternative energy	$	166,039	$	178,495	$	519,653	$	481,938
Real estate		466		354		1,214		974
Total net sales and revenues	$	166,505	$	178,849	$	520,867	$	482,912
Segment gross profit (loss):
Alternative energy	$	18,002	$	3,686	$	37,918	$	16,224
Real estate		176		55		340		(21	)
Total gross profit	$	18,178	$	3,741	$	38,258	$	16,203

	Three Months Ended October 31,						Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Segment profit (loss):
Alternative energy	$	16,491		$	1,586		$	34,231		$	6,478
Real estate		115			(6	)		157			(218	)
Corporate expense, net		(608	)		(601	)		(2,023	)		(1,717	)
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and noncontrolling interests	$	15,998		$	979		$	32,365		$	4,543

	Three Months Ended October 31,						Nine Months Ended October 31,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Sales of products alternative energy segment:
Ethanol		76	%		74	%		75	%		76	%
Dried distillers grains		19	%		19	%		18	%		18	%
Modified distillers grains		2	%		4	%		4	%		3	%
Other		3	%		3	%		3	%		3	%
Total		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%
Sales of services real estate segment:
Lease revenue		100	%		100	%		100	%		100	%

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information Assets [Table Text Block]

	October 31, 2013		January 31, 2013
Assets:
Alternative energy	$	354,152	$	337,857
Real estate		9,650		13,326
Corporate		46,903		54,147
Total assets	$	410,705	$	405,330