Long-Term Debt (Schedule Of Debt Instruments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2014
Total debt	$ 820,260	$ 798,065	$ 626,622
Less: Current maturities	1,022	1,003	1,022
Long-term debt	819,238	797,062	625,600
Fiscal year maturity	2019
Stated percentage in the debt instrument	6.50%
Credit Facility Revolver [Member]
Total debt	183,000	0	0
Fiscal year maturity	2019
Industrial Development Bonds [Member]
Total debt	41,200	41,200	41,200
Long-term debt	41,200
Fiscal year maturity	2020
Employee Housing Bonds [Member]
Total debt	52,575	52,575	52,575
6.50% Notes [Member]
Total debt	215,000	390,000	215,000
Long-term debt	215,000
Fiscal year maturity	2019
Stated percentage in the debt instrument	6.50%
Long term debt interest rate		6.50%
Canyons Obligation [Member]
Total debt	313,258	307,706	311,858
Fiscal year maturity	2063
Other [Member]
Total debt	$ 15,227	$ 6,584	$ 5,989
Maximum [Member] | Employee Housing Bonds [Member]
Fiscal year maturity, end	May 01, 2039
Maximum [Member] | Other [Member]
Fiscal year maturity, end	Jul. 31, 2029
Minimum [Member] | Employee Housing Bonds [Member]
Fiscal year maturity, start	Jun. 01, 2027
Minimum [Member] | Other [Member]
Fiscal year maturity, start	Jul. 31, 2015