Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 29,199	$ 45,218	$ 47,606	$ 62,484
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock	146	205	179	235
Earnings available to common shareholders	$ 29,053	$ 45,013	$ 47,427	$ 62,249
Earnings per share - basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	18,541	18,485	18,522	18,469
Earnings per common share - basic (dollars per share)	$ 1.57	$ 2.44	$ 2.56	$ 3.37
Earnings per share - diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	18,541	18,485	18,522	18,469
Effect of dilutive awards (shares)	132	134	166	168
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	18,673	18,619	18,688	18,637
Earnings per common share - diluted (dollars per share)	$ 1.56	$ 2.42	$ 2.54	$ 3.34
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding (shares)			0	0