Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 16,884	$ 10,925	$ 64,490	$ 73,409
Less: Distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to nonvested restricted stock	95	44	309	283
Earnings available to common shareholders	$ 16,789	$ 10,881	$ 64,181	$ 73,126
Earnings per share - basic:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	18,534	18,469	18,516	18,469
Earnings per common share - basic (dollars per share)	$ 0.91	$ 0.59	$ 3.47	$ 3.96
Earnings per share - diluted:
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic (shares)	18,534	18,469	18,516	18,469
Effect of dilutive awards (shares)	114	118	171	166
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	18,648	18,587	18,687	18,635
Earnings per common share - diluted (dollars per share)	$ 0.90	$ 0.59	$ 3.43	$ 3.92
Earnings Per Share (Textual) [Abstract]
Antidilutive stock-based awards outstanding (shares)			0	0