Investment in Debt Securities Estimated fair value of Company investment.

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Number of directors from common shareholders.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Number of Directors from company.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Number of Directors in Board of Directors.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Number of independent director.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Investment in debt securities number of votes of directors required for decision.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities, Ownership percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Ownership percentage held by common shareholders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Rate of dividends accrue to company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
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- Definition

Variable Interest Entity Investment Acquisition Percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Related party derivative asset.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Related party derivative liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
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- Definition

Revenues recognized for the sale of Corn.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Revenues recognized for the sale of Ethanol.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
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- Definition

Variable interest entity unpaid accrued dividends.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6943989&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 19

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5728-111685

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=7880789&loc=d3e5747-111685

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-Publisher FASB

-Name FASB Staff Position (FSP)

-Number FAS140-4/FIN46(R)

-Paragraph C6

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

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Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012 Directors	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates			$ 24.4
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary (percentage)	100.00%		100.00%
Voting interest in IANR (percentage)			49.90%
Voting interest held by the common shareholders (percentage)			50.10%
Rate of dividends accrued annually (percentage)			14.00%
Estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR	17.4		17.4
Number of board of directors (directors)			5
Directors from the Company (directors)			2
Directors from common shareholders (directors)			2
Independent director (directors)			1
Number of board of directors required to take key decision (directors)			4
Current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR	20.9		20.9
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends			3.5
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol	192.8	180.8	489.0	507.5
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn	143.4	147.0	487.8	488.1
Related party, Gross asset	1.7	4.9	1.7	4.9	0.6
Related party, Gross liability	$ 4.5	$ 1.9	$ 4.5	$ 1.9	$ 1.9
The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	66.00%		66.00%
Noncontrolling interest is attributed of all gains and losses of parent (percentage)	34.00%		34.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	50.00%		50.00%