Business Acquisition Business Acquisition 3 (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company	Dec. 31, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company	Dec. 31, 2011 Green Plains Grain Company
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues				$ 40,477
Net income	75,565	96,825	64,881	(785)
Supplemental pro forma revenue					566,821	585,572
Supplemental pro forma, Operating Income (Loss)					1,632	1,430
Combined entity pro forma, Revenue	5,798,354	5,161,903
Combined entity, Operating Income (Loss)	$ 122,550	$ 149,308