Business Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 03, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable				$ 19,174,000
Inventory				121,983,000
Property, plant and equipment				57,828,000
Intangible assets				4,600,000
Goodwill	54,387,000	51,418,000	19,226,000	33,175,000
Commodity derivatives				4,701,000
Other assets				1,775,000
Accounts payable				91,001,000
Debt assumed				29,632,000
Other liabilities and noncontrolling interests				2,371,000
Total Purchase Price				$ 120,200,000