Business Acquisitions (Details 1) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified				9 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013 Green Plains Grain Company		Dec. 03, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company	Dec. 03, 2012 Other Intangible Assets Green Plains Grain Company	Sep. 30, 2013 Noncompete agreement
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable						$ 19,174
Inventory						121,983
Property, plant and equipment						57,828
Intangible assets						4,600
Goodwill	58,554	51,418	19,226			33,175
Commodity derivatives						4,701
Other assets						1,775
Accounts payable						(91,001)
Debt assumed						(29,632)
Other liabilities and noncontrolling interests						(2,371)
Total Purchase Price						120,232
Weighted average useful life				4 years	[1]
Intangible assets acquired							4,600
Useful Life								2 years
Total identifiable intangible assets						$ 4,600

[1] weighted average number of years