Segment Information (Details Textual) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended									12 Months Ended														12 Months Ended						1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 segment	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2013 Plant Nutrient		Dec. 31, 2012 Plant Nutrient		Dec. 31, 2011 Plant Nutrient		Dec. 31, 2013 Grain		Dec. 31, 2012 Grain		Dec. 31, 2011 Grain		Dec. 31, 2013 Rail		Dec. 31, 2012 Rail		Dec. 31, 2011 Rail		Dec. 31, 2013 Railcar	Dec. 31, 2012 Railcar	Dec. 31, 2013 Canada Rail	Dec. 31, 2012 Canada Rail	Dec. 31, 2011 Canada Rail	Dec. 31, 2013 Mexico Rail	Dec. 31, 2012 Mexico Rail	Dec. 31, 2011 Mexico Rail	Dec. 31, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company	Dec. 31, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company Plant Nutrient
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments (business segments)	6
Identifiable assets	$ 2,273,556	$ 2,182,304	$ 1,734,123	$ 268,238	[1]	$ 257,980	[1]	$ 240,543	[1]	$ 921,914	[2]	$ 1,076,986	[2]	$ 883,395	[2]	$ 312,654	[1]	$ 289,467	[1]	$ 246,188	[1]										$ 28,000
Revenues										220,000		261,800		164,800										8,700	10,600	13,300				40,477
Railcar assets leased to others, net	240,621	228,330																				18,300	38,500
Rental and service income-operating leases	$ 78,979	$ 77,916	$ 68,124																								$ 400	$ 400	$ 400

[1] See Note 12. Business Acquisitions for identifiable assets acquired during the periods presented

[2] Decrease related to impact of prices on receivables and commodity derivative assets and lower inventory levels