Business Acquisition (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 09, 2013 Cycle Group, Inc.	Aug. 05, 2013 Mile Rail	Dec. 03, 2012 Green Plains Grain Company	May 01, 2012 Amaizing Energy Denison LLC	Oct. 30, 2012 Mt Pulaski	Jan. 31, 2012 New Eezy Gro Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Grain elevator								$ 14,285
Accounts receivable							19,174
Inventory					77	512	121,983	10,087	3,757
Other current assets								962
Current assets										5,106
Intangible assets					330	650	4,600	2,373	1,000	9,600
Goodwill	58,554	54,387	12,545	10,141		4,167	33,175		1,985	6,681
Property, plant and equipment					3,825	2,605	57,828	49,693	3,941	3,586
Commodity derivatives							4,701
Other assets						14	1,775
Accounts payable							(91,001)
Current liabilities										3,784
Debt assumed							(29,632)
Deferred tax liability, net										(4,412)
Other liabilities						(144)	(2,371)
Total purchase price					$ 4,232	$ 7,804	$ 120,232	$ 77,400	$ 10,683	$ 16,777