Segment Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	$ 1,208,492	$ 1,312,082	$ 2,158,581	$ 2,315,376
Inter-segment sales	831	3,659	3,018	4,058
Income (loss) before income taxes	50,367	75,084	55,405	114,985
Identifiable assets	2,152,365	1,892,628	2,152,365	1,892,628	$ 2,364,692
Grain
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	625,316	656,004	1,210,478	1,239,163
Inter-segment sales	440	3,362	2,129	3,362
Income (loss) before income taxes	3,149	10,355	3,892	21,661
Identifiable assets	867,655	823,957	867,655	823,957	1,137,437
Ethanol
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	139,432	226,388	277,612	415,208
Income (loss) before income taxes	9,667	33,904	14,946	53,728
Identifiable assets	194,359	255,077	194,359	255,077	197,888
Plant Nutrient
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	357,186	354,808	511,137	506,163
Inter-segment sales	148	188	465	478
Income (loss) before income taxes	18,873	27,002	19,297	26,966
Identifiable assets	517,586	320,937	517,586	320,937	433,013
Rail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	45,523	33,409	89,739	85,711
Inter-segment sales	243	109	424	218
Income (loss) before income taxes	21,689	6,684	32,002	21,729
Identifiable assets	395,798	312,354	395,798	312,354	365,531
Retail
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales and merchandising revenues	41,035	41,473	69,615	69,131
Income (loss) before income taxes	1,469	1,637	(714)	(698)
Identifiable assets	45,194	46,319	45,194	46,319	44,536
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(5,786)	(9,567)	(15,173)	(16,791)
Identifiable assets	131,773	133,984	131,773	133,984	$ 186,287
Noncontrolling Interests
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	$ 1,306	$ 5,069	$ 1,155	$ 8,390

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

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