Related Party Transactions (Details 1)		Sep. 30, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Reduction in ownership percentage (percentage)		0.60%
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		55.00%
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		39.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		33.00%	50.00%
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[1]	33.00%
Thompsons Limited
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	[2]	50.00%
Other | Minimum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		5.00%
Other | Maximum
Income Earned From Companys Equity Method Investments By Entity [Abstract]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)		50.00%

[1] This does not consider restricted management units which once vested will reduce the ownership percentage by approximately 0.6%

[2] Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures