Related Parties (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Related Parties (Textuals) [Abstract]
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol	$ 168,700,000	$ 97,500,000	$ 326,700,000	$ 210,100,000
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn	194,400,000	97,600,000	341,100,000	195,200,000
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates	6,700,000		15,300,000
Noncontrolling interest in TAEI is attributed of all gains and losses of TAME	34.00%		34.00%
Investment in convertible preferred securities				13,100,000
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary		100.00%		100.00%
Number of miles of short-line railroads operated by IANR			163
Number of fleets of locomotives in IANR			21
Number of railcars and services in IANR			500
Voting interest in IANR			49.90%
Voting interest held by the common shareholders			50.10%
Rate of dividends accrued			14.00%
Estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR	15,800,000		15,800,000
Number of board of directors			5
Directors from the Company			2
Directors from common shareholders			2
Independent director			1
Number of board of directors required to take key decision			4
Current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR	17,700,000		17,700,000
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends			1,900,000
The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative contracts with related parties	4,100,000		4,100,000
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	66.00%		66.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	50.00%		50.00%
Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative contracts with related parties	$ 2,300,000		$ 2,300,000
% ownership at September 30, 2010 (direct and indirect)	51.00%		51.00%