Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Sep. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010
Classes of inventories
Grain	$ 253,246	$ 497,267	$ 312,919
Agricultural fertilizer and supplies	151,099	90,182	68,580
Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products	22,794	32,954	21,527
Retail merchandise	28,386	24,416	26,901
Railcar repair parts	2,434	2,058	2,212
Other	355	312	309
Total inventories	$ 458,314	$ 647,189	$ 432,448

Grain inventory.

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- Definition

Lawn and garden fertilizer and corncob products inventory.

+ Details

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- Definition

Railcar repair parts inventory.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of products that are used in the growth of plant goods (examples would include seeds, soil, fertilizers and other products).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount (lower of cost or market) as of the balance sheet date of inventories less all valuation and other allowances. Excludes noncurrent inventory balances (expected to remain on hand past one year or one operating cycle, if longer).

+ Details

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- Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of inventories of a nature not otherwise specified in the taxonomy.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB)

-Number 43

-Chapter 3

-Section A

-Paragraph 9

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise inventory purchased by a retailer, wholesaler or distributor and held for future sale.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

+ Details

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