Equity method investment company's investment balance in each equity method investees by entity.

Name:	ande_EquityMethodInvestmentCompanysInvestmentBalanceInEachEquityMethodInvesteesByEntityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ande
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity method investment income loss by entity.

+ Details

Name:	ande_EquityMethodInvestmentIncomeLossByEntityAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	ande
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Equity method investment ownership percentage maximum.

+ Details

Name:	ande_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	ande
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Equity method investment ownership percentage minimum.

+ Details

Name:	ande_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentageMinimum
Namespace Prefix:	ande
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

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

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 159

-Paragraph 18

-Subparagraph f

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 20

-Subparagraph a (1)

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	us-types:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the carrying amount on the entity's balance sheet of its investment in common stock of an equity method investee. This is not an indicator of the fair value of the investment, rather it is the initial cost adjusted for the entity's share of earnings and losses of the investee, adjusted for any distributions (dividends) and other than temporary impairment losses recognized.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. Such amount typically reflects adjustments similar to those made in preparing consolidated statements, including adjustments to eliminate intercompany gains and losses, and to amortize, if appropriate, any difference between cost and underlying equity in net assets of the investee at the date of investment.

+ References

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

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 19

-Subparagraph c

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

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 7

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 95

-Paragraph 28

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher AICPA

-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)

-Number 18

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph b

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Related Party Transactions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Dec. 31, 2010
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	$ 9,731	$ (1,096)	$ 29,489	$ 15,476
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	189,118	165,421	189,118	165,421	175,349
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	50.00%		50.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	1,190	(177)	3,720	3,745
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	31,764	30,876	31,764	30,876	31,048
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	38.00%		38.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	211	(108)	3,130	4,823
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	40,318	37,001	40,318	37,001	37,496
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	50.00%		50.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	1,868	(2,350)	4,516	34
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	39,445	33,847	39,445	33,847	34,929
Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	52.00%		52.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	6,518	1,538	18,030	6,696
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	75,693	62,267	75,693	62,267	70,143
Other [Member]
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments by entity
Equity method investment ownership percentage, minimum	7.00%		7.00%
Equity method investment ownership percentage, maximum	33.00%		33.00%
Income (losses) earned from the Company's equity method investments	(56)	1	93	178
Company's investment balance in each of its equity method investees by entity
Equity method investments	$ 1,898	$ 1,430	$ 1,898	$ 1,430	$ 1,733