Related Party Transactions (Details Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011 Person Segments Ton Gallon Bushel	Sep. 30, 2010
Related Party Transactions (Textuals) [Abstract]
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol	$ 180,800,000	$ 118,200,000		$ 507,500,000	$ 328,300,000
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn	147,000,000	101,200,000		488,100,000	296,400,000
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates	500,000			15,800,000
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		13,100,000
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary			100.00%
Voting interest in IANR				49.90%
Voting interest held by the common shareholders				50.10%
Rate of dividends accrued annually				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	17,300,000			17,300,000
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends				1,500,000
The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative contracts with related parties	4,900,000			4,900,000
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	66.00%			66.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (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	$ 1,900,000			$ 1,900,000
% ownership at September 30, 2011 (direct and indirect)	52.00%			52.00%