Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 20,390	$ 29,219
Restricted cash	18,651	12,134
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $4,799 in 2011; $5,684 in 2010	167,640	152,227
Inventories	760,459	647,189
Commodity derivative assets - current	83,950	246,475
Deferred income taxes	21,483	16,813
Other current assets	34,649	34,501
Total current assets	1,107,222	1,138,558
Other assets:
Commodity derivative assets - noncurrent	2,289	18,113
Other assets, net	53,327	47,855
Equity method investments	199,061	175,349
Total other assets	254,677	241,317
Railcar assets leased to others, net	197,137	168,483
Property, plant and equipment, net	175,087	151,032
Total assets	1,734,123	1,699,390
Current liabilities:
Borrowings under short-term line of credit	71,500	241,100
Accounts payable for grain	391,905	274,596
Other accounts payable	142,762	111,501
Customer prepayments and deferred revenue	79,557	78,550
Commodity derivative liabilities - current	15,874	57,621
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	60,445	48,851
Current maturities of long-term debt	32,208	24,524
Total current liabilities	794,251	836,743
Other long-term liabilities	43,014	25,183
Commodity derivative liabilities - noncurrent	1,519	3,279
Employee benefit plan obligations	52,972	30,152
Long-term debt, less current maturities	238,885	276,825
Deferred income taxes	64,640	62,649
Total liabilities	1,195,281	1,234,831
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)
Shareholders' equity:
Common shares, without par value, 42,000 shares authorized; 19,198 shares issued	96	96
Preferred shares, without par value, 1,000 shares authorized; none issued
Additional paid-in capital	179,463	177,875
Treasury shares, at cost (697 in 2011; 762 in 2010)	(14,997)	(14,058)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(43,090)	(28,799)
Retained earnings	402,523	316,317
Total shareholders' equity of The Andersons, Inc.	523,995	451,431
Noncontrolling interest	14,847	13,128
Total equity	538,842	464,559
Total liabilities and equity	$ 1,734,123	$ 1,699,390