Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating activities
Net income	$ 96,825	$ 64,881	$ 39,566
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	40,837	38,913	36,020
Bad debt expense (recovery)	187	(8,716)	4,973
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of distributions received	(23,591)	(17,594)	(15,105)
Gains on sales of railcars and related leases	(8,417)	(7,771)	(1,758)
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement	(307)	(876)	(566)
Deferred income taxes	5,473	12,205	16,430
Gain from pension plan curtailment			(4,132)
Stock based compensation expense	4,071	2,589	2,747
Lower of cost or market inventory and contract adjustment	3,142		2,944
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	1,704	1,682	304
Other	254	215	186
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(15,708)	(848)	(15,259)
Inventories	(114,427)	(214,171)	32,227
Commodity derivatives	134,309	(158,183)	2,211
Other assets	(1,104)	(3,970)	61,938
Accounts payable for grain	117,309	20,703	18,089
Other accounts payable and accrued expenses	49,708	31,656	(574)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	290,265	(239,285)	180,241
Investing activities
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired	(2,365)	(39,293)	(30,480)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(44,162)	(30,897)	(16,560)
Purchases of railcars	(64,161)	(18,354)	(24,965)
Investment in convertible preferred securities		(13,100)
Proceeds from sale of railcars	30,398	20,102	8,453
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment and other	931	1,942	540
Change in restricted cash	(6,517)	(9,010)	803
Investment in affiliates	(121)	(395)	(1,200)
Net cash used in investing activities	(85,997)	(89,005)	(63,409)
Financing activities
Net change in short-term borrowings	(169,600)	241,100
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	73,752	18,986	9,523
Payments of long-term debt	(104,008)	(36,598)	(52,349)
Payment of debt issuance costs	(3,170)	(7,508)	(4,500)
Purchase of treasury stock	(3,040)		(229)
Proceeds from sale of treasury shares to employees and directors	815	1,305	750
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment arrangement	307	876	566
Dividends paid	(8,153)	(6,581)	(6,346)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(213,097)	211,580	(52,585)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(8,829)	(116,710)	64,247
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	29,219	145,929	81,682
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 20,390	$ 29,219	$ 145,929