Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	$ 20,220	$ 19,349
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	10,105	7,378
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	10,115	11,971
Rail [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	3,462	3,462
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	3,331	3,299
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	131	163
Rail [Member] | Lease intangible [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	2,222	1,673
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,433	633
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	789	1,040
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	4,096	3,846
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,098	670
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	2,998	3,176
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Non-compete agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,319	1,250
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	847	594
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	472	656
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Acquired marketing agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,607	1,604
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	825	619
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	782	985
Plant Nutrient [Member] | Acquired supply agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	4,846	4,846
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	1,443	926
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	3,403	3,920
Grain [Member] | Customer lists [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	1,250	1,250
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	433	150
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	817	1,100
Grain [Member] | Non-compete agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	175	175
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	46	11
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	129	164
Grain [Member] | Acquired grower agreement [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	300	300
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	175	75
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	125	225
Various [Member] | Acquired Patents and other [Member]
Amortized intangible assets
Amortized intangible assets ,Original Cost	943	943
Amortized intangible assets, Accumulated Amortization	474	401
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net, Total	$ 469	$ 542