Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2011
Related Party Transactions (Textual) [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interest in TAEI is attributed of all gains and losses of TAME	34.00%
Reduction in ownership percentage	2.00%
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 12.9
Percentage of new shares acquired from subsidiary	100.00%
Voting interest in IANR	49.90%
Voting interest held by the common shareholders	50.10%
Estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR	20.4
Rate of dividends accrued annually	14.00%
Number of board of directors	5
Related party, Gross liability	0.9	10.9	1.9
Related party, Gross asset	2.4	18.2	0.6
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol	143.0	158.0
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn	179.1	146.7
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	22.7
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends	$ 2.3
The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest	66.00%
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest	50.00%
Lansing Trade Group LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest	51.00%
The Andersons Clymers Ethanol LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest	38.00%
The Andersons Albion Ethanol LLC [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest	50.00%