Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 17,728	$ 17,388
Other comprehensive income, net of tax:
Unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost (net of income tax of $240 and $111)	401	186
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $38 and $57)	64	95
Other comprehensive income	465	281
Comprehensive income	18,193	17,669
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interest	(679)	122
Comprehensive income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 18,872	$ 17,547