Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Nov. 30, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,159,601	$ 314,029	$ 1,795,561
Receivables	3,581,470	3,590,742	2,759,759
Inventories	3,641,744	3,203,972	3,013,342
Derivative assets	391,467	849,905	402,321
Margin deposits	544,506	1,138,535	272,352
Other current assets	639,042	347,970	376,891
Total current assets	9,957,830	9,445,153	8,620,226
Investments	682,021	673,388	585,565
Property, plant and equipment	2,892,446	2,786,324	2,503,740
Other assets	475,900	518,286	427,158
Total assets	14,008,197	13,423,151	12,136,689
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	876,846	803,622	645,515
Current portion of long-term debt	95,791	108,211	92,133
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	64,862	65,981	64,906
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	395,910	808,047	304,419
Customer advance payments	767,460	685,520	557,398
Checks and drafts outstanding	241,578	205,060	155,656
Accounts payable	3,144,314	2,355,847	2,612,963
Derivative liabilities	280,877	509,005	301,437
Accrued expenses	409,750	476,589	442,138
Dividends and equities payable	719,431	578,809	561,968
Total current liabilities	6,996,819	6,596,691	5,738,533
Long-term debt	1,298,124	1,332,142	1,383,543
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	205,513	268,726	263,770
Other liabilities	822,702	752,269	666,595
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Equity certificates	3,075,909	3,109,616	2,652,974
Preferred stock	319,368	319,368	319,368
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(232,342)	(232,587)	(194,230)
Capital reserves	1,500,802	1,258,944	1,293,033
Total CHS Inc. equities	4,663,737	4,455,341	4,071,145
Noncontrolling interests	21,302	17,982	13,103
Total equities	4,685,039	4,473,323	4,084,248
Total liabilities and equities	$ 14,008,197	$ 13,423,151	$ 12,136,689