Investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investment Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2012	Nov. 30, 2011	Aug. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 28,072	$ 24,129
Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	575,137	595,727	574,925
Non-current assets	464,028	460,204	459,070
Current liabilities	200,357	235,469	197,251
Non-current liabilities	277,943	291,816	277,760
Net sales	651,487	665,583
Gross profit	62,123	56,051
Net earnings	20,728	15,102
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 10,364	$ 7,551

The amount of current assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of current liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of gross profit (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of net income (loss) reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of noncurrent assets reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

The amount of noncurrent liabilities reported by an equity method investment of the entity.

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- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

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