Investments - Schedule of Equity Method Investment Balance Sheet and Statement of Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2012
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 16,760	$ 19,952	$ 44,832	$ 44,081
Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Current assets	555,455	572,810	555,455	572,810	574,925
Non-current assets	480,360	458,569	480,360	458,569	459,070
Current liabilities	237,901	207,345	237,901	207,345	197,251
Non-current liabilities	231,982	285,583	231,982	285,583	277,760
Net sales	588,359	599,330	1,239,846	1,264,913
Gross profit	60,348	59,700	122,471	115,751
Net earnings	21,469	22,210	42,197	37,312
Earnings attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 10,735	$ 11,105	$ 21,099	$ 18,656