Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2013	Feb. 29, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 621,399	$ 568,117
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	116,912	104,732
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	14,779	18,044
Income from equity investments	(44,832)	(44,081)
Distributions from equity investments	39,492	50,769
Noncash patronage dividends received	(4,277)	(2,438)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,725)	(2,916)
Loss (gain) on investments	(45)	446
Loss on crack spread contingent liability	13,471	(4,185)
Deferred taxes	(315)	1,944
Other, net	293	438
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	308,386	393,142
Inventories	(404,607)	(466,016)
Derivative assets	575,432	428,996
Margin deposits	786,409	691,191
Other current assets and other assets	(444,051)	(205,241)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(529,860)	(497,420)
Customer advance payments	600,341	286,325
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(280,425)	(509,292)
Derivative liabilities	(302,396)	(187,220)
Other liabilities	(33,321)	(19,500)
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,030,060	605,835
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(264,332)	(197,887)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	3,900	1,843
Expenditures for major repairs	(9,248)	(19,836)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(9,718)	(15,223)
Investments redeemed	3,132	2,599
Changes in notes receivable	46,963	42,423
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(8,074)	(158,214)
Other investing activities, net	(397)	1,742
Net cash used in investing activities	(237,774)	(342,553)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	55,994	(146,687)
Principal payments	(50,871)	(39,865)
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest payments	(65,981)
Payments for bank fees		(12,390)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	2,755	(8,374)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(740)	(77,519)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(12,272)	(12,272)
Retirements Of Equities	(179,369)	(130,566)
Cash Patronage Dividends Paid	(380,892)	(260,126)
Other financing activities, net	1,112	(17)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(630,264)	(687,816)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	2,290	(5,089)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	164,312	(429,623)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	314,029	937,685
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 478,341	$ 508,062