Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Purchase and Sales Contracts

As of May 31, 2013, August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:

	May 31, 2013		August 31, 2012		May 31, 2012
	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	519,293	806,244	722,895	1,074,535	590,021	843,934
Energy products - barrels	13,833	20,125	9,047	19,561	9,271	14,012
Soy products - tons	70	325	15	215	10	250
Crop nutrients - tons	675	778	600	725	699	894
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	888	130	1,018	183	1,215	234

Schedule of Derivative Assets and Liabilities Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

As of May 31, 2013, August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the gross fair values of our derivative assets and liabilities not designated as hedging instruments were as follows:

	May 31, 2013		August 31, 2012		May 31, 2012
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	510,258	$	1,070,800	$	686,042
Foreign exchange derivatives	5,043		978		3,843
	$	515,301	$	1,071,778	$	689,885
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	452,289	$	727,946	$	623,911
Foreign exchange derivatives	3,883		2,388		3,379
Interest rate derivatives	304		544		535
	$	456,476	$	730,878	$	627,825

Schedule of Derivative Instruments in Statement of Financial Position, Fair Value [Table Text Block]

As of May 31, 2013, August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the gross fair values of our derivative assets and liabilities designated as cash flow hedging instruments were as follows:

	May 31, 2013		August 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Derivative Assets:
Interest rate swaps	$	9,160

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

During the second quarter of fiscal 2013, we entered into derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments that expire in fiscal 2014 with $0.1 million expected to be included in earnings during the next 12 months. As of May 31, 2013, August 31, 2012 and May 31, 2012, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

	May 31, 2013		August 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Gains included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $3.5 million	$	5,666

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months endedMay 31, 2013 and 2012.

		For the Three Months Ended May 31,					For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
	Location of Gain (Loss)	2013			2012		2013			2012
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	(22,457	)	$	149,464	$	(452,747	)	$	(125,437	)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(13,648		)	950		2,570			(3,434		)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net	114			36		240			36
		$	(35,991	)	$	150,450	$	(449,937	)	$	(128,835	)

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense

The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:

Year 1	$	10,009
Year 2	6,633
Year 3	5,964
Year 4	5,041
Year 5	3,193
Thereafter	9,018
	$	39,858