Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 733,960	$ 314,029	$ 689,281
Receivables	3,916,562	3,590,742	3,348,808
Inventories	2,937,642	3,203,972	2,634,734
Derivative assets	287,664	849,905	359,102
Margin deposits	371,368	1,138,535	331,104
Other current assets	334,099	347,970	294,463
Total current assets	8,581,295	9,445,153	7,657,492
Investments	737,526	673,388	632,215
Property, plant and equipment	3,044,582	2,786,324	2,706,674
Other assets	514,406	518,286	476,973
Total assets	12,877,809	13,423,151	11,473,354
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	872,138	803,622	621,921
Current portion of long-term debt	183,126	108,211	89,158
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,603	65,981	65,622
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	211,253	808,047	282,944
Customer advance payments	582,940	685,520	514,867
Checks and drafts outstanding	187,144	205,060	163,583
Accounts payable	2,345,068	2,355,847	1,876,851
Derivative liabilities	219,679	509,005	297,043
Accrued expenses	595,968	476,589	529,510
Dividends and equities payable	358,536	578,809	361,391
Total current liabilities	5,621,455	6,596,691	4,802,890
Long-term debt	1,300,931	1,332,142	1,392,218
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	208,099	268,726	267,070
Other liabilities	740,471	752,269	633,850
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Equity certificates	3,017,689	3,109,616	2,602,898
Preferred stock	319,368	319,368	319,368
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(226,735)	(232,587)	(196,934)
Capital reserves	1,874,644	1,258,944	1,635,819
Total CHS Inc. equities	4,984,966	4,455,341	4,361,151
Noncontrolling interests	21,887	17,982	16,175
Total equities	5,006,853	4,473,323	4,377,326
Total liabilities and equities	$ 12,877,809	$ 13,423,151	$ 11,473,354