Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	May 31, 2012
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Grain and Oilseed	$ 1,344,265	$ 1,625,865	$ 1,249,067
Energy	682,528	701,348	691,424
Crop nutrients	237,487	401,655	202,194
Feed and farm supplies	564,424	384,178	405,781
Processed grain and oilseed	97,212	76,892	75,299
Other	11,726	14,034	10,969
Inventories	$ 2,937,642	$ 3,203,972	$ 2,634,734

Agricultural Related Inventory, Grain and Oilseed

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- Definition

Agricultural Related Inventory, Processed Crops

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Inventories of certain merchandisable agricultural commodities are stated at market value. In addition, the Company values certain inventories using the lower of cost, determined by either first-in, first-out (FIFO) or last-in, first-out (LIFO) methods, or market.

+ References

No definition available.

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- Definition

Other Inventory, Net

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of materials capitalized as inventory because of their use in the growth and maintenance of animals and crops.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph a

-Article 5

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of products that are used in the growth of plant goods (examples would include seeds, soil, fertilizers and other products).

+ References

+ Details

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- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies relating to a source of usable power held for future sale or future use in manufacturing or production process.

+ References

+ Details

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- Details

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