Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,808,532	$ 314,029
Receivables	3,270,311	3,590,742
Inventories	2,664,735	3,203,972
Derivative assets	499,890	1,071,778
Margin deposits	340,905	1,138,535
Other current assets	326,387	347,970
Total current assets	8,910,760	9,667,026
Investments	765,946	673,388
Property, plant and equipment	3,171,404	2,786,324
Other assets	656,160	518,286
Total assets	13,504,270	13,645,024
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	889,312	803,622
Current portion of long-term debt	156,612	108,211
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,981	65,981
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	299,364	808,047
Customer advance payments	432,097	685,520
Checks and drafts outstanding	185,660	205,060
Accounts payable	2,416,038	2,236,866
Derivative liabilities	465,066	849,859
Accrued expenses	485,070	476,589
Dividends and equities payable	390,153	578,809
Total current liabilities	5,785,353	6,818,564
Long-term debt	1,450,420	1,332,142
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	209,419	268,726
Other liabilities	906,331	752,269
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Equity certificates	3,588,346	3,109,616
Preferred stock	319,368	319,368
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(156,867)	(232,587)
Capital reserves	1,380,361	1,258,944
Total CHS Inc. equities	5,131,208	4,455,341
Noncontrolling interests	21,539	17,982
Total equities	5,152,747	4,473,323
Total liabilities and equities	$ 13,504,270	$ 13,645,024