Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 996,328	$ 1,335,719	$ 1,061,028
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	241,791	219,632	220,694
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	34,847	33,641	30,474
Income from equity investments	(97,350)	(102,389)	(131,414)
Proceeds from Equity Method Investment, Dividends or Distributions	62,761	75,468	137,766
Noncash patronage dividends received	(16,644)	(10,461)	(9,697)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(6,234)	(5,564)	(5,200)
Loss (gain) on investments	(182)	5,465	(126,729)
Loss on crack spread contingent liability	23,109	22,328
Deferred taxes	92,717	58,624	67,089
Other, net	5,714	481	868
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	123,951	(512,034)	(714,589)
Inventories	557,331	(252,842)	(796,596)
Derivative assets	610,023	(185,930)	(422,374)
Margin deposits	812,616	(51,241)	(462,857)
Other current assets and other assets	19,780	(35,375)	(137,749)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(509,548)	56,177	327,813
Customer advance payments	(260,449)	61,978	163,640
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	171,878	(167,025)	870,314
Derivative liabilities	(395,454)	111,481	213,225
Other liabilities	10,815	60,503	15,617
Net cash provided by operating activities	2,477,800	718,636	301,323
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(659,373)	(468,611)	(310,670)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	7,727	27,839	9,496
Expenditures for major repairs	(73,701)	(23,443)	(92,129)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(21,364)	(94,757)	(6,090)
Investments redeemed	13,021	12,112	39,681
Proceeds from sale of investments	1,250		225,000
Changes in notes receivable	211,935	19,040	(347,509)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(12,711)	(166,033)	(67,489)
Other investing activities, net	(1,742)	(342)	(1,259)
Net cash used in investing activities	(534,958)	(694,195)	(550,969)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	85,910	(27,561)	457,731
Long-term debt borrowings	280,000		631,882
Principal payments	(113,583)	(96,619)	(114,929)
Payments for bank fees	(9,593)	(12,390)	(5,348)
Payments for Repurchase of Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest	(65,981)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(20,392)	6,353	63,033
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(1,442)	(78,602)	(18,184)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(24,544)	(24,544)	(24,544)
Retirements of equities	(193,413)	(145,722)	(61,193)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(380,947)	(260,666)	(141,513)
Other financing activities, net	811	878	(20)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(443,174)	(638,873)	786,915
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5,165)	(9,224)	5,753
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	1,494,503	(623,656)	543,022
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	314,029	937,685	394,663
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,808,532	$ 314,029	$ 937,685