Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Noncancellable Operating Lease Payments (Details) (USD $)	Aug. 31, 2013
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Operating Lease Commitments
2012	$ 77,846,000
2013	64,068,000
2014	53,968,000
2015	42,560,000
2016	27,615,000
Thereafter	43,725,000
Total minimum future lease payments	309,782,000
Rail Cars
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Operating Lease Commitments
2012	18,875,000
2013	18,331,000
2014	17,310,000
2015	16,203,000
2016	11,608,000
Thereafter	10,830,000
Total minimum future lease payments	93,157,000
Vehicles
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Operating Lease Commitments
2012	13,006,000
2013	9,803,000
2014	6,959,000
2015	4,451,000
2016	2,480,000
Thereafter	685,000
Total minimum future lease payments	37,384,000
Equipment and Other
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Operating Lease Commitments
2012	45,965,000
2013	35,934,000
2014	29,699,000
2015	21,906,000
2016	13,527,000
Thereafter	32,210,000
Total minimum future lease payments	179,241,000
CHS [Member]
Schedule of Future Minimum Payments on Operating Lease Commitments
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$ 1,000,000,000