Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities Derivative Financial Insturments and Hedging Activities (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2014

Aug. 31, 2013

Feb. 28, 2013

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Purchase and Sales Contracts

As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sales contracts:

	February 28, 2014		August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	651,998	1,009,946	521,979	806,295	605,309	906,758
Energy products - barrels	29,067	32,897	12,626	21,312	12,103	21,575
Soy products - tons	16	784	24	847	32	333
Crop nutrients - tons	2,067	2,535	968	1,050	1,553	2,128
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,520	234	1,225	151	933	125
Rail freight - rail cars	298	157	220	43	153	41
Livestock - pounds		10,800		17,280	2,920	2,520

Reconciliation of gross and net fair values of assets and liabilities subject to offsetting arrangements [Table Text Block]

	February 28, 2014
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	615,178			$	53,153	$	562,025
Foreign exchange derivatives	6,345				1,941		4,404
Total Derivative Assets	$	621,523			$	55,094	$	566,429
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	550,870	$	26,329	$	53,152	$	471,389
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,629				1,941		688
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	194						194
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	553,693	$	26,329	$	55,093	$	472,271

	August 31, 2013
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	468,673			$	53,107	$	415,566
Foreign exchange derivatives	7,079				957		6,122
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	24,135						24,135
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	3				3
Total Derivative Assets	$	499,890			$	54,067	$	445,823
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	458,893	$	1,591	$	53,107	$	404,195
Foreign exchange derivatives	5,925				957		4,968
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	248				3		245
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	465,066	$	1,591	$	54,067	$	409,408

	February 28, 2013
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	485,222	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	427,014
Foreign exchange derivatives	15,497						15,497
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	459						459
Total Derivative Assets	$	501,178	$	12,555	$	45,653	$	442,970
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	428,866	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	374,346
Foreign exchange derivatives	691						691
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	418						418
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	429,975	$	8,867	$	45,653	$	375,455

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

In fiscal 2013, we entered into derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedging instruments that were terminated in February 2014 as the issuance of the underlying debt was no longer probable. As a result, a $13.5 million gain was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into net income. This pre-tax gain is included as a component of interest, net in the consolidated statements of operations for the three and six months endedFebruary 28, 2014. As of February 28, 2014, August 31, 2013 and February 28, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

	February 28, 2014	August 31, 2013		February 28, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $9.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively		$	14,930	$	284

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) in Consolidated Statements of Operations

The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months endedFebruary 28, 2014 and 2013.

		For the Three Months Ended						For the Six Months Ended
	Location of Gain (Loss)	February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013			February 28, 2014			February 28, 2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	81,210		$	(102,006	)	$	61,421		$	(430,290	)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(1,581		)	17,903			(2,003		)	16,218
Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net	52			64			51			126
Total		$	79,681		$	(84,039	)	$	59,469		$	(413,946	)