Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Even though we have netting arrangements for our exchange-traded futures and options contracts and certain over-the-counter (OTC) contracts, we report our derivatives on a gross basis on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our associated margin deposits are also reported on a gross basis. Many of our derivative contracts with futures and options brokers require us to make both initial margin deposits of cash or other assets and subsequent deposits, depending on changes in commodity prices, in order to comply with applicable regulations. Our margin deposit assets are held by external brokers in segregated accounts and will be used to settle the associated derivative contracts on their specified settlement dates.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries and limited liability companies, which are primarily related to National Cooperative Refinery Association (NCRA), included in our Energy segment. The effects of all significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill was $112.6 million, $85.1 million and $84.2 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively, and is included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We acquired goodwill of $26.7 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, which related primarily to acquisitions in our Ag segment for which we paid $114.4 million in cash consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.

Intangible assets subject to amortization primarily include customer lists, trademarks and agreements not to compete, and are amortized over their respective useful lives (ranging from 2 to 30 years). Excluding goodwill, the gross carrying amount of our intangible assets was $115.3 million, $81.5 million and $82.1 million on May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Accumulated amortization was $49.3 million, $46.0 million and $42.2 million as of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired were $38.8 million and $2.4 million during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Intangible assets acquired during the nine months ended May 31, 2014, primarily relate to acquisitions in our Ag segment. Total amortization expense for intangible assets during the nine months ended May 31, 2014 and 2013, was $7.3 million and $7.4 million, respectively. The estimated annual amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization for the next five years is as follows:    

	(Dollars in thousands)
Year 1	$	9,168
Year 2	8,828
Year 3	7,700
Year 4	6,050
Year 5	3,647
Thereafter	30,695
Total	$	66,088

In our Energy segment, major maintenance activities (turnarounds) at our two refineries are accounted for under the deferral method. Turnarounds are the scheduled and required shutdowns of refinery processing units. The costs related to the significant overhaul and refurbishment activities include materials and direct labor costs. The costs of turnarounds are deferred when incurred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of time estimated to lapse until the next turnaround occurs, which is generally 2 to 4 years. The amortization expense related to turnaround costs is included in cost of goods sold in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. The selection of the deferral method, as opposed to expensing the turnaround costs when incurred, results in deferring recognition of the turnaround expenditures. The deferral method also results in the classification of the related cash outflows as investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, whereas expensing these costs as incurred, would result in classifying the cash outflows as operating activities.    

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-04, "Liabilities." ASU No. 2013-04 requires an entity to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation within the scope of this guidance is fixed at the reporting date, as the sum of the amount the reporting entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. The guidance in this ASU also requires an entity to disclose the nature and amount of the obligation as well as other information about those obligations. The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013. We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2015.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU No. 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those good or services. The guidance also requires an entity to disclose sufficient qualitative and quantitative information surrounding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts from customers. This ASU supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance throughout the Industry Topics of the Codification. The amendments in this standard are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption will have on our consolidated financial statements in fiscal 2018.