Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	May 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013	May 31, 2013
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,549,498	$ 1,808,532	$ 733,960
Receivables	3,481,706	2,935,478	3,500,681
Inventories	2,837,873	2,664,735	2,937,642
Derivative assets	544,382	499,890	524,461
Margin deposits	382,016	340,905	371,368
Supplier advance payments	640,528	398,441	577,398
Other current assets	211,794	262,779	172,582
Total current assets	9,647,797	8,910,760	8,818,092
Investments	907,738	765,946	737,526
Property, plant and equipment	3,670,245	3,171,404	3,044,582
Other assets	719,167	656,160	514,406
Total assets	14,944,947	13,504,270	13,114,606
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	1,129,819	889,312	872,138
Current portion of long-term debt	156,480	156,612	183,126
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,583	65,981	65,603
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	251,132	299,364	211,253
Customer advance payments	887,273	432,097	582,940
Checks and drafts outstanding	181,333	185,660	187,144
Accounts payable	2,217,916	2,416,038	2,345,068
Derivative liabilities	412,471	465,066	456,476
Accrued expenses	469,581	485,070	595,968
Dividends and equities payable	375,224	390,153	358,536
Total current liabilities	6,146,812	5,785,353	5,858,252
Long-term debt	1,310,892	1,450,420	1,300,931
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	147,801	209,419	208,099
Other liabilities	1,022,551	906,331	740,471
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Preferred stock	1,022,346	319,368	319,368
Equity certificates	3,483,868	3,588,346	3,017,689
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(159,235)	(156,867)	(226,735)
Capital reserves	1,951,331	1,380,361	1,874,644
Total CHS Inc. equities	6,298,310	5,131,208	4,984,966
Noncontrolling interests	18,581	21,539	21,887
Total equities	6,316,891	5,152,747	5,006,853
Total liabilities and equities	$ 14,944,947	$ 13,504,270	$ 13,114,606