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

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Purchase and Sales Contracts

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

	May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sales Contracts
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	717,181	969,100	521,979	806,295	519,293	806,244
Energy products - barrels	20,517	35,676	12,626	21,312	13,833	20,125
Soy products - tons	33	962	24	847	70	325
Crop nutrients - tons	1,077	1,194	968	1,050	675	778
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	1,148	290	1,225	151	888	130
Rail freight - rail cars	339	159	220	43	242	39
Livestock - pounds	—	47,800	—	17,280	7,760	—

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

	May 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	$	510,258	$	—	$	32,678	$	477,580
Foreign exchange derivatives	5,043		—		—		5,043
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	9,160		—		—		9,160
Total Derivative Assets	$	524,461	$	—	$	32,678	$	491,783
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	452,289	$	56,423	$	32,678	$	363,188
Foreign exchange derivatives	3,883		—		—		3,883
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	304		—		—		304
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	456,476	$	56,423	$	32,678	$	367,375

	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

	May 31, 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	$	544,198	$	—	$	52,103	$	492,095
Foreign exchange derivatives	182		—		77		105
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	2		—		—		2
Total Derivative Assets	$	544,382	$	—	$	52,180	$	492,202
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	410,148	$	—	$	52,103	$	358,045
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,153		—		77		2,076
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	170		—		—		170
Total Derivative Liabilities	$	412,471	$	—	$	52,180	$	360,291

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 nine months ended May 31, 2014. As of May 31, 2014, August 31, 2013 and May 31, 2013, the unrealized gains deferred to accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

	May 31, 2014		August 31, 2013		May 31, 2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax expense of $0, $9.2 million and $3.5 million, respectively	$	—	$	14,930	$	5,666

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 nine months endedMay 31, 2014 and 2013.

		For the Three Months Ended May 31,						For the Nine Months Ended May 31,
	Location of Gain (Loss)	2014			2013			2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	157,461		$	(22,457	)	$	218,883		$	(452,747	)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(5,685		)	(13,648		)	(7,688		)	2,570
Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net	24			114			74			240
Total		$	151,800		$	(35,991	)	$	211,269		$	(449,937	)