Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	May. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,101,872	$ 2,133,207
Receivables	3,073,731	2,988,563
Inventories	3,118,838	2,760,253
Derivative assets	605,024	603,933
Margin deposits	266,151	301,045
Supplier advance payments	514,203	331,345
Other current assets	420,310	279,304
Total current assets	9,100,129	9,397,650
Investments	998,671	923,227
Property, plant and equipment	4,648,282	4,031,023
Other assets	972,177	795,079
Total assets	15,719,259	15,146,979
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	1,272,048	1,159,473
Current portion of long-term debt	150,079	156,836
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	151,627	65,981
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	185,690	265,556
Customer advance payments	609,075	602,374
Checks and Drafts Outstanding	107,599	167,846
Accounts payable	1,917,428	2,208,211
Derivative liabilities	529,172	599,990
Accrued expenses	547,130	547,781
Dividends and equities payable	301,577	409,961
Total current liabilities	5,771,425	6,184,009
Long-term debt	1,171,604	1,299,664
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	148,756
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	595,004	566,647
Other liabilities	$ 459,806	$ 481,059
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Preferred stock	$ 2,167,540	$ 1,190,177
Equity certificates	3,742,389	3,816,428
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(160,267)	(156,757)
Capital reserves	1,960,533	1,598,660
Total CHS Inc. equities	7,710,195	6,448,508
Noncontrolling interests	11,225	18,336
Total equities	7,721,420	6,466,844
Total liabilities and equities	$ 15,719,259	$ 15,146,979