Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2015

Derivatives Policy [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Purchase and Sales Contracts [Table Text Block]

	2015		2014
	Long	Short	Long	Short
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	711,066	895,326	655,799	802,479
Energy products - barrels	17,238	11,676	20,191	16,431
Soy products - tons	706	2,741	749	3,047
Crop nutrients - tons	48	116	59	126
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	5,916	1,962	5,727	4,250
Rail freight - rail cars	297	122	364	186
Livestock - pounds	10,480	1,280	11,960	46,520

Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. 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 years ended August 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013. We have revised the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. Although such gains and losses have been and continue to be appropriately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the previous disclosures did not accurately reflect the derivative gains and losses in each period. These revisions did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements.

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2015		2014			2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	143,314	$	128,992		$	(97,373	)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	12,551		(5,926		)	37,555
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense, net	107		114			300
Total		$	155,972	$	123,180		$	(59,518	)

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities, and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting; or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - Overall.

	August 31, 2015
			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	$	476,071	$	—	$	58,401	$	417,670
Foreign exchange derivatives	23,154		—		11,682		11,472
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	14,216		—		—		14,216
Total	$	513,441	$	—	$	70,083	$	443,358
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	427,052	$	11,482	$	58,401	$	357,169
Foreign exchange derivatives	37,598		—		11,682		25,916
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	6,058		—		—		6,058
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	61		—		—		61
Total	$	470,769	$	11,482	$	70,083	$	389,204

	August 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	$	597,210	$	—	$	42,229	$	554,981
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,523		—		1,174		1,349
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	4,200		—		—		4,200
Total	$	603,933	$	—	$	43,403	$	560,530
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	597,612	$	2,504	$	42,229	$	552,879
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,248		—		1,174		1,074
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	130		—		—		130
Total	$	599,990	$	2,504	$	43,403	$	554,083

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

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the years ended August 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:

	2015			2014			2013
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	$	(4,078	)	$	(10,580	)	$	24,135

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income for the years ended August 31, 2015, 2014, and 2013:

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2015			2014		2013
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense, net	$	(792	)	$	12,727	$	(907	)