Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2015	Aug. 31, 2015
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,257,260	$ 953,813
Receivables	2,992,754	2,818,110
Inventories	3,126,917	2,652,344
Derivative assets	443,857	513,441
Margin deposits	213,176	273,118
Supplier advance payments	749,698	391,504
Other current assets	355,624	406,479
Total current assets	9,139,286	8,008,809
Investments	1,011,165	1,002,092
Property, plant and equipment	5,331,232	5,192,927
Other assets	997,077	1,024,484
Total assets	16,478,760	15,228,312
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	1,694,363	1,165,378
Current portion of long-term debt	179,104	170,309
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	0	152,607
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	166,111	188,149
Customer advance payments	660,271	398,341
Checks and Drafts Outstanding	118,396	123,208
Accounts payable	2,303,441	1,690,094
Derivative liabilities	370,215	470,769
Accrued expenses	450,451	513,578
Dividends and equities payable	488,003	384,427
Total current liabilities	6,430,355	5,256,860
Long-term debt	1,232,578	1,260,808
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	587,702	580,835
Other liabilities	$ 429,621	$ 460,398
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Preferred stock	$ 2,167,540	$ 2,167,540
Equity certificates	4,080,711	4,099,882
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(217,760)	(214,207)
Capital reserves	1,755,786	1,604,670
Total CHS Inc. equities	7,786,277	7,657,885
Noncontrolling interests	12,227	11,526
Total equities	7,798,504	7,669,411
Total liabilities and equities	$ 16,478,760	$ 15,228,312