Equities Changes in Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014	Nov. 30, 2015	Nov. 30, 2014	Aug. 31, 2015	Jan. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred stock, Value available for issuance		$ 990,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		3,314
Redemptions of equities		(3,314)
Equities issued, net		13,943
Dividends, Preferred Stock		(40,500)
Other, net		(82)
Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		266,174	$ 378,331
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.		266,475	378,703
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(301)	(372)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(3,553)	(1,087)
Patronage Refunds, Estimated		(73,119)
Equity redemptions, estimate		(33,770)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		7,798,504		$ 7,669,411
Capital equity certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		3,314
Redemptions of equities		(3,072)
Equities issued, net		13,943
Other, net		630
Equity redemptions, estimate		(33,770)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		3,774,942		3,793,897
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Other, net		1,002
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests		(301)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		12,227		11,526
Nonpatronage Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		0
Redemptions of equities		(27)
Other, net		(7)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		23,023		23,057
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		0
Redemptions of equities		(215)
Other, net		33
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		282,746		282,928
Preferred Stock [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		0
Redemptions of equities		0
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		2,167,540		2,167,540
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		0
Redemptions of equities		0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax		(3,553)	$ (1,087)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		(217,760)		(214,207)
Capital Reserves [Member]
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Reversal of prior year patronage and redemption estimates		0
Redemptions of equities		0
Dividends, Preferred Stock		(40,500)
Other, net		(1,740)
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.		266,475
Patronage Refunds, Estimated		(73,119)
Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest		1,755,786		$ 1,604,670
Class B, Series 4 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount		517,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs		$ 501,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		7.50%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued					20,700,000
Class B Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Value of Preferred Stock available to be sold under Shelf Registration	$ 2,000,000
Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount		$ 492,500
Proceeds from Issuance of Preferred Stock, net of Issuance Costs		$ 476,700
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage		6.75%
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued						19,700,000
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage		4.155%
Maximum [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Basis Spread on Dividend Rate Percentage		8.00%