Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015	May 31, 2016	May 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 7,796,588	$ 8,740,905	$ 22,164,710	$ 26,596,101
Cost of goods sold	7,479,076	8,429,026	21,346,376	25,446,550
Gross profit	317,512	311,879	818,334	1,149,551
Marketing, general and administrative	169,452	165,341	502,263	498,084
Operating earnings (loss)	148,060	146,538	316,071	651,467
Loss (gain) on investments	(700)	0	(9,422)	(5,074)
Interest expense, net	26,692	10,780	49,398	43,457
Equity (income) loss from investments	(72,453)	(34,750)	(131,819)	(83,548)
Income (loss) before income taxes	194,521	170,508	407,914	696,632
Income tax (benefit) expense	4,838	(7,327)	(17,761)	47,569
Net income (loss)	189,683	177,835	425,675	649,063
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(592)	(215)	(92)	(504)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 190,275	$ 178,050	$ 425,767	$ 649,567