Receivables - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	$ 252.8	$ 190.4
Percentage of commercial notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	37.00%	34.00%
Percentage of producer notes to CHS Capital long-term notes receivable	63.00%	66.00%
Interest Income Accrual Term, Discontinued	90 days
CHS Capital long-term notes receivable additional available credit of counterparty	$ 935.8
Minimum [Member]
Notes Receivable, Short-Term
Notes and Loans Receivable, Current, Term	12 months
Maximum [Member]
Notes Receivable, Short-Term
Notes and Loans Receivable, Current, Term	14 months
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
Notes and Loans Receivable, Non Current, Net, Term	10 years
CHS Capital Notes Receivable [Member]
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
Percentage of receivable from one customer	19.00%
CHS Capital [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Notes Receivable, Long-Term
Percentage of receivable from one customer	10.00%