Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 30,347,203	$ 34,582,442	$ 42,664,033
Cost of goods sold	29,387,910	33,091,676	41,011,487
Gross profit	959,293	1,490,766	1,652,546
Marketing, general and administrative	649,097	775,354	602,598
Operating earnings	310,196	715,412	1,049,948
(Gain) loss on investments	(9,252)	(5,239)	(114,162)
Interest expense, net	75,347	60,333	140,253
Equity (income) loss from investments	(175,777)	(107,850)	(107,446)
Income before income taxes	419,878	768,168	1,131,303
Income taxes	(4,091)	(12,165)	48,296
Net income	423,969	780,333	1,083,007
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(223)	(712)	1,572
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 424,192	$ 781,045	$ 1,081,435