Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2016

Derivatives Policy [Abstract]

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Purchase and Sales Contracts [Table Text Block]

	2016		2015
	Long	Short	Long	Short
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	774,279	995,396	711,066	895,326
Energy products - barrels	14,740	6,470	17,238	11,676
Processed grain and oilseed - tons	541	2,060	706	2,741
Crop nutrients - tons	108	135	48	116
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	4,406	877	5,916	1,962
Rail freight - rail cars	205	79	297	122
Natural gas - MMBtu	3,550	300	—	—

Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not accounted for as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014. We have revised the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts. Although such gains and losses have been and continue to be appropriately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the previous disclosures did not accurately reflect the derivative gains and losses in each period. These revisions did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements.

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2016			2015		2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	(49,975	)	$	143,314	$	128,992
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(10,904		)	8,962		(4,920		)
Foreign exchange derivatives	Marketing, general and administrative	(97		)	3,589		(1,006		)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense, net	(6,292		)	107		114
Total		$	(67,268	)	$	155,972	$	123,180

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following tables present the gross fair values of derivative assets, derivative liabilities, and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on our Consolidated Balance Sheets along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting; or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - Overall.

	August 31, 2016
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	500,192	$	—	$	23,689	$	476,503
Foreign exchange derivatives	21,551		—		9,187		12,364
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	22,078		—		—		22,078
Total	$	543,821	$	—	$	32,876	$	510,945
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	491,302	$	811	$	23,689	$	466,802
Foreign exchange derivatives	22,289		—		9,187		13,102
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	8		—		—		8
Total	$	513,599	$	811	$	32,876	$	479,912

	August 31, 2015
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	476,071	$	—	$	58,401	$	417,670
Foreign exchange derivatives	23,154		—		11,682		11,472
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	14,216		—		—		14,216
Total	$	513,441	$	—	$	70,083	$	443,358
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	427,052	$	11,482	$	58,401	$	357,169
Foreign exchange derivatives	37,598		—		11,682		25,916
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	6,058		—		—		6,058
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	61		—		—		61
Total	$	470,769	$	11,482	$	70,083	$	389,204

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) recorded in other comprehensive income relating to cash flow hedges for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:

	2016			2015			2014
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	$	(10,070	)	$	(4,078	)	$	(10,580	)

The following table presents the pretax gains (losses) relating to cash flow hedges that were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income for the years ended August 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014:

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2016			2015			2014
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense, net	$	(5,071	)	$	(792	)	$	12,727