Segment Reporting - Narrative (Details)	Aug. 31, 2016
TEMCO, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Ardent Mills LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	12.00%
Ag [Member] | TEMCO, LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Ag [Member] | Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Nitrogen Production [Member] | CF Nitrogen LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	11.40%
Corporate and Other [Member] | Ventura Foods, LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Corporate and Other [Member] | Ardent Mills LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	12.00%