Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2016	Nov. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 8,048,250	$ 7,728,792
Cost of goods sold	7,695,553	7,316,974
Gross profit	352,697	411,818
Marketing, general and administrative	166,206	152,004
Operating earnings (loss)	186,491	259,814
(Gain) loss on investments	7,401	(5,672)
Interest expense	38,265	9,051
Other income	(44,401)	(2,058)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(40,328)	(31,362)
Income (loss) before income taxes	225,554	289,855
Income tax expense (benefit)	16,612	23,681
Net income (loss)	208,942	266,174
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(208)	(301)
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 209,150	$ 266,475