Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2017	Aug. 31, 2016	Aug. 31, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 31,934,751	$ 30,347,203	$ 34,582,442
Cost of goods sold	30,985,510	29,387,910	33,091,676
Gross profit	949,241	959,293	1,490,766
Marketing, general and administrative	604,359	601,261	642,309
Reserve and impairment charges	456,679	47,836	133,045
Operating earnings (loss)	(111,797)	310,196	715,412
(Gain) loss on investments	4,569	(9,252)	(5,239)
Interest expense	(171,239)	(113,704)	(70,659)
Other (income) loss	(95,415)	(38,357)	(10,326)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(137,338)	(175,777)	(107,850)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(54,852)	419,878	768,168
Income taxes	(182,075)	(4,091)	(12,165)
Net income	127,223	423,969	780,333
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(634)	(223)	(712)
Net income attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 127,857	$ 424,192	$ 781,045