Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2017

Derivatives Policy [Abstract]

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

	2017		2016
	Long	Short	Long	Short
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	570,673	768,540	774,279	995,396
Energy products - barrels	15,072	18,252	14,740	6,470
Processed grain and oilseed - tons	299	2,347	541	2,060
Crop nutrients - tons	9	15	108	135
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	2,777	1,766	4,406	877
Rail freight - rail cars	176	75	205	79
Natural gas - MMBtu	500	—	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, 2017, 2016, and 2015. We have revised the information that we have historically included in this table below to correct for errors in the previously disclosed amounts for fiscal 2015. Although such gains and losses have been and continue to be appropriately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, the previous disclosures for fiscal 2015 did not accurately reflect the derivative gains and losses in each period. These revisions did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2015.

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2017			2016			2015
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	208,199		$	(49,975	)	$	143,314
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(13,140		)	(10,904		)	8,962
Foreign exchange derivatives	Marketing, general and administrative	(1,604		)	(97		)	3,589
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense	8			(6,292		)	107
Embedded derivative	Other income (loss)	30,538			—			—
Total		$	224,001		$	(67,268	)	$	155,972

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, 2017
			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	$	384,648	$	—	$	35,080	$	349,568
Foreign exchange derivatives	8,771		—		3,636		5,135
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	9,978		—		—		9,978
Embedded derivative asset	25,533		—		—		25,533
Total	$	428,930	$	—	$	38,716	$	390,214
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	309,762	$	3,898	$	35,080	$	270,784
Foreign exchange derivatives	19,931		—		3,636		16,295
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	707		—		—		707
Total	$	330,400	$	3,898	$	38,716	$	287,786

	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

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, 2017, 2016, and 2015:

	2017		2016			2015
	(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	(10,070	)	$	(4,078	)

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, 2017, 2016, and 2015:

	Location of Gain (Loss)	2017			2016			2015
		(Dollars in thousands)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest expense	$	(1,742	)	$	(5,071	)	$	(792	)