Segment Reporting (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2017

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

	Energy			Ag			Nitrogen Production			Foods			Corporate and Other			Reconciling Amounts			Total
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2017:	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues	$	2,087,703		$	6,086,680		$	—		$	—		$	18,775		$	(144,269	)	$	8,048,889
Operating earnings (loss)	117,173			60,822			(3,135		)	(2,467		)	4,488			—			176,881
(Gain) loss on investments	—			(2,819		)	—			—			—			—			(2,819		)
Interest expense	5,635			17,604			13,272			—			4,581			(390		)	40,702
Other (income) loss	(393		)	(20,228		)	(1,738		)	—			(226		)	390			(22,195		)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(1,152		)	(8,254		)	(20,335		)	(3,440		)	(5,181		)	—			(38,362		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	113,083		$	74,519		$	5,666		$	973		$	5,314		$	—		$	199,555
Intersegment revenues	$	(137,204	)	$	(4,033	)	$	—		$	—		$	(3,032	)	$	144,269		$	—
	Energy			Ag			Nitrogen Production			Foods			Corporate and Other			Reconciling Amounts			Total
For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2016:	(Dollars in thousands)
Revenues	$	1,700,180		$	6,435,994		$	—		$	—		$	27,441		$	(115,365	)	$	8,048,250
Operating earnings (loss)	72,780			109,597			(4,029		)	(2,797		)	10,940			—			186,491
(Gain) loss on investments	—			7,385			—			—			16			—			7,401
Interest expense	4,268			16,339			12,736			—			7,974			(3,052		)	38,265
Other (income) loss	(309		)	(17,923		)	(29,106		)	—			(115		)	3,052			(44,401		)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(1,162		)	(5,417		)	(14,696		)	(13,369		)	(5,684		)	—			(40,328		)
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	69,983		$	109,213		$	27,037		$	10,572		$	8,749		$	—		$	225,554
Intersegment revenues	$	(110,087	)	$	(3,765	)	$	—		$	—		$	(1,513	)	$	115,365		$	—