Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Feb. 28, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 190,426	$ 181,379
Receivables	1,765,640	1,869,632
Inventories	3,650,158	2,576,585
Derivative assets	429,625	232,017
Margin deposits	188,167	206,062
Supplier advance payments	658,815	249,234
Other current assets	310,674	299,618
Total current assets	7,193,505	5,614,527
Investments	3,752,876	3,750,993
Property, plant and equipment	5,179,868	5,356,434
Other assets	958,613	1,251,802
Total assets	17,084,862	15,973,756
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	2,993,456	1,988,215
Current portion of long-term debt	46,290	156,345
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	106,323	157,914
Customer advance payments	727,535	413,163
Accounts payable	1,835,289	1,951,292
Derivative liabilities	372,406	316,018
Accrued expenses	459,867	437,527
Dividends and equities payable	128,700	12,121
Total current liabilities	6,669,866	5,432,595
Long-term debt	1,915,843	2,023,448
Long-term deferred tax liabilities	171,844	333,221
Other liabilities	265,349	278,667
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Equities:
Preferred stock	2,264,038	2,264,038
Equity certificates	4,307,292	4,341,649
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(168,225)	(183,670)
Capital reserves	1,646,837	1,471,217
Total CHS Inc. equities	8,049,942	7,893,234
Noncontrolling interests	12,018	12,591
Total equities	8,061,960	7,905,825
Total liabilities and equities	$ 17,084,862	$ 15,973,756