Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 28, 2018	Feb. 28, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 346,245	$ 223,915
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	240,349	241,730
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	32,839	36,431
Equity (income) loss from investments	(77,803)	(76,128)
Distributions from equity investments	78,461	86,096
Provision for doubtful accounts	(3,625)	97,113
Gain on disposal of business	(24,236)	0
Unrealized (gain) loss on crack spread contingent liability	0	(12,879)
Deferred taxes	(166,511)	22,366
Other, net	18,840	24,923
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	169,359	152,926
Inventories	(1,076,037)	(1,389,281)
Derivative assets	(33,757)	120,346
Margin deposits	17,895	19,985
Supplier advance payments	(409,581)	(354,105)
Other current assets and other assets	21,344	(3,401)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(51,591)	(59,284)
Customer advance payments	314,372	457,095
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(44,413)	58,427
Derivative liabilities	50,922	(239,894)
Other liabilities	(58,252)	(49,555)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(655,180)	(643,174)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(142,886)	(207,877)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	59,680	6,794
Proceeds from sale of business	53,552	0
Expenditures for major repairs	(2,832)	(687)
Short-term investments, net	(19,922)	(2,742)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(664)	(5,628)
Investments redeemed	6,496	2,660
Proceeds from sale of investments	4,177	6,041
Changes in CHS Capital notes receivable, net	(25,846)	(108,060)
Financing extended to customers	(66,014)	(41,358)
Payments from customer financing	30,893	60,789
Other investing activities, net	6,206	4,924
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	(97,160)	(285,144)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from lines of credit and long-term borrowings	18,414,973	21,159,218
Payments on lines of credit, long term-debt and capital lease obligations	(17,512,264)	(20,062,366)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(45,925)	1,388
Preferred stock dividends paid	(84,334)	(83,650)
Retirements of equities	(4,742)	(13,670)
Cash patronage dividends paid	0	(103,879)
Other financing activities, net	(3,949)	2,551
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	763,759	899,592
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(2,372)	(786)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	9,047	(29,512)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	181,379	279,313
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 190,426	$ 249,801