Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 31,900,453	$ 32,683,347	$ 32,037,426
Cost of goods sold	30,516,120	31,591,227	31,143,549
Gross profit	1,384,333	1,092,120	893,877
Marketing, general and administrative expenses	737,636	677,465	611,076
Reserve and impairment charges (recoveries), net	(12,905)	(37,709)	456,679
Operating earnings (loss)	659,602	452,364	(173,878)
(Gain) loss on disposal of business	(3,886)	(131,816)	2,190
Interest expense	167,065	149,202	171,239
Other (income) loss	(82,423)	(82,737)	(99,803)
Equity (income) loss from investments	(236,755)	(153,515)	(137,338)
Income (loss) before income taxes	815,601	671,230	(110,166)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(12,456)	(104,076)	(181,124)
Net income (loss)	828,057	775,306	70,958
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,823)	(601)	(634)
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 829,880	$ 775,907	$ 71,592