Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ 828,057	$ 775,306	$ 70,958
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Pension and other postretirement benefits	(32,559)	20,066	32,702
Unrealized net gain (loss) on available for sale investments	0	(3,148)	4,385
Cash flow hedges	20,196	2,540	2,242
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(9,949)	(12,021)	(8,159)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax	(22,312)	7,437	31,170
Comprehensive income	805,745	782,743	102,128
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,823)	(601)	(634)
Comprehensive income attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 807,568	$ 783,344	$ 102,762