Organization, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018	Aug. 31, 2017	Sep. 01, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
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
Operating earnings (loss)	659,602	452,364	(173,878)
Other (income) loss	(82,423)	(82,737)	(99,803)
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(31,900,453)
Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold		1,340	783
Gross Profit		(1,340)	(783)
Marketing, general and administrative expenses		3,382	(931)
Operating earnings (loss)		(4,722)	148
Other (income) loss		4,722	(148)
Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption				$ 1,000
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	(12,732,641)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 [Member] | Accounting Standards Update 2014-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 52,100
As Previously Reported | Accounting Standards Update 2017-07
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cost of goods sold		31,589,887	31,142,766
Gross Profit		1,093,460	894,660
Marketing, general and administrative expenses		674,083	612,007
Operating earnings (loss)		457,086	(174,026)
Other (income) loss		$ 78,015	$ 99,951