Investments - Narrative (Details)		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($) company T	Aug. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2096 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments		$ (236,755,000)	$ (153,515,000)	$ (137,338,000)
Number of parent companies | company		3
CF Industries Nitrogen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount invested in equity method investment	$ 2,700,000,000
Supply agreement, term	80 years
Maximum annual granular urea eligible for purchases | T		1,100,000
Maximum annual UAN eligible for purchases | T		580,000
Equity method investments		$ 2,708,942,000	2,735,073,000
Cash Distribution from Equity Method		$ 186,500,000	127,900,000
CF Industries Nitrogen | Forecast
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments					$ 0
CF Industries Nitrogen | Nitrogen Production
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		10.00%
Equity (income) loss from investments		$ 160,400,000	106,900,000
Ventura Foods
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments		$ 374,516,000	360,150,000
Ventura Foods | Ag
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%
Ardent Mills
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		12.00%
Equity method investments		$ 209,027,000	$ 205,898,000