Receivables - Schedule of Receivables (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2019	Aug. 31, 2019
Receivables [Abstract]
Trade accounts receivable	$ 1,706,564	$ 1,803,284
CHS Capital short-term notes receivable	606,605	592,909
Other	497,880	511,821
Receivables, gross	2,811,049	2,908,014
Less: allowances and reserves	179,675	176,805
Total receivables	$ 2,631,374	$ 2,731,209