Investments Equity Method investments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018	Aug. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	$ 177,882	$ 347,504
Other Equity Method Investments [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	256,042		$ 267,247
Ardent Mills, Ventura, CF Nitrogen [Member] [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Net Sales	2,098,284	2,241,539
Gross Profit	346,027	339,937
Net earnings	214,004	272,736
Net income (loss) attributable to CHS Inc.	53,462	$ 67,668
CF Nitrogen LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity Method Investments	$ 2,743,776		$ 2,708,942