Investments - Narrative (Details)		12 Months Ended
	Feb. 01, 2016 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2021 USD ($) T	Aug. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2019 USD ($)	Feb. 01, 2096 USD ($)
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments, net of distributions received		$ (354,529,000)	$ (186,715,000)	$ (236,755,000)
Investment Company, Distributable Earnings		458,200,000
Nitrogen Production
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments, net of distributions received		(198,439,000)	(127,954,000)	(160,373,000)
Ag
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity (income) loss from investments, net of distributions received		$ (50,381,000)	(7,303,000)	(4,447,000)
CF Industries Nitrogen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Amount invested in equity method investment	$ 2,700,000,000
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		10.00%
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		$ 2,667,164,000	2,662,618,000
Cash Distribution from Equity Method		$ 193,900,000	174,300,000	$ 186,500,000
CF Industries Nitrogen | Forecast
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments					$ 0
Ventura Foods
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%
Equity method investments		$ 388,612,000	381,351,000
Ardent Mills
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		12.00%
Equity method investments		$ 220,132,000	208,927,000
TEMCO
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage		50.00%
Equity method investments		$ 31,464,000	$ 19,444,000