Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 903,474	$ 542,484	$ 216,993
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	1,677,901	553,569	423,609
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationincludingmajormaintenance	536,493	535,498	550,251
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions	(48,847)	(40,035)	49,130
Provision for current expected credit losses	19,920	6,692	3,418
Gain/recovery on sale of business	(13,083)	(19,034)	(1,450)
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	0	(35,258)	0
Deferred taxes	39,548	(11,957)	(32,761)
Other, net	(17,833)	(41,218)	(1,642)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(547,564)	(568,752)	308,399
Inventories	(317,918)	(549,221)	104,884
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	555,446	1,007,229	(330,949)
Other, net	62,455	(79,702)	14,340
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,946,518	757,811	1,087,229
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(354,444)	(317,794)	(418,359)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	14,318	20,742	32,670
Proceeds from sale of business	73,152	81,366	1,139
Expenditures for Major Repairs	(24,768)	(40,922)	(14,496)
CHSCapitalPaymentsForProceedsFromLoansReceivable	(161,340)	132,268	119,591
Financing extended to customers	(83,514)	(1,926)	(6,386)
Payments from customer financing	94,388	6,892	35,791
Other investing activities, net	(14,876)	17,702	6,345
Net cash used in investing activities	(457,084)	(101,672)	(243,705)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt	20,730,750	31,765,082	24,343,870
Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(21,515,920)	(31,806,918)	(24,948,926)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(168,668)	(168,668)	(168,668)
Redemptions of equities	(111,818)	(79,381)	(96,438)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(51,026)	(30,042)	(90,115)
Other financing activities, net	2,994	(6,658)	29,129
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,113,688)	(326,585)	(931,148)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations	(14,756)	(4,063)	4,942
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	360,990	325,491	(82,682)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	413,159	140,874
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	793,957	413,159	140,874
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	113,726	102,093	119,354
Income Taxes Paid, Net	19,712	(8,842)	6,840
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	55,214	28,010	14,906
Lease Obligation Incurred	18,875	12,831	11,190
Other current liabilities	$ 1,000,000	$ 150,000	$ 63,000