Other Assets - Schedule of Other Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021	Aug. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 179,976	$ 179,976	$ 171,601
Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets	46,980	53,165
Notes receivable (Note 3)	76,919	46,012
Long-term derivative assets (Note 15)	1,119	8,546
Prepaid pension and other benefits (Note 13)	78,819	74,810
Capitalized major maintenance	289,377	147,521	$ 196,641	$ 228,511
Cash value life insurance	$ 134,126	$ 128,876
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset, Statement of Financial Position [Extensible Enumeration]	Other assets	Other assets
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset	$ 254,844	$ 242,859
Other	68,364	92,230
Other assets	1,130,524	973,995
Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Customer lists, trademarks and other intangible assets	$ 46,980	$ 53,165