Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 1,844,587	$ 903,474	$ 542,484
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	1,900,124	1,677,901	553,569
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationincludingmajormaintenance	539,521	536,493	535,498
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions	(81,272)	(48,847)	(40,035)
Provision for current expected credit losses	(15,624)	19,920	6,692
Gain/recovery on sale of business	300	(13,083)	(19,034)
Inventory, LIFO Reserve, Effect on Income, Net	0	0	(35,258)
Deferred taxes	(6,429)	39,548	(11,957)
Other, net	(44,546)	(17,833)	(41,218)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	645,781	(547,564)	(568,752)
Inventories	437,692	(317,918)	(549,221)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(127,399)	555,446	1,007,229
Other, net	36,034	62,455	(79,702)
Net cash provided by operating activities	3,284,182	1,946,518	757,811
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(564,522)	(354,444)	(317,794)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	29,645	14,318	20,742
Proceeds from sale of business	64	73,152	81,366
Expenditures for Major Repairs	(217,413)	(24,768)	(40,922)
CHSCapitalPaymentsForProceedsFromLoansReceivable	(203,843)	(161,340)	132,268
Financing extended to customers	(137,091)	(83,514)	(1,926)
Payments from customer financing	148,690	94,388	6,892
Other investing activities, net	(5,721)	(14,876)	17,702
Net cash used in investing activities	(950,191)	(457,084)	(101,672)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term debt	7,183,395	20,730,750	31,765,082
Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(7,385,813)	(21,515,920)	(31,806,918)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(168,668)	(168,668)	(168,668)
Redemptions of equities	(495,790)	(111,818)	(79,381)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(503,057)	(51,026)	(30,042)
Other financing activities, net	(25,535)	2,994	(6,658)
Net cash used in financing activities	(1,395,468)	(1,113,688)	(326,585)
Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Continuing Operations	2,590	(14,756)	(4,063)
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	941,113	360,990	325,491
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	793,957	413,159
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	1,765,286	793,957	413,159
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	139,424	113,726	102,093
Income Taxes Paid, Net	184,444	19,712	(8,842)
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	66,492	55,214	28,010
Lease Obligation Incurred	16,505	18,875	12,831
Other current liabilities	$ 730,000	$ 1,000,000	$ 150,000