Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2011	Nov. 30, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 488,882	$ 206,335
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	51,645	51,525
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	7,878	5,754
Equity income from investments	(24,129)	(37,635)
Distributions from equity investments	40,961	35,794
Noncash patronage dividends received	(108)	(661)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(915)	(736)
Gain on investments	(38)	0
Deferred taxes	972	4,135
Other, net	179	173
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	238,487	(171,143)
Inventories	(227,824)	(642,645)
Derivative assets	233,885	(117,391)
Margin deposits	810,149	(13,640)
Other current assets and other assets	(53,858)	(212,468)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(447,450)	15,348
Customer advance payments	(45,000)	272,576
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	249,411	316,711
Derivative liabilities	(181,216)	(92,463)
Other liabilities	15,561	3,994
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	1,157,472	(376,437)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(98,901)	(84,508)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	1,497	1,103
Expenditures for major repairs	(16,570)	(95,806)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(3,220)	(3,468)
Investments redeemed	49	20,028
Changes in notes receivable	31,506	(291,237)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(32,346)	(3,150)
Other investing activities, net	1,404	33
Net cash used in investing activities	(116,581)	(457,005)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	(70,753)	689,556
Long-term debt borrowings	0	100,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(39,157)	(38,257)
Payments for bank fees on debt	(12,390)	(3,448)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(41,626)	(34,058)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(5,779)	(3,486)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(6,136)	(6,136)
Retirements of equities	(2,447)	(2,440)
Other financing activities, net	(2)	0
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(178,290)	701,731
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(4,725)	1,294
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	857,876	(130,417)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	937,685	394,663
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 1,795,561	$ 264,246