Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2012	Feb. 28, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 568,117	$ 418,154
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	104,732	104,116
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	18,044	14,224
Equity income from investments	(44,081)	(79,566)
Distributions from equity investments	50,769	58,713
Noncash patronage dividends received	(2,438)	(1,567)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(2,916)	(2,554)
Loss (gain) on investments	446	(66)
Gain on crack spread contingent liability	(4,185)
Deferred taxes	1,944	(20,235)
Other, net	438	262
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	393,142	(246,541)
Inventories	(466,016)	(1,270,940)
Derivative assets	428,996	(482,101)
Margin deposits	691,191	(399,720)
Other current assets and other assets	(205,241)	(439,241)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(497,420)	319,084
Customer advance payments	286,325	729,691
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(509,292)	188,662
Derivative liabilities	(187,220)	169,520
Other liabilities	(19,500)	(17,076)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	605,835	(957,181)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(197,887)	(142,530)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	1,843	4,779
Expenditures for major repairs	(19,836)	(82,931)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(15,223)	(5,344)
Investments redeemed	2,599	26,472
Changes in notes receivable	42,423	(485,823)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(158,214)	(65,548)
Other investing activities, net	1,742	32
Net cash used in investing activities	(342,553)	(750,893)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	(146,687)	1,647,905
Long-term debt borrowings		100,000
Principal payments on long-term debt	(39,865)	(45,078)
Payments for bank fees on debt	(12,390)	(3,648)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(8,374)	8,061
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(77,519)	(4,190)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(12,272)	(12,272)
Retirements of equities	(130,566)	(52,178)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(260,126)	(141,376)
Other financing activities, net	(17)	(14)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(687,816)	1,497,210
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(5,089)	327
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(429,623)	(210,537)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	937,685	394,663
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 508,062	$ 184,126