Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	May 31, 2012	May 31, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income including noncontrolling interests	$ 974,835	$ 824,071
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	161,620	159,884
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	26,251	22,307
Equity income from investments	(68,885)	(100,245)
Distributions from equity investments	66,048	128,478
Noncash patronage dividends received	(2,737)	(1,864)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(4,096)	(4,366)
Loss (gain) on investments	446	(128,788)
Gain on crack spread contingent liability	(6,741)	0
Deferred taxes	19,794	12,290
Other, net	585	(3,715)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(300,361)	(784,389)
Inventories	305,567	(1,082,915)
Derivative assets	278,438	(507,530)
Margin deposits	756,189	(480,755)
Other current assets and other assets	61,213	(250,602)
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	(468,924)	403,975
Customer advance payments	(106,737)	341,008
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(468,593)	874,720
Derivative liabilities	(186,477)	190,762
Other liabilities	(42,097)	3,728
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	995,338	(383,946)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(315,615)	(214,138)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	3,744	7,003
Expenditures for major repairs	(20,869)	(88,042)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(29,574)	(5,340)
Investments redeemed	5,684	32,633
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	225,000
Changes in notes receivable	65,904	(532,886)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(159,418)	(67,473)
Other investing activities, net	(202)	162
Net cash used in investing activities	(450,346)	(643,081)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	(185,664)	1,093,701
Long-term debt borrowings	0	131,882
Principal payments on long-term debt	(55,679)	(77,073)
Payments for bank fees on debt	(12,390)	(3,648)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	(35,125)	(7,951)
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(77,519)	(8,123)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(18,408)	(18,408)
Retirements of equities	(138,421)	(56,588)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(260,629)	(141,510)
Other financing activities, net	(118)	(15)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(783,953)	912,267
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(9,443)	9,838
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(248,404)	(104,922)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	937,685	394,663
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 689,281	$ 289,741