Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Current assets [Abstract]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 314,029	$ 937,685
Receivables	3,590,742	2,980,105
Inventories	3,203,972	2,768,424
Derivative assets	849,905	635,646
Margin deposits	1,138,535	1,081,243
Other current assets	347,970	334,232
Total current assets	9,445,153	8,737,335
Investments	673,388	595,979
Property, plant and equipment	2,786,324	2,420,214
Other assets	518,286	463,482
Total assets	13,423,151	12,217,010
Current liabilities [Abstract]
Notes payable	803,622	716,268
Current portion of long-term debt	108,211	90,804
Current portion of mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	65,981
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	808,047	751,393
Customer advance payments	685,520	601,685
Checks and drafts outstanding	205,060	197,283
Accounts payable	2,355,847	2,315,311
Derivative liabilities	509,005	482,613
Accrued expenses	476,589	405,270
Dividends and equities payable	578,809	400,216
Total current liabilities	6,596,691	5,960,843
Long-term debt	1,332,142	1,411,193
Mandatorily redeemable noncontrolling interest	268,726
Other liabilities	752,269	579,654
Commitments and contingencies
Equities:
Equity certificates	3,109,616	2,695,626
Preferred stock	319,368	319,368
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(232,587)	(174,876)
Capital reserves	1,258,944	1,075,474
Total CHS Inc. equities	4,455,341	3,915,592
Noncontrolling interests	17,982	349,728
Total equities	4,473,323	4,265,320
Total liabilities and equities	$ 13,423,151	$ 12,217,010