Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 1,335,719	$ 1,061,028	$ 535,397
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	219,632	220,694	202,922
Amortization of deferred major repair costs	33,641	30,474	18,532
Income from equity investments	(102,389)	(131,414)	(108,787)
Distributions from equity investments	75,468	137,766	89,689
Noncash patronage dividends received	(10,461)	(9,697)	(9,918)
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment	(5,564)	(5,200)	(5,094)
Loss (gain) on investments	5,465	(126,729)	(29,433)
Loss on crack spread contingent liability	22,328
Deferred taxes	58,624	67,089	39,507
Other, net	481	868	1,597
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(512,034)	(714,589)	(123,630)
Inventories	(252,842)	(796,596)	(426,328)
Derivative assets	(212,365)	(389,025)	(73,597)
Margin deposits	(51,241)	(462,857)	(397,993)
Other current assets and other assets	(35,375)	(137,749)	42,145
Customer margin deposits and credit balances	56,177	327,813	149,228
Customer advance payments	61,978	163,640	114,032
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(48,042)	870,314	221,776
Derivative liabilities	18,933	179,876	(25,740)
Other liabilities	60,503	15,617	(64,344)
Net cash provided by operating activities	718,636	301,323	149,961
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment	(468,611)	(310,670)	(324,262)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	27,839	9,496	10,139
Expenditures for major repairs	(23,443)	(92,129)	(7,554)
Investments in joint ventures and other	(94,757)	(6,090)	(38,062)
Investments redeemed	12,112	39,681	119,331
Proceeds from sale of investments		225,000
Changes in notes receivable	19,040	(347,509)	(41,925)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(166,033)	(67,489)	(6,307)
Other investing activities, net	(342)	(1,259)	(949)
Net cash used in investing activities	(694,195)	(550,969)	(289,589)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Changes in notes payable	(27,561)	457,731	15,217
Long-term debt borrowings		631,882
Principal payments	(96,619)	(114,929)	(84,792)
Payments for bank fees	(12,390)	(5,348)	(10,296)
Changes in checks and drafts outstanding	6,353	63,033	47,280
Distributions to noncontrolling interests	(78,602)	(18,184)	(4,870)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(24,544)	(24,544)	(23,248)
Retirements of equities	(145,722)	(61,193)	(23,135)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(260,666)	(141,513)	(153,894)
Other financing activities, net	878	(20)	952
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(638,873)	786,915	(236,786)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(9,224)	5,753	(1,522)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(623,656)	543,022	(377,936)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	937,685	394,663	772,599
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 314,029	$ 937,685	$ 394,663