Related Party Transactions (Details) (Primarily TEMCO, Horizon Milling, United Harvest and Ventura Foods, USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010
Primarily TEMCO, Horizon Milling, United Harvest and Ventura Foods
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Sales	$ 2,185,348	$ 3,004,303	$ 2,276,682
Purchases	1,143,285	1,461,391	961,062
Receivables	51,716	51,831
Payables	$ 60,659	$ 29,398

For an unclassified balance sheet, amounts due from related parties including affiliates, employees, joint ventures, officers and stockholders, immediate families thereof, and pension funds.

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+ Details

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of obligations due all related parties.

+ References

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+ Details

- Definition

Amount of revenue, fees and commissions earned from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, for example, but not limited to, pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates.

+ References+ Details