Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	$ (43,760,000)	$ 33,339,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss) on risk management derivatives	22,676,000	12,063,000
Reclassification of derivatives to earnings	(17,358,000)	(11,231,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,000	2,000
Pension liability adjustment	(220,000)	(46,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		788,000
Comprehensive income (loss)		34,127,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss)	(11,062,000)	62,361,000
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	1,255,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss)	5,100,000	788,000
Comprehensive income (loss)	(4,707,000)	63,149,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss) on risk management derivatives		11,941,000
Reclassification of derivatives to earnings		(11,118,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		2,000
Pension liability adjustment		(46,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss) on risk management derivatives	22,676,000	12,063,000
Reclassification of derivatives to earnings	(17,358,000)	(11,231,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	2,000	2,000
Pension liability adjustment	(220,000)	(46,000)
Total Ferrellgas Partners, L.P. Partners' Capital [Member]
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss)		32,709,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Other comprehensive income (loss)		779,000
Comprehensive income (loss)		33,488,000
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss)		630,000
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Net earnings (loss) on risk management derivatives		122,000
Reclassification of derivatives to earnings		(113,000)
Foreign currency translation adjustment		0
Pension liability adjustment		0
Comprehensive income (loss)		$ 639,000