Transactions With Related Parties (Allocation Of Transactions With Related Parties) (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense	$ 43,212,000	$ 61,891,000	$ 51,772,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
General and administrative expense	43,212,000	61,891,000	51,772,000
Compensation And Benefits [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense	198,576,000	206,276,000	224,974,000
General and administrative expense	26,213,000	26,777,000	24,620,000
Compensation And Benefits [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Operating expense	198,576,000	206,276,000	224,974,000
General and administrative expense	$ 26,213,000	$ 26,777,000	$ 24,620,000