Schedule I Parent Only Balance Sheets, Statements Of Earnings And Cash Flows (Balance Sheet) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 8,429,000	$ 7,437,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	29,315,000	23,885,000
Other assets, net	43,320,000	38,308,000
Total assets	1,397,279,000	1,460,586,000
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Other current liabilities	122,667,000	104,813,000
Long-term debt	1,059,085,000	1,050,920,000
Partners' capital (deficit)
Common unitholders	43,701,000	139,614,000
General partner	(59,630,000)	(58,660,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,159,000)	4,633,000
Total partners' capital (deficit)	(27,526,000)	88,317,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital (deficit)	1,397,279,000	1,460,586,000
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	211,000	95,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	40,000	18,000
Investment in Ferrellgas, L.P.	151,578,000	265,956,000
Other assets, net	3,366,000	3,657,000
Total assets	155,195,000	269,726,000
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Other current liabilities	2,283,000	2,139,000
Long-term debt	182,000,000	182,000,000
Partners' capital (deficit)
Common unitholders	43,701,000	139,614,000
General partner	(59,630,000)	(58,660,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(13,159,000)	4,633,000
Total partners' capital (deficit)	(29,088,000)	85,587,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital (deficit)	$ 155,195,000	$ 269,726,000