Debt (Components Of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	$ 1,110,031	$ 1,061,606
Less: current portion, included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets	3,091	2,521
Long-term debt	1,106,940	1,059,085
Short-term borrowings	50,054	95,730
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Total long-term debt	928,031	879,606
Less: current portion, included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets	3,091	2,521
Long-term debt	924,940	877,085
Short-term borrowings	50,054	95,730
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate	6.50%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	297,444	296,964
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate	9.125%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2017
Unamortized discount	2,556	3,036
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	297,444	296,964
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate	9.125%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2017
Unamortized discount	2,556	3,036
Fixed Rate, 8.625%, Due 2020 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	182,000	182,000
Debt instrument, fixed interest rate	8.625%
Debt instrument, maturity year	2020
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(1,657)	7,784
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(1,657)	7,784
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	121,346	64,270
Debt instrument, maturity year	2016
Short-term borrowings	50,054	95,730
Weighted average interest rate of debt	3.70%	4.20%
Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	121,346	64,270
Debt instrument, maturity year	2016
Short-term borrowings	50,054	95,730
Weighted average interest rate of debt	3.70%	4.20%
Notes Payable [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	10,898	10,588
Unamortized discount	2,392	2,727
Weighted average interest rate of debt	9.10%	9.10%
Long-term debt, Notes payable due start	2012
Long-term debt, Notes payable due end	2020
Notes Payable [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	10,898	10,588
Unamortized discount	$ 2,392	$ 2,727
Weighted average interest rate of debt	9.10%	9.10%
Long-term debt, Notes payable due start	2012
Long-term debt, Notes payable due end	2020