Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 1,667,215	$ 1,683,306
Propane and related equipment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,255,584	1,202,214
Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	228,708	275,303
Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	182,923	205,789
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,667,124	1,683,213
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Propane and related equipment sales [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	1,255,584	1,202,214
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	228,708	275,303
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Assets	$ 182,832	$ 205,696