Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 1,609,969	$ 1,683,306
Propane and related equipment sales [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	1,194,905	1,202,214
Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	399,356	444,126
Corporate and Other [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	15,708	36,966
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	1,609,948	1,683,213
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Propane and related equipment sales [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	1,194,905	1,202,214
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	399,356	444,126
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Corporate and Other [Member]
Statement [Line Items]
Total assets	$ 15,687	$ 36,873