Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended												12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (55,768)	$ 6,536	$ 38,098	$ (43,073)	$ (661,434)	$ 18,685	$ 57,127	$ (79,793)	$ (58,775)	$ 35,812	$ 85,458	$ (32,875)	$ (54,207)	$ (665,415)	$ 29,620
Income tax expense													(1,143)	(36)	(315)
Interest Expense													152,485	137,937	100,396
Depreciation and amortization expense													103,351	150,513	98,579
EBITDA													200,486	(377,001)	228,280
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge													(15,088)	(27,595)	(24,713)
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge													3,298	9,324	25,982
Asset Impairment Charges					628,800								0	658,118	0
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal													14,457	30,835	7,099
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)													(1,474)	(110)	350
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability													0	(100)	(6,300)
Severance Costs													1,959	1,453	0
Legal Fees													0	0	806
Estimated Litigation Liability	(3,457)				1,137				2,412				(3,457)	1,137	2,412
Net earnings (loss)	(56,249)	6,691	38,528	(43,471)	(668,142)	18,918	57,755	(80,566)	(59,333)	36,220	86,371	(33,169)	(54,501)	(672,035)	30,089
Adjusted EBITDA													230,063	344,730	300,184
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)													(294)	(6,620)	469
Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized													0	99	16,373
Adjusted EBITDA													7,852	103,751	14,119
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Income tax expense													(1,149)	(41)	(384)
Interest Expense													127,188	121,818	84,227
Depreciation and amortization expense													103,351	150,513	98,579
EBITDA													200,331	(383,101)	228,849
Loss on extinguishment of debt													0	0	0
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge													(15,088)	(27,595)	(24,713)
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge													3,298	9,324	25,982
Asset Impairment Charges					628,800								0	658,118	0
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal													14,457	30,835	7,099
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)													(1,474)	(110)	354
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability													0	(100)	(6,300)
Severance Costs													1,959	1,453	0
Legal Fees													0	0	806
Estimated Litigation Liability	(3,457)				1,137				2,412				(3,457)	1,137	2,412
Net earnings (loss)	$ (47,614)	$ 15,395	$ 42,600	$ (39,440)	$ (664,091)	$ 23,049	$ 62,187	$ (76,536)	$ (55,249)	$ 40,404	$ 90,409	$ (29,137)	(29,059)	(655,391)	46,427
Adjusted EBITDA													230,202	345,250	300,288
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized													0	100	16,373
Adjusted EBITDA													$ 7,852	$ 103,751	$ 14,119