Supplemental Financial Statement Information (Property, Plant And Equipment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 1,215,870	$ 1,199,659
Less: accumulated depreciation	573,665	546,891
Property, plant and equipment, net	642,205	652,768
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Land [Member]
Estimated useful lives	Indefinite
Property, plant and equipment, gross	30,920	30,566
Land [Member]
Estimated useful lives	Indefinite
Property, plant and equipment, gross	30,920	30,566
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	11,200	11,108
Land Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	11,200	11,108
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Buildings And Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives, average (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	66,043	66,114
Buildings And Improvements [Member]
Estimated useful lives, average (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	66,043	66,114
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Vehicles, Including Transport Trailers [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	8
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	104,188	99,246
Vehicles, Including Transport Trailers [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	8
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	20
Property, plant and equipment, gross	104,188	99,246
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Bulk Equipment And District Facilities [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	5
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	30
Property, plant and equipment, gross	105,485	103,748
Bulk Equipment And District Facilities [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	5
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	30
Property, plant and equipment, gross	105,485	103,748
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Tanks, Cylinders And Customer Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	30
Property, plant and equipment, gross	778,599	770,865
Tanks, Cylinders And Customer Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	30
Property, plant and equipment, gross	778,599	770,865
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Computer And Office Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	5
Property, plant and equipment, gross	116,281	115,189
Computer And Office Equipment [Member]
Estimated useful lives, minimum (in years)	2
Estimated useful lives, maximum (in years)	5
Property, plant and equipment, gross	116,281	115,189
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member] | Construction In Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,154	2,823
Construction In Progress [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	3,154	2,823
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	1,215,870	1,199,659
Less: accumulated depreciation	573,665	546,891
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 642,205	$ 652,768