Schedule I Parent Only Balance Sheets, Statements Of Earnings And Cash Flows (Balance Sheets) (Details) (USD $)	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 7,437,000	$ 11,401,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	23,885,000	13,842,000
Other assets, net	38,308,000	38,199,000
Total assets	1,460,586,000	1,442,351,000
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Other current liabilities	104,813,000	108,054,000
Long-term debt	1,050,920,000	1,111,088,000
Partners' capital:
Common unitholders	139,614,000	141,281,000
General partner	(58,660,000)	(58,644,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,633,000	(415,000)
Total partners' capital	88,317,000	85,902,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital	1,460,586,000	1,442,351,000
Parent Company [Member]
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	95,000	12,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	18,000	10,000
Investment in Ferrellgas, L.P.	265,956,000	359,367,000
Other assets, net	3,657,000	6,152,000
Total assets	269,726,000	365,541,000
LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL
Other current liabilities	2,139,000	3,319,000
Long-term debt	182,000,000	280,000,000
Partners' capital:
Common unitholders	139,614,000	141,281,000
General partner	(58,660,000)	(58,644,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	4,633,000	(415,000)
Total partners' capital	85,587,000	82,222,000
Total liabilities and partners' capital	$ 269,726,000	$ 365,541,000