Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (32,895,000)	$ (28,265,000)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,674,000	20,375,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	2,579,000	2,444,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	2,917,000	1,013,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	309,000	(232,000)
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,952,000	1,978,000
Deferred tax expense	164,000	112,000
Other	581,000	2,719,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(48,026,000)	(32,573,000)
Inventories	(48,391,000)	(2,907,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(12,197,000)	(13,660,000)
Accounts payable	48,048,000	22,779,000
Accrued interest expense	5,181,000	6,836,000
Other current liabilities	26,339,000	12,827,000
Other liabilities	38,000	10,000
Net cash used in operating activities	(32,727,000)	(6,544,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(5,300,000)	(1,770,000)
Capital expenditures	(14,924,000)	(11,565,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,363,000	2,078,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,861,000)	(11,257,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions	(38,367,000)	(35,125,000)
Proceeds from increase in long-term debt	18,656,000	10,020,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,259,000)	(934,000)
Net additions to short-term borrowings	61,144,000	23,279,000
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	20,000,000	19,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(2,500,000)	(164,000)
Noncontrolling interest activity	(391,000)	(359,000)
Proceeds from exercise of common unit options	0	308,000
Cash contribution from general partner in connection with common unit issuances	0	6,000
Net cash provided by financing activities	57,283,000	16,031,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,000	2,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,697,000	(1,768,000)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	7,437,000	11,401,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	13,134,000	9,633,000
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(50)	(90)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash used in operating activities	(50)	(90)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contribution	50	90
Net cash provided by financing activities	50	90
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	0	0
Cash - beginning of period	969	969
Cash - end of period	969	969
Ferrellgas, L.P. And Subsidiaries [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(28,802,000)	(21,999,000)
Reconciliation of net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,674,000	20,375,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	2,579,000	2,444,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	2,917,000	1,013,000
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	309,000	(232,000)
Provision for doubtful accounts	1,952,000	1,978,000
Deferred tax expense	164,000	112,000
Other	480,000	2,568,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net	(48,026,000)	(32,573,000)
Inventories	(48,391,000)	(2,907,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(12,202,000)	(13,675,000)
Accounts payable	48,048,000	22,779,000
Accrued interest expense	1,256,000	799,000
Other current liabilities	26,318,000	12,824,000
Other liabilities	38,000	10,000
Net cash used in operating activities	(32,686,000)	(6,484,000)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(5,300,000)	(1,786,000)
Capital expenditures	(14,924,000)	(11,565,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,363,000	2,078,000
Net cash used in investing activities	(18,861,000)	(11,273,000)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions	(38,758,000)	(35,484,000)
Contributions from partners	0	3,000
Proceeds from increase in long-term debt	18,656,000	10,020,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,259,000)	(934,000)
Net additions to short-term borrowings	61,144,000	23,279,000
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	20,000,000	19,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(2,500,000)	(13,000)
Net cash provided by financing activities	57,283,000	15,871,000
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	2,000	2,000
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	5,738,000	(1,884,000)
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	7,342,000	11,389,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	13,080,000	9,505,000
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	(1,500)	(3,050)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash used in operating activities	(1,500)	(3,050)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Capital contribution	1,500	3,050
Net cash provided by financing activities	1,500	3,050
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
Cash - beginning of period	1,100	1,100
Cash - end of period	$ 1,100	$ 1,100