Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Earnings to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2019	Jan. 31, 2018
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 43,344	$ (1,843)	$ (13,671)	$ (49,758)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3	(162)	161	215
Interest expense	44,891	42,673	88,769	83,480
Depreciation and amortization expense	19,605	25,485	38,597	51,217
EBITDA	107,843	66,153	113,856	85,154
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	1,944	4,031	4,692	7,993
Asset impairment charges		10,005	0	10,005
Loss on asset sales and disposals	(2,216)	(39,249)	(6,720)	(40,144)
Other income, net	(86)	(684)	(105)	(1,195)
Severance costs	1,600	0	1,600	1,663
Legal Fees and settlements	5,608	2,118	9,172	2,118
Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments	0	(314)	0	1,293
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement			1,524
Net earnings (loss)	43,875	(1,774)	(13,633)	(50,090)
Adjusted EBITDA	119,656	120,627	137,497	146,843
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	531	69	38	(332)
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	52,617	6,847	3,803	(32,852)
Income tax expense (benefit)	3	(167)	154	204
Interest expense	36,150	34,058	71,345	66,254
Depreciation and amortization expense	19,605	25,485	38,597	51,217
EBITDA	108,375	66,223	113,899	84,823
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	1,944	4,031	4,692	7,993
Asset impairment charges		10,005	0	10,005
Loss on asset sales and disposals	(2,216)	(39,249)	(6,720)	(40,144)
Other income, net	86	684	105	1,195
Severance costs	1,600		1,600	1,663
Legal Fees and settlements	5,608	2,118	9,172	2,118
Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		(314)	0	1,293
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement			1,524	0
Net earnings (loss)	52,617	6,847	3,803	(32,852)
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 119,657	$ 120,628	$ 137,502	$ 146,844