Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 29, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
ASSETS
Cash	$ 146	$ 46
Current bond trust		1,644
Receivables
Trade accounts	14,723	19,288
Patrons		15,460
Receivable from affiliates	5,465	4,456
Other receivables	109	109
Total Receivables	20,297	39,313
Inventories
Refined sugar, in-process sugar, pulp and molasses to be sold on a pooled basis	132,708	38,834
Non-member refined sugar	2,409	4,730
Sugarbeet inventory	10,935
Yeast	177	157
Materials and supplies	13,149	15,761
Total Inventories	159,378	59,482
Deferred charges	847	1,693
Prepaid expenses	2,049	2,111
Prepaid beet seed	8,642
Current deferred income tax asset	27	11
Total Current Assets	191,386	104,300
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Land and land improvements	29,622	28,742
Buildings	37,964	37,883
Factory/Agricultural equipment	163,884	159,371
Other equipment	6,633	6,620
Capitalized leases	3,331	3,353
Construction in progress	11,120	13,917
Total Property, Plant and Equipment	252,554	249,886
Less accumulated depreciation	(149,176)	(144,527)
Net Property, Plant and Equipment	103,378	105,359
OTHER ASSETS
Investment in other cooperatives and other corporations	10,721	10,921
Investment in unconsolidated marketing subsidiaries	226	181
Beet chemicals	3,388	4,063
Bond trust		1,912
Bond financing costs - net of amortization	282	297
Other long-term assets	2,053	3,446
Total Other Assets	16,670	20,820
TOTAL ASSETS	311,434	230,479
LIABILITIES AND PATRONS' INVESTMENT
Short-term notes payable	76,812	40,646
Current portion of long-term debt and capital leases	2,991	3,012
Accounts payable:
Trade	7,734	18,459
Checks outstanding	1,009	928
Patrons	48,765	24,377
Total Accounts Payable	57,508	43,764
Income tax	69
Payable to affiliates	1,503	1,674
Accrued liabilities	9,190	3,788
Total Current Liabilities	148,073	92,884
LONG-TERM DEBT, CAPITAL LEASES, AND BONDS PAYABLE, NET OF CURRENT PORTION	40,997	42,901
LONG-TERM DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITY	133	177
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	657	753
LONG-TERM PENSION LIABILITY	16,115	17,050
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Total Liabilities	205,975	153,765
PATRONS' INVESTMENT
Total Preferred stock	18,483	18,483
Common stock, 600 shares authorized, $250 par value; issued and outstanding, 476 shares at February 29, 2012 and 476 shares at August 31, 2011	119	119
Paid in capital in excess of par value	32,094	32,094
Unit retention capital	3,104	3,104
Nonqualified allocated patronage	57,004	28,299
Accumulated other comprehensive loss-interest swap	(951)	(903)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss-pension	(15,541)	(15,571)
Retained earnings	11,147	11,089
Total Patrons' Investment	105,459	76,714
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND PATRONS' INVESTMENT	311,434	230,479
Preferred Stock Class A [Member]
PATRONS' INVESTMENT
Total Preferred stock	7,581	7,581
Preferred Stock Class B [Member]
PATRONS' INVESTMENT
Total Preferred stock	5,415	5,415
Preferred Stock Class C [Member]
PATRONS' INVESTMENT
Total Preferred stock	$ 5,487	$ 5,487