CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2024	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net sales to external customers:	$ 7,925,972	$ 8,799,533	$ 8,913,481
Costs and operating expenses (income):
Cost of goods and services sold	6,567,287	6,987,618	7,057,085
Selling, general and administrative expenses	665,081	643,535	544,984
Interest expense	47,893	40,127	50,709
Asset impairments:	6,708	3,780	4,926
Loss (gain) on sale of assets	3,321	2,327	(275,422)
Loss on debt extinguishment	11	179	16,052
Total costs and expenses	7,290,301	7,677,566	7,398,334
Earnings before income taxes	635,671	1,121,967	1,515,147
Income taxes	150,180	262,207	297,885
Net earnings	$ 485,491	$ 859,760	$ 1,217,262
Earnings per share:
Basic (in shares)	$ 4.19	$ 7.34	$ 10.09
Diluted (in shares)	$ 4.14	$ 7.25	$ 9.95
Average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	115,844,977	117,077,703	120,648,090
Average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	117,152,552	118,606,271	122,372,386

Amount of write-down of assets recognized in the income statement. Includes, but is not limited to, losses from tangible assets, intangible assets and goodwill.

Name:	us-gaap_AssetImpairmentCharges
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate costs related to goods produced and sold and services rendered by an entity during the reporting period. This excludes costs incurred during the reporting period related to financial services rendered and other revenue generating activities.