v2.4.1.9

Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015		Mar. 31, 2014	Jan. 22, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014	Jan. 21, 2014
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates	$ 4,600,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions		$ 65,600,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions
Proceeds from returns of investments in affiliates	0us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments		31,457,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments
Percentage of shares acquired from subsidiary (percentage)	100.00%ande_PercentageOfNewCumulativePreferredConvertibleSharesAcquired
Voting interest in IANR (percentage)	49.90%ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesOwnershipPercentage
Voting interest held by the common shareholders (percentage)	50.10%ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesOwnershipPercentageHeldByCommonShareholders
Rate of dividends accrued annually (percentage)	14.00%ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesRateOfDividendsAccrueToCompany
Estimated fair value of the Company's investment in IANR	13,300,000ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesEstimatedFairValueOfCompanyInvestment
Current maximum exposure to loss related to IANR	21,600,000us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Investment and unpaid accrued dividends	8,300,000ande_VariableInterestEntityUnpaidAccruedDividends
Revenues recognized for the sale of ethanol	101,800,000ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfEthanol		144,300,000ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfEthanol
Revenues recognized for the sale of corn	96,700,000ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfCorn		117,200,000ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfCorn
Related party, Gross asset	2,400,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeAsset		24,000,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeAsset		1,400,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeAsset
Related party, Gross liability	300,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeLiability		10,300,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeLiability		3,800,000ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeLiability
Thompsons Limited
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = ande_ThompsonsLimitedMember	[1]
The Andersons Ethanol Investment LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	66.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = ande_AndersonsEthanolInvestmentLlcMember
Noncontrolling interest is attributed of all gains and losses of parent (percentage)	34.00%us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = ande_AndersonsEthanolInvestmentLlcMember
The Andersons Marathon Ethanol LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)	50.00%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis = ande_AndersonsMarathonEthanolLlcMember
Lansing Trade Group LLC
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Agreement for partial redemption of equity method investment				60,000,000ande_PaymentsforPartialRedemptionofEquityMethodInvestment / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Percentage of company ownership interest (percentage)				39.20%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember		47.50%us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Total distributions received from unconsolidated affiliates				28,500,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentDividendsOrDistributions / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Proceeds from returns of investments in affiliates				31,500,000us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfEquityMethodInvestments / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal			17,100,000us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal, Net of Tax			$ 10,700,000ande_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossonDisposalNetofTax / us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis = ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
[1] Thompsons Limited and related U.S. operating company held by joint ventures

X

- Definition

Equity Method Investment, Realized Gain (Loss) on Disposal, Net of Tax

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossonDisposalNetofTax
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Estimated fair value of Company investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesEstimatedFairValueOfCompanyInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities, Ownership percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Ownership percentage held by common shareholders.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesOwnershipPercentageHeldByCommonShareholders
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Investment in Debt Securities Rate of dividends accrue to company.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_InvestmentInDebtSecuritiesRateOfDividendsAccrueToCompany
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Payments for Partial Redemption of Equity Method Investment

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_PaymentsforPartialRedemptionofEquityMethodInvestment
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Variable Interest Entity Investment Acquisition Percentage.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_PercentageOfNewCumulativePreferredConvertibleSharesAcquired
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Related party derivative asset.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeAsset
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Related party derivative liability.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_RelatedPartyDerivativeLiability
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Revenues recognized for the sale of Corn.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfCorn
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Revenues recognized for the sale of Ethanol.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_RevenuesRecognizedForSaleOfEthanol
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Variable interest entity unpaid accrued dividends.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	ande_VariableInterestEntityUnpaidAccruedDividends
Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

This item represents disclosure of the amount of dividends or other distributions received from unconsolidated subsidiaries, certain corporate joint ventures, and certain noncontrolled corporation; these investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. This element excludes distributions that constitute a return of investment, which are classified as investing activities.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3602-108585



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 13

-Article 5

+ Details

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

X

- Definition

The percentage of ownership of common stock or equity participation in the investee accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 3

-Subparagraph (a)(1)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6382943&loc=d3e33918-111571

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentOwnershipPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

Amount of gain (loss) on sale or disposal of an equity method investment.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentRealizedGainLossOnDisposal
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The equity interest of noncontrolling shareholders, partners or other equity holders in consolidated entity.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MinorityInterestOwnershipPercentageByNoncontrollingOwners
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

The cash inflow associated with the sale of equity method investments, which are investments in joint ventures and entities in which the entity has an equity ownership interest normally of 20 to 50 percent and exercises significant influence.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 12

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=56944662&loc=d3e3179-108585

+ Details

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

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

The reporting entity's maximum amount of exposure to loss as a result of its involvement with the Variable Interest Entity (VIE).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 4

-Subparagraph b

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=d3e5728-111685



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 810

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 6

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=52262685&loc=d3e5747-111685

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_VariableInterestEntityEntityMaximumLossExposureAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=ande_AndersonsEthanolInvestmentLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=ande_AndersonsMarathonEthanolLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=ande_ThompsonsLimitedMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

X

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis=ande_LansingTradeGroupLlcMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: