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Debt (Narrative - Agribusiness Segment, Marketing And Distribution Segment, Corporate Activities, Capitalized Interest, And Restricted Net Assets) (Details) (USD $)
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3 Months Ended | 1 Months Ended | 0 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | 3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Mar. 31, 2014
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Dec. 31, 2013
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Mar. 19, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
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Feb. 28, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
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Dec. 31, 2013
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Seasonal Borrowings [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
BlendStar LLC [member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Corporate Activities [Member]
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Corporate Activities [Member]
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Capitalized Interest [Member]
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Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Net Assets [Member]
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| Debt Instrument [Line Items] | |||||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding note payable | $ 77,000,000 | $ 55,000,000 | $ 95,000,000 | $ 61,500,000 | $ 76,500,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt Issuance Costs Assigned To Liability | 4,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Convertible Debt Cross Default Threshold | 10,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Anticipated Tax Credits | 5,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Statutory Life In Years | 7 years | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument, interest rate, effective percentage | 1.00% | 8.21% | 5.75% | ||||||||||||||||
| Value Of Callable Debt Instrument | 8,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Principal payments (plus interest) | 200,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Undrawn Availability of Revolving Credit Facility On A ProForma Basis | 10,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Allowable Dividends As Percentage Of Net Profit Before Tax | 40.00% | 50.00% | |||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument amount | 22,000,000 | 125,000,000 | 10,000,000 | 120,000,000 | 90,000,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Debt maturity dates | Aug. 26, 2016 | Sep. 15, 2031 | |||||||||||||||||
| Additional amounts available under facility | 75,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Line of credit, maximum borrowing capacity | 250,000,000 | 50,000,000 | 130,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Restricted cash | 18,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revolving credit facility expiration date | Apr. 25, 2016 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt instrument stated percentage | 3.25% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion amount | 1,000 | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||||||||||||
| Common stock issued for conversion of 5.75% Notes | 89,950,000 | 89,950,000 | |||||||||||||||||
| Common stock for conversion of 5.75% Notes, shares | 72.6961 | 72.5846 | 6,532,713 | 47.9627 | |||||||||||||||
| Debt conversion price | $ 20.85 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Conversion price percentage | 140.00% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Principal amount of notes, percentage | 100.00% | ||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized interest | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Restricted assets | 686,900,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable, Net, Noncurrent | 8,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage | 1.00% | 8.21% | 5.75% | ||||||||||||||||
| Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount | 24,500,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Debt Issuance Cost | 5,100,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid | $ 0.04 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity | $ 250,000,000 | $ 50,000,000 | $ 130,000,000 | ||||||||||||||||