v2.4.0.8
Debt (Narrative - Agribusiness Segment, Marketing And Distribution Segment, Corporate Activities, Capitalized Interest, And Restricted Net Assets) (Details) (USD $)
6 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 0 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Mar. 19, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Feb. 28, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
Dec. 31, 2013
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Seasonal Borrowings [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Agribusiness Segment [Member]
Green Plains Grain [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolvers [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
Green Plains Trade [Member]
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Marketing And Distribution Segment [Member]
BlendStar LLC [member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Corporate Activities [Member]
3.25% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Corporate Activities [Member]
5.75% Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
Jun. 30, 2014
Restricted Net Assets [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                    
Outstanding note payable $ 77,000,000         $ 42,000,000 $ 95,000,000 $ 89,600,000 $ 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. 26, 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 25,000                                  
Restricted assets                                   663,000,000
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