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Debt (Narrative - Ethanol Production Segment) (Details) - Ethanol Production Segment [Member] - Green Plains Processing [Member] - Term Loan [Member] | 3 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
Debt instrument, face amount | $ 345,000,000
Interest rate, effective percentage | 6.50%
Interest rate, basis for effective rate | LIBOR, subject to a 1.00% floor, plus
Scheduled periodic principal payments | $ 900,000
Maximum [Member] |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
Total leverage ratio, initial ratio | 4.00
Total leverage ratio, decreased ratio over the life of the debt | 3.25
Total leverage ratio, period end | 3.75
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, subject to certain limitations, required to be used toward quarterly special payments | 75.00%
Minimum [Member] |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
Interest rate, basis spread on variable rate, percentage | 1.00%
Fixed charge coverage ratio | 1.25
Percentage of available free cash flow from operations, subject to certain limitations, required to be used toward quarterly special payments | 50.00%
LIBOR [Member] |
Debt Instrument [Line Items] |
Interest rate, basis spread on variable rate, percentage | 5.50%

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