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Debt (Narrative - Ethanol Production Segment) (Details) - Ethanol Production Segment [Member] - Green Plains Processing [Member] - Term Loan [Member]
3 Months Ended
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%