XML 43 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.6
Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2011
Grain_Export_Facilities
Aug. 31, 2012
Ventura Foods, LLC
Aug. 31, 2011
Multigrain AG
Aug. 31, 2010
Multigrain AG
Aug. 31, 2012
Agrillance LLC
Aug. 31, 2011
Agrillance LLC
Sale of the Agriliance Retail Facilities
Aug. 31, 2010
Agrillance LLC
Sale of the Agriliance Retail Facilities
Aug. 31, 2012
Agrillance LLC
Transfer of Pension Plan Assets And Liabilities
Aug. 31, 2012
Agrillance LLC
Land O' Lakes
Aug. 31, 2012
TEMCO, LLC
Aug. 31, 2012
TEMCO, LLC
Cargill, Inc.
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                      
Defined benefit plan, transfer of liabilities in         $ 84,500,000            
Ownership percentage   50.00% 45.00%   50.00%       50.00% 50.00% 50.00%
Equity value exceeding carrying value   12,900,000                  
Payments to acquire interest in joint venture       24,000,000              
Joint venture, net sales proceeds     225,000,000                
Joint venture, realized gain (loss) on disposal     119,700,000     9,000,000 28,400,000 (800,000)      
Payments to acquire equity method investments         45,400,000            
Proceeds from joint venture, dividends or distributions, return of capital           28,000,000 105,000,000 12,700,000      
Long-term supply commitment, term                   25 years  
Number of grain export facilities 2                    
Defined benefit plan, transfer of assets in         $ 97,200,000