Derivatives (Tables)

12 Months Ended

Aug. 31, 2014

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Purchase and Sales Contracts [Table Text Block]

As of August 31, 2014 and 2013, we had the following outstanding purchase and sale contracts:



	2014		2013
	Purchase Contracts	Sale Contracts	Purchase Contracts	Sale Contracts
	(Units in thousands)
Grain and oilseed - bushels	665,690	938,140	521,979	806,295
Energy products - barrels	27,754	50,450	12,626	21,312
Soy products - tons	37	1,212	24	847
Crop nutrients - tons	1,613	1,607	968	1,050
Ocean and barge freight - metric tons	5,423	4,005	1,225	151
Rail freight - rail cars	321	186	220	43
Livestock - pounds	—	46,280	—	17,280

Schedule of Other Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location [Table Text Block]

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The majority of our derivative instruments have not been designated as hedging instruments. The following table sets forth the pretax gains (losses) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments that have been included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012.



	Location of Gain (Loss)	2014			2013			2012
		(Dollars in thousands)
Commodity and freight derivatives	Cost of goods sold	$	210,164		$	(482,352	)	$	311,167
Foreign exchange derivatives	Cost of goods sold	(5,595		)	(452		)	(5,219		)
Interest rate derivatives	Interest, net	114			300			206
Total		$	204,683		$	(482,504	)	$	306,154

Derivative Instruments, Gain (Loss) [Table Text Block]

During fiscal 2014 we recorded offsetting fair value adjustments of $4.2 million, with no ineffectiveness recorded in earnings.

Schedule of Derivative Instruments [Table Text Block]

The following tables present the gross amounts of derivative assets, derivative liabilities, and margin deposits (cash collateral) recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets along with the related amounts permitted to be offset in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We have elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities when we have the right of offset under ASC Topic 210-20, Balance Sheet - Offsetting; or when the instruments are subject to master netting arrangements under ASC Topic 815-10-45, Derivatives and Hedging - Overall.



	August 31, 2014
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	597,210	$	—	$	42,229	$	554,981
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,523		—		1,174		1,349
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	4,200		—		—		4,200
Total	$	603,933	$	—	$	43,403	$	560,530
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	597,612	$	2,504	$	42,229	$	552,879
Foreign exchange derivatives	2,248		—		1,174		1,074
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	130		—		—		130
Total	$	599,990	$	2,504	$	43,403	$	554,083



	August 31, 2013
			Amounts Not Offset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet but Eligible for Offsetting
	Gross Amounts Recognized		Cash Collateral		Derivative Instruments		Net Amounts
	(Dollars in thousands)
Derivative Assets:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	468,673	$	—	$	53,107	$	415,566
Foreign exchange derivatives	7,079		—		957		6,122
Interest rate derivatives - hedge	24,135		—		—		24,135
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	3		—		3		—
Total	$	499,890	$	—	$	54,067	$	445,823
Derivative Liabilities:
Commodity and freight derivatives	$	458,893	$	1,591	$	53,107	$	404,195
Foreign exchange derivatives	5,925		—		957		4,968
Interest rate derivatives - non-hedge	248		—		3		245
Total	$	465,066	$	1,591	$	54,067	$	409,408

Schedule of Derivative Instruments, Effect on Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Table Text Block]