XML 22 R38.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Investments - Narrative (Details) (USD $)
3 Months Ended 3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2013
Nov. 30, 2013
Horizon Milling, LLC [Member]
Nov. 30, 2013
Ventura Foods, LLC
Nov. 30, 2013
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Nov. 30, 2012
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Aug. 31, 2013
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Nov. 30, 2013
Contingent Liability [Member]
National Cooperative Refinery Association [Member]
Oct. 31, 2013
Crack Spread Contingent Payment [Member]
Nov. 30, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Spiritwood fertilizer plant [Member]
Nov. 30, 2013
Maximum [Member]
Spiritwood fertilizer plant [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]                    
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Equity Interest in Acquiree, Percentage       84.00%   79.20%        
Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid               $ 16,500,000    
Business Combination, Step Acquisition, Amount       66,000,000 66,000,000          
Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value             151,000,000      
Ownership percentage   24.00% 50.00%              
Equity value exceeding carrying value     12,900,000              
Expected ownership of future joint venture 12.00%                  
Expected borrowings of future joint venture 600,000,000                  
Expected future investment                 1,000,000,000  
Research and Development Expense                   $ 25,000,000