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Fair Value Measurements | 6 Months Ended
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Feb. 28, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] |
Fair Value Measurements | Fair Value Measurements The following tables present assets and liabilities, included on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, that are recognized at fair value on a recurring basis, and indicate the fair value hierarchy utilized to determine such fair values. Assets and liabilities are classified, in their entirety, based on the lowest level of input that is a significant component of the fair value measurement. The lowest level of input is considered Level 3. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment and may affect the classification of fair value assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy levels. Recurring fair value measurements at February 28, 2015 and August 31, 2014 are as follows:
| February 28, 2015
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  | Total
| (Dollars in thousands)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Readily marketable inventories | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,246,484 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,246,484 |
Commodity and freight derivatives | 126,415 |  |  | 469,579 |  |  | — |  |  | 595,994 |
Foreign currency derivatives | 5,620 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 5,620 |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 12,390 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,390 |
Deferred compensation assets | 84,479 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 84,479 |
Other assets | 11,013 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 11,013 |
Total | $ | 227,527 |  |  | $ | 1,728,453 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,955,980 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commodity and freight derivatives | $ | 157,780 |  |  | $ | 307,205 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 464,985 |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 4,390 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,390 |
Foreign currency derivatives | 13,215 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 13,215 |
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | 121,070 |  |  | 121,070 |
Total | $ | 170,995 |  |  | $ | 311,595 |  |  | $ | 121,070 |  |  | $ | 603,660 |
| August 31, 2014
| Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |  | Total
| (Dollars in thousands)
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Readily marketable inventories | $ | — |  |  | $ | 921,554 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 921,554 |
Commodity and freight derivatives | 78,590 |  |  | 518,620 |  |  | — |  |  | 597,210 |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 4,200 |  |  | — |  |  | 4,200 |
Foreign currency derivatives | 2,523 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,523 |
Deferred compensation assets | 83,217 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 83,217 |
Other assets | 8,778 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 8,778 |
Total | $ | 173,108 |  |  | $ | 1,444,374 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 1,617,482 |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Commodity and freight derivatives | $ | 117,690 |  |  | $ | 479,922 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 597,612 |
Interest rate swap derivatives | — |  |  | 130 |  |  | — |  |  | 130 |
Foreign currency derivatives | 2,248 |  |  | — |  |  | — |  |  | 2,248 |
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests | — |  |  | — |  |  | 114,917 |  |  | 114,917 |
Total | $ | 119,938 |  |  | $ | 480,052 |  |  | $ | 114,917 |  |  | $ | 714,907 |
Readily marketable inventories — Our readily marketable inventories primarily include grain, oilseed, and minimally processed soy-based inventories that are stated at fair values. These commodities are readily marketable, have quoted market prices and may be sold without significant additional processing. We estimate the fair market values of these inventories included in Level 2 primarily based on exchange quoted prices, adjusted for differences in local markets. Changes in the fair market values of these inventories are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold. Commodity, freight and foreign currency derivatives — Exchange traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Our forward commodity purchase and sales contracts, flat price or basis fixed derivative contracts, ocean freight contracts and other OTC derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location specific inputs, and are classified within Level 2. The location specific inputs are generally broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold. Interest rate swap derivatives — Fair values of our interest rate swap liabilities are determined utilizing valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value such OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contracts, as well as market observable inputs, such as interest rates and credit risk assumptions, are factored into the models. As all significant inputs are market observable, all interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2. Changes in the fair values of contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest, net. See Note 11, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities for additional information about interest rate swaps designated as fair value and cash flow hedges. Deferred compensation and other assets — Our deferred compensation investments, Rabbi Trust assets and available-for-sale investments in common stock of other companies are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices on active exchanges and are classified within Level 1. Changes in the fair values of these other assets are primarily recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses. Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payment related to purchase of noncontrolling interests — The fair value of the accrued contingent consideration liability was calculated utilizing an average price option model, an adjusted Black-Scholes pricing model commonly used in the energy industry to value options. The model uses market observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Due to significant unobservable inputs used in the pricing model, the liability is classified within Level 3.
Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements
|  | Fair Value |  |  |  |  |  | Range
Item |  | February 28, 2015 (Dollars in thousands) |  | Valuation Technique |  | Unobservable Input |  | (Weighted Average)
Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests |  | $121,070 |  | Adjusted Black-Scholes option pricing model |  | Forward crack spread margin on February 28, 2015 (a) |  | $20.78-$21.79 ($21.55)
| Contractual target crack spread margin (b) |  | $17.50
| Expected volatility (c) |  | 165.25%
| Risk-free interest rate (d) |  | 0.09%-0.94% (0.53%)
| Expected life - years (e) |  | 0.50-2.50 (1.57)
(a) Represents forward crack spread margin quotes and management estimates based on future settlement dates (b) Represents the minimum contractual threshold that would require settlement with the counterparties (c) Represents quarterly adjusted volatility estimates derived from daily historical market data (d) Represents yield curves for U.S. Treasury securities (e) Represents the range in the number of years remaining related to each contingent payment Valuation processes for Level 3 measurements — Management is responsible for determining the fair value of our Level 3 financial instruments. Option pricing methods are utilized, as indicated above. Inputs used in the option pricing models are based on quotes obtained from third party vendors as well as management estimates for periods in which quotes cannot be obtained. Each reporting period, management reviews the unobservable inputs provided by third-party vendors for reasonableness utilizing relevant information available to us. Management also takes into consideration current and expected market trends and compares the liability’s fair value to hypothetical payments using known historical market data to assess reasonableness of the resulting fair value. Sensitivity analysis of Level 3 measurements — The significant unobservable inputs that are susceptible to periodic fluctuations used in the fair value measurement of the accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to the purchase of noncontrolling interests are the adjusted forward crack spread margin and the expected volatility. Significant increases (decreases) in either of these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher (lower) fair value measurement. Although changes in the expected volatility are driven by fluctuations in the underlying crack spread margin, changes in expected volatility are not necessarily accompanied by a directionally similar change in the forward crack spread margin. Directional changes in the expected volatility can be affected by a multitude of factors including the magnitude of daily fluctuations in the underlying market data, market trends, timing of fluctuations, and other factors. The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
|  | Level 3 Liabilities
|  | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, November 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively |  | $ | 86,520 |  |  | $ | 150,991 |
Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold |  | 34,550 |  |  | (10,360 | )
Balances, February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively |  | $ | 121,070 |  |  | $ | 140,631 |
The following table represents a reconciliation of liabilities measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively:
|  | Level 3 Liabilities
|  | Accrued liability for contingent crack spread payments related to purchase of noncontrolling interests
|  | 2015 |  | 2014
|  | (Dollars in thousands)
Balances, August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively |  | $ | 114,917 |  |  | $ | 134,134 |
Total (gains) losses included in cost of goods sold |  | 6,153 |  |  | 6,497 |
Balances, February 28, 2015 and 2014, respectively |  | $ | 121,070 |  |  | $ | 140,631 |
There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 21 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13537-108611 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 10 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13433-108611 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14064-108612 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 820 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 2 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=36462937&loc=d3e19207-110258 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 30 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957238&loc=d3e14172-108612 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 16 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35750535&loc=d3e13504-108611 + Details
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