Segment Reporting - Segment Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015	Feb. 28, 2014	Aug. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 8,355,728us-gaap_Revenues	$ 9,680,274us-gaap_Revenues	$ 17,855,196us-gaap_Revenues	$ 20,706,395us-gaap_Revenues
Cost of goods sold	8,111,365us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	9,238,840us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	17,020,110us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold	19,864,045us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold
Gross profit	244,363us-gaap_GrossProfit	441,434us-gaap_GrossProfit	835,086us-gaap_GrossProfit	842,350us-gaap_GrossProfit
Marketing, general and administrative	170,775	155,771	332,743	288,912
Operating earnings	73,588us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	285,663us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	502,343us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss	553,438us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Loss (gain) on investments	(2,199)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	(2,609)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	(5,074)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments	(2,609)us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Interest, net	9,490us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet	28,989us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet	30,091us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet	59,774us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet
Equity (income) loss from investments	(24,169)	(31,049)	(48,798)	(63,727)
Income before income taxes	90,466	290,332	526,124	560,000
Intersegment revenues	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties	0us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			512,510	389,537
Depreciation and amortization			148,784	127,199
Total assets	15,973,043us-gaap_Assets	14,304,257us-gaap_Assets	15,973,043us-gaap_Assets	14,304,257us-gaap_Assets	15,146,979us-gaap_Assets
Energy [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,947,297	2,961,193	4,965,750	6,202,509
Cost of goods sold	1,894,418	2,676,335	4,598,852	5,748,029
Gross profit	52,879	284,858	366,898	454,480
Marketing, general and administrative	46,758	38,042	80,126	70,097
Operating earnings	6,121	246,816	286,772	384,383
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	0	0
Interest, net	(7,264)	18,578	(3,443)	31,022
Equity (income) loss from investments	(736)	(849)	(1,076)	(2,157)
Income before income taxes	14,121	229,087	291,291	355,518
Intersegment revenues	(105,567)	(131,729)	(280,520)	(295,021)
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			273,989	221,742
Depreciation and amortization			69,118	66,174
Total assets	4,322,316	4,091,794	4,322,316	4,091,794
Ag
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	6,501,280	6,833,365	13,143,319	14,764,699
Cost of goods sold	6,326,607	6,694,245	12,710,939	14,411,048
Gross profit	174,673	139,120	432,380	353,651
Marketing, general and administrative	106,671	99,985	210,548	186,768
Operating earnings	68,002	39,135	221,832	166,883
Loss (gain) on investments	0	116	(2,875)	116
Interest, net	14,399	9,190	28,806	24,287
Equity (income) loss from investments	(4,442)	(8,213)	(4,463)	(14,690)
Income before income taxes	58,045	38,042	200,364	157,170
Intersegment revenues	(4,085)	0	(9,149)	0
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			212,140	159,810
Depreciation and amortization			73,408	55,603
Total assets	8,237,930	7,678,688	8,237,930	7,678,688
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	16,803	17,445	35,796	34,208
Cost of goods sold	(8)	(11)	(12)	(11)
Gross profit	16,811	17,456	35,808	34,219
Marketing, general and administrative	17,346	17,744	42,069	32,047
Operating earnings	(535)	(288)	(6,261)	2,172
Loss (gain) on investments	(2,199)	(2,725)	(2,199)	(2,725)
Interest, net	2,355	1,221	4,728	4,465
Equity (income) loss from investments	(18,991)	(21,987)	(43,259)	(46,880)
Income before income taxes	18,300	23,203	34,469	47,312
Intersegment revenues	0	0	0	0
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			26,381	7,985
Depreciation and amortization			6,258	5,422
Total assets	3,412,797	2,533,775	3,412,797	2,533,775
Reconciling Amounts
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	(109,652)	(131,729)	(289,669)	(295,021)
Cost of goods sold	(109,652)	(131,729)	(289,669)	(295,021)
Gross profit	0	0	0	0
Marketing, general and administrative	0	0	0	0
Operating earnings	0	0	0	0
Loss (gain) on investments	0	0	0	0
Interest, net	0	0	0	0
Equity (income) loss from investments	0	0	0	0
Income before income taxes	0	0	0	0
Intersegment revenues	109,652	131,729	289,669	295,021
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment			0	0
Depreciation and amortization			0	0
Total assets	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Sum of the carrying amounts as of the balance sheet date of all assets that are recognized. Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by an entity as a result of past transactions or events.

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.18)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 12

-Article 7

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 02

-Paragraph 18

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Assets
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Total costs related to goods produced and sold during the reporting period.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 2

-Article 5

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.2(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_CostOfGoodsSold
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate expense recognized in the current period that allocates the cost of tangible assets, intangible assets, or depleting assets to periods that benefit from use of the assets.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the net total realized and unrealized gain (loss) included in earnings for the period as a result of selling or holding marketable securities categorized as trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity, including the unrealized holding gain (loss) of held-to-maturity securities transferred to the trading security category and the cumulative unrealized gain (loss) which was included in other comprehensive income (a separate component of shareholders' equity) for available-for-sale securities transferred to trading securities during the period. Additionally, this item would include any gains (losses) realized during the period from the sale of investments accounted for under the cost method of accounting and losses recognized for other than temporary impairments (OTTI) of the subject investments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.7(c),9(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 10

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27405-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 320

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 9

-Subparagraph (c)-(e)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27724398&loc=d3e27357-111563

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 7

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainLossOnInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Aggregate revenue less cost of goods and services sold or operating expenses directly attributable to the revenue generation activity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GrossProfit
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This element represents the income or loss from continuing operations attributable to the economic entity which may also be defined as revenue less expenses from ongoing operations, after income or loss from equity method investments, but before income taxes, extraordinary items, and noncontrolling interest.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 940

-SubTopic 20

-Section 25

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35710027&loc=d3e41242-110953

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 235

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 10

-Article 5

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperationsBeforeIncomeTaxesExtraordinaryItemsNoncontrollingInterest
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

This item represents the entity's proportionate share for the period of the net income (loss) of its investee (such as unconsolidated subsidiaries and joint ventures) to which the equity method of accounting is applied. This item includes income or expense related to stock-based compensation based on the investor's grant of stock to employees of an equity method investee.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 28

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3602-108585

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 9

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 323

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35755396&loc=d3e33749-111570

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.12)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 11

-Article 7

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net amount of operating interest income (expense).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 942

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-04.10)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879574&loc=d3e536633-122882

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 04

-Paragraph 10

-Article 9

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OperatingIncomeLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of long-lived, physical assets that are used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale; includes cash outflows to pay for construction of self-constructed assets.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Investing Activities

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6516133

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 230

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 13

-Subparagraph (c)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=31042434&loc=d3e3213-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue, fees and commissions earned from transactions between (a) a parent company and its subsidiaries; (b) subsidiaries of a common parent; (c) an entity and trusts for the benefit of employees, for example, but not limited to, pension and profit-sharing trusts that are managed by or under the trusteeship of the entity's management; (d) an entity and its principal, owners, management, or members of their immediate families; and (e) affiliates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 225

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.1(e))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26872669&loc=d3e20235-122688

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 03

-Paragraph 1

-Article 5

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Glossary Related Parties

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=16382449

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 946

-SubTopic 225

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07.1(c))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6488393&loc=d3e606610-122999

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Regulation S-X (SX)

-Number 210

-Section 07

-Paragraph b

-Subparagraph 1

-Article 6

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RevenueFromRelatedParties
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of revenue recognized from goods sold, services rendered, insurance premiums, or other activities that constitute an earning process. Includes, but is not limited to, investment and interest income before deduction of interest expense when recognized as a component of revenue, and sales and trading gain (loss).

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_Revenues
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_SegmentReportingInformationLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_SellingGeneralAndAdministrativeExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=chscp_AgBusinessMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=chscp_EnergyMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateAndOtherMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_MaterialReconcilingItemsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: