Acquisitions	12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition	Acquisitions During the year ended August 31, 2017, we acquired various businesses for $13.1 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. During the year ended August 31, 2016, we acquired various businesses primarily in our Ag segment for $50.3 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. During the year ended August 31, 2015, we acquired various businesses in our Ag segment for $321.0 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. Included among these transactions was the June 2015 acquisition of Patriot Holdings, LLC, which operates an ethanol plant that has expanded our grain origination opportunities and increased our renewable fuels capacity. Additionally, we acquired Northstar Agri Industries, a canola processing and refining business in July 2015. The acquisition expanded our oilseed processing platform to include canola in addition to soybeans, expanded our oil product offerings to global food companies, and linked growers selling canola seed to CHS to an integrated supply chain. CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. (formerly National Cooperative Refinery Association or "NCRA") In November 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock transfer agreement between us and GROWMARK, Inc. ("Growmark"), and a stock transfer agreement between us and MFA Oil Company ("MFA"). Prior to the first closing under these agreements, we owned approximately 74.4% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock. With the final closing in September 2015, our ownership increased to 100%. The entity is now known as CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. ("CHS McPherson"). Pursuant to the agreement with Growmark and MFA, we acquired the remaining capital stock for an aggregate base purchase price of $351.0 million. In addition, Growmark and MFA were entitled to receive up to two contingent purchase price payments following each individual closing, calculated as set forth in the agreement with Growmark and MFA, if the average crack spread margin referred to therein over the year ending on August 31 of the calendar year in which the contingent payment date fell exceeded a specified target. Total contingent consideration payments made were $19.1 million. No payments were made during the year ended August 31, 2017. In accordance with ASC Topic 480, patronage earned by Growmark and MFA has been included as interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. No interest was recognized during the years ended August 31, 2017 or 2016. During the year ended August 31, 2015, $31.0 million was recognized as interest expense for the patronage earned by Growmark and MFA.

Acquisitions

During the year ended August 31, 2017, we acquired various businesses for $13.1 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.

During the year ended August 31, 2016, we acquired various businesses primarily in our Ag segment for $50.3 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements.

During the year ended August 31, 2015, we acquired various businesses in our Ag segment for $321.0 million in consideration. These acquisitions were not material, individually or in aggregate, to our consolidated financial statements. Included among these transactions was the June 2015 acquisition of Patriot Holdings, LLC, which operates an ethanol plant that has expanded our grain origination opportunities and increased our renewable fuels capacity. Additionally, we acquired Northstar Agri Industries, a canola processing and refining business in July 2015. The acquisition expanded our oilseed processing platform to include canola in addition to soybeans, expanded our oil product offerings to global food companies, and linked growers selling canola seed to CHS to an integrated supply chain.

CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. (formerly National Cooperative Refinery Association or "NCRA")

In November 2011, our Board of Directors approved a stock transfer agreement between us and GROWMARK, Inc. ("Growmark"), and a stock transfer agreement between us and MFA Oil Company ("MFA"). Prior to the first closing under these agreements, we owned approximately 74.4% of NCRA’s outstanding capital stock. With the final closing in September 2015, our ownership increased to 100%. The entity is now known as CHS McPherson Refinery Inc. ("CHS McPherson").

Pursuant to the agreement with Growmark and MFA, we acquired the remaining capital stock for an aggregate base purchase price of $351.0 million. In addition, Growmark and MFA were entitled to receive up to two contingent purchase price payments following each individual closing, calculated as set forth in the agreement with Growmark and MFA, if the average crack spread margin referred to therein over the year ending on August 31 of the calendar year in which the contingent payment date fell exceeded a specified target. Total contingent consideration payments made were $19.1 million. No payments were made during the year ended August 31, 2017.

In accordance with ASC Topic 480, patronage earned by Growmark and MFA has been included as interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. No interest was recognized during the years ended August 31, 2017 or 2016. During the year ended August 31, 2015, $31.0 million was recognized as interest expense for the patronage earned by Growmark and MFA.