XML 122 R76.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Equities - Narrative (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 30, 2017
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
May 31, 2016
USD ($)
$ / shares
Aug. 31, 2017
USD ($)
pools
Aug. 31, 2016
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2015
USD ($)
Aug. 31, 2014
USD ($)
Mar. 31, 2016
USD ($)
shares
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Patronage Refunds, Estimated       $ (111,587) $ (250,177)    
Distribution of patronage refunds     $ 103,879 251,740 271,226    
Cash partonage dividends payable     $ 0 $ 103,900 $ 251,700 $ 271,200  
Patronage source earnings, percentage allocated to reserves     10.00% 10.00% 10.00%    
Capital equity certificates, number of pools | pools     2        
Equity redemptions, age     70 years        
Retirements of equities     $ (35,268) $ (23,911) $ (128,907)    
Preferred stock dividends paid     (167,642) (163,324) (133,710)    
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Price per Share | $ / shares $ 28.74 $ 28.50          
Non-qualified Equity Certificates [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Patronage Refunds, Estimated     126,333    
Distribution of patronage refunds     (147,710)    
Patronage refunds and capital stock              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Distribution of patronage refunds       257,500 627,200 $ 821,500  
Capital Equity Certificates              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Patronage Refunds, Estimated     167,381 375,267    
Distribution of patronage refunds     (153,589) (375,506) $ (402,560)    
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount $ 17,400           $ 67,300
Stock Redeemed or Called During Period, Value $ 20,000 $ 76,800          
8% Preferred Stock [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount     306,800        
Class B, Series 1 Preferred Stock [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount     536,500        
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued | shares 695,390           2,693,195
Class B, Series 3 Preferred Stock [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount     492,500        
Class B, Series 2 Preferred Stock [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount     420,000        
Reclassification out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] | Accumulated Net Gain (Loss) from Cash Flow Hedges Attributable to Parent [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Loss on Discontinuation of Cash Flow Hedge Due to Forecasted Transaction Probable of Not Occurring       $ 3,700      
Fiscal Year 2017 [Domain]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Estimated payments for redemptions of equities     $ 10,000