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Fair Value Of Companys Derivative By Contract Type [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments - Fair Value of company's Derivative by Contract Type [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments - Fair Value of Companys Derivatives [Abstract] Disclosure Fair Value Measurements And Derivative Instruments Fair Value Of Companys Derivatives [Abstract] Disclosure - Fair Value Measurements and Derivative Instruments - Fair Value of Companys Derivatives [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Income Taxes Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Legal Proceedings And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Legal Proceedings And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Legal Proceedings And Contingencies Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Share Based Payments [Text Block] STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Disclosure - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("OCI") - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) [Abstract] Disclosure Other Comprehensive Income Loss O C I Components Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Incomeloss [Abstract] Disclosure - Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) ("OCI") - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (loss) [Abstract] Disclosure Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plans Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plans Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure Pension And Postretirement Benefit Plans Components Of Net Periodic Benefit Cost [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Reporting Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Reporting Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure Segment Reporting Additional Information [Abstract] Disclosure - Segment Reporting - Assets by Segment [Abstract] Disclosure Segment 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Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, Report Line [Domain] Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Period For Recognition 1 Weighted-average period over which unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized (in years) Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Share Based Awards Other Than Options Compensation expense related to unvested awards not yet recognized Employee Service Share Based Compensation Nonvested Awards Total Compensation Cost Not Yet Recognized Stock Options Compensation expense related to non-vested awards not yet recognized Employee Service Share Based Compensation Tax Benefit From Compensation Expense Income tax benefit Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Information [Line Items] Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Escrowed Funds Released Escrowed Funds Released Escrowed payments received Escrow Receivable Escrow Receivable Remaining escrowed payments Ethanol Futures [Member] Ethanol Futures [Member] Ethanol Futures [Member] Ethanol Plant [Member] Ethanol Plant [Member] Ethanol [Member] Ethanol Swaps [Member] Ethanol Swaps [Member] Ethanol Swaps [Member] Exercisable Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Exercisable Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Exercisable Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Fair Value By Fair Value Hierarchy Level [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fair Value Hedging [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 1 [Member] Level 1 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 2 [Member] Level 2 [Member] Fair Value Inputs Level 3 [Member] Level 3 [Member] Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, 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[Member] Granted During Period Option Price Range [Member] Gross Profit Gross margin Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Axis] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Designation [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Hedging Relationship [Domain] Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Extraordinary Items Noncontrolling Interest Income from operations before income taxes Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement Balance Sheet And Additional Disclosures By Disposal Groups Including Discontinued Operations [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Axis] Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] INCOME TAXES Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes [Line Items] Income Taxes Receivable Income tax receivable Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Taxes [Table] Income Tax Expense Benefit Income tax expense Increase Decrease In Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Increase 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Materials Raw materials Inventory Work In Process Work in progress Iowa Department Of Economic Development loans [Member] Iowa Department Of Economic Development Loans [Member] Iowa Department Of Economic Development Loans [Member] Land Land Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Matters And Contingencies [Text Block] LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AND CONTINGENCIES Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Liabilities Current Total current liabilities Liabilities Current [Abstract] Current liabilities: Line Of Credit Facility Amount Outstanding Line of credit, amount outstanding Loan Period Loan Period Loan period (in years) Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Long-term debt and capital lease obligations Long Term Debt And Capital Lease Obligations Current Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingencies [Line Items] Loss Contingency Damages Awarded Value Amount of issued written decision to award purchaser Loss Contingency Estimate Of Possible Loss Amount of allowance established to cover arbitrator's award and other cost Materials Supplies And Other Material and supplies Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Natural Gas Futures [Member] Natural Gas Futures [Member] Natural Gas Futures [Member] Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Net cash used in financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Net cash flow provided by operating activities Net Income Loss Net income Net income Net Income Loss [Abstract] Numerator: Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic Net income applicable to common shares New Accounting Pronouncements Policy Policy [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements Nondesignated [Member] Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] Non Employee Directors [Member] Non Employee Directors [Member] Non Employee Directors [Member] Non Qualified Stock Options And Restricted Stock [Member] Non Qualified Stock Options And Restricted Stock [Member] Non Qualified Stock Options And Restricted Stock [Member] Number Of Non Interest Bearing Loans Number Of Non Interest Bearing Loans Number of non interest bearing loans Number Of Reportable Segments Number of segments Open Position [Member] Open Position [Member] Open Position [Member] Operating Expense [Member] Operating Expense [Member] 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Income Loss Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Adjustment Net Of Tax Gains (Losses) on Postretirement Obligations, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment On Derivatives Included In Net Income Net Of Tax Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(1,339) and $(368) Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Adjustment On Derivatives Included In Net Income Tax Loss (gain) from derivative transactions reclassified into earnings from other comprehensive income, tax Other Comprehensive Income Loss Reclassification Pension And Other Postretirement Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Tax Amortization of actuarial loss, Tax Other Comprehensive Income Reclassification Of Defined Benefit Plans Net Gain Loss Recognized In Net Periodic Benefit Cost Net Of Tax Amortization of actuarial loss, net of taxes of $209 Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedging Instruments, Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Due To Change In Fair Value Arising During Period Net of Tax Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Due To Change In Fair Value Arising During Period Net Of Tax Change in fair value of derivatives, net of tax benefit (expense) of $(189) and $168 Other Current Assets [Member] Other Current Assets [Member] Other Liabilities Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Nonoperating Income Expense Other non-operating income (expense), net Other Postretirement Benefits Payable Noncurrent Other postretirement benefits Outstanding Beginning Balance Option Price Range [Member] Outstanding Beginning Balance Option Price Range [Member] Outstanding Beginning Balance Option Price Range [Member] Outstanding Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Outstanding Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Outstanding Ending Balance Option Price Range [Member] Paid In Kind Interest Non-cash interest on Series A Preferred Stock Payables Related To Property Plant And Equipment Payables Related To Property Plant And Equipment Payables related to property, plant and equipment Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Other Payments To Acquire Property Plant And Equipment Acquisition of property, plant and equipment, net Pension And Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] PENSION AND POST-RETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Pension Plans Defined Benefit [Member] Pension Benefits [Member] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Axis] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Domain] Plant And Equipment Gross Plant And Equipment Gross Plant and equipment Postretirement Healthcare Plans [Member] Postretirement Healthcare Plans [Member] Postretirement Healthcare Plans [Member] Potentially Forgivable Loan Amount Potentially Forgivable Loan Amount Potentially forgivable loan amount Preferred Stock Dividend Rate Percentage State income taxes and dividends and accretion of discount Preferred Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock Shares Authorized Preferred stock, share authorized Preferred Stock Shares Issued Preferred stock, share issued Preferred Stock Value Preferred stock, par value $1.00 per share, authorized 1,000 shares, none issued Prepaid Expense Current Prepaid expenses Price Risk Cash Flow Hedge Unrealized Gain Loss To Be Reclassified During Next 12 Months Deferred loss, net of tax, recorded in other comprehensive income Proceeds From Long Term Lines Of Credit Proceeds from revolving line of credit Proceeds From Payments For Other Financing Activities Other Proceeds From Repayments Of Bank Overdrafts Increase 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Schedule of Defined Benefit Plans Disclosures [Table] Schedule Of Derivative Assets At Fair Value Table [Text Block] Fair Values of Company's Derivatives Schedule Of Derivative Instruments Effect On Other Comprehensive Income Loss Table [Text Block] Effect of Derivative Instruments on Companys' Financial Performance Schedule Of Derivatives Instruments Statements Of Financial Performance And Financial Position Location Table [Text Block] Fair Values of Company's Derivatives by Contract Type Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Reconciliation Table [Text Block] Reconciliation of Income from Operations Applicable to Common Shares and Computation of Diluted Weighted Average Shares Outstanding Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs By Report Line [Axis] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs, by Report Line [Axis] Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule Of Employee Service Share Based Compensation Allocation Of Recognized Period Costs [Text Block] Schedule of Employee Service Share-Based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs Schedule Of Inventory Current Table [Text Block] Components of inventory Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items] Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items] Schedule Of Inventory [Line Items] Schedule Of Inventory [Table] Schedule Of Inventory [Table] Schedule Of Inventory [Table] Schedule Of Net Benefit Costs Table [Text Block] Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost Schedule Of Notional Amounts Of Outstanding Derivative Positions Table [Text Block] Outstanding Futures Contracts Schedule Of Property Plant And Equipment [Table] Schedule of Property, Plant and Equipment [Table] Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment [Text Block] Segment Wide Reporting Information Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Restricted Stock Units Award Activity Table [Text Block] Schedule of Share-Based Compensation, Restricted Stock Award Activity Schedule Of Share Based Compensation Stock Options Activity Table [Text Block] Schedule of Share Based Compensation Stock Options Activity Schedule Of Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions Table [Text Block] Schedule of Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions Segment [Domain] Segment [Domain] Segment Reporting Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting, Asset Reconciling Item [Line Items] Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] SEGMENT REPORTING Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Share Based Compensation Stock-based compensation Total stock-based compensation expense Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Award Vesting Period 1 Vesting period (in years) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeited In Period Shares, Cancelled Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Forfeitures Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Cancelled (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period Shares, Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Granted (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Number Shares, Nonvested at November 30, 2012 Shares, Nonvested at August 31, 2011 Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Nonvested Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Ending balance (in USD per share) Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Beginning balance (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Shares, Vested Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Equity Instruments Other Than Options Vested In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-Average Grant-Date Fair Value, Vested (in USD per share) Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Term 1 Expected life (years) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Expected Volatility Rate Expected volatility Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Maximum Interest rate, Maximum Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Fair Value Assumptions Risk Free Interest Rate Minimum Interest rate, Minimum Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Number Of Shares Available For Grant Number of common shares available for issuance under the plan (in shares) Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Intrinsic Value 1 Aggregate Intrinsic value, Options Exercisable Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Number Options exercisable, end of period, Shares Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Exercisable, end of period (in USD per share) Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Exercisable Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term 1 Weighted Average Remaining Term, Options Exercisable (in years) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures And Expirations In Period Shares, Cancelled Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Gross Shares, Granted Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted-average fair values (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Intrinsic Value Aggregate Intrinsic value, Outstanding, Ending Balance Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Number Options outstanding, end of period, Shares Options outstanding, beginning of period, Shares Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding end of period (in USD per share) Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Options Outstanding beginning of period (in USD per share) Sharebased Compensation Arrangement By Sharebased Payment Award Options Outstanding Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term 2 Weighted Average Remaining Term, Outstanding, Ending Balance (in years) Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Award Type And Plan Name [Domain] Award Type [Domain] Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Exercises In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Exercised (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Forfeitures In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Cancelled (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Arrangements By Share Based Payment Award Options Grants In Period Weighted Average Exercise Price Weighted-Average Exercise Price, Granted (in USD per share) Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans By Exercise Price Range [Axis] Exercise Price Range [Axis] Share Based Compensation Shares Authorized Under Stock Option Plans Exercise Price Range [Domain] Share-based Compensation, Shares Authorized under Stock Option Plans, Exercise Price Range [Domain] Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction By Supplier [Axis] Supplier [Axis] Share Based Goods And Nonemployee Services Transaction Supplier [Domain] Share-based Goods and Nonemployee Services Transaction, Supplier [Domain] Share Price Share price of Company's stock (in USD per share) Statement Business Segments [Axis] Business Segments [Axis] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement of Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Statement Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Stockholders Equity Total shareholders' equity Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Shareholders' equity: Stock Issued During Period Shares Stock Options Exercised Shares, Exercised Stock Options [Member] Stock Options [Member] Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] BALANCE SHEET DETAILS Tax Credit Carryforward Amount Valuation allowance Tax Credit Carry Forward Expiration Year Tax Credit Carry Forward Expiration Year Tax credit carryforwards related to expiration period Text Block [Abstract] Text Block [Abstract] Trading Activity By Type [Axis] Trading Activity [Axis] Trading Activity By Type [Domain] Trading Activity, by Type [Domain] Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Treasury Stock Shares Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock Value Treasury stock, at cost, 1,981 shares Two consecutive quarters. Two Consecutive Quarters [Member] Two Consecutive Quarters [Member] Two Thousand Six Long Term Incentive Plan Two Thousand Six Long Term Incentive Plan [Member] 2006 Incentive Plan [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Two Thousand Twelve Revolving Credit Facility [Member] 2012 Agreement [Member] Undistributed Earnings Allocated To Participating Securities Less: Allocation to participating securities Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives And Commodity Contracts Non-cash loss (gain) on hedging transactions Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties And Interest Accrued Accrued interest and penalties included in long-term tax liability Unrecognized Tax Benefits Income Tax Penalties Expense Liability increase relating to unrecognized tax benefits, penalties Unrecognized Tax Benefits Interest On Income Taxes Expense Liability increase relating to unrecognized tax benefits, interest Use Of Estimates Use of Estimates Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding, diluted Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding [Abstract] Weighted average common shares and equivalents outstanding: Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Basic Weighted average common shares outstanding, basic