Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Earnings) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (47,795,000)	$ 45,385,000	$ 60,464,000	$ (24,843,000)	$ (28,804,000)	$ 44,681,000	$ 58,207,000	$ (17,658,000)	$ 33,211,000	$ 56,426,000	$ (10,952,000)
Income tax expense									2,516,000	1,855,000	1,128,000
Interest Expense									86,502,000
Depreciation and amortization expense									84,202,000	83,344,000	83,841,000
EBITDA									206,431,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt									21,202,000	0	0
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge									(21,789,000)	(15,769,000)	(9,440,000)
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge									24,508,000	13,545,000	8,843,000
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal									6,486,000
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)									479,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability				0				0	5,000,000
Estimated Litigation Liability	1,749,000								1,749,000
Net earnings (loss)	(48,241,000)	45,890,000	61,123,000	(25,057,000)	(29,060,000)	45,180,000	58,843,000	(17,796,000)	33,715,000	57,167,000	(10,896,000)
Adjusted EBITDA									288,148,000
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)									504,000	741,000	56,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Income tax expense									2,471,000	1,838,000	1,120,000
Interest Expense									70,332,000
Depreciation and amortization expense									84,202,000	83,344,000	83,841,000
EBITDA									206,912,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt									21,202,000	0	0
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge									(21,789,000)	(15,769,000)	(9,440,000)
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge									24,508,000	13,545,000	8,843,000
Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal									6,486,000
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)									479,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability				0				0	5,000,000
Estimated Litigation Liability	1,749,000								1,749,000
Net earnings (loss)	(44,179,000)	50,053,000	65,171,000	(21,138,000)	(25,282,000)	49,396,000	62,953,000	(13,692,000)	49,907,000	73,375,000	5,589,000
Adjusted EBITDA									$ 288,125,000