Equity Method Investments (Earnings From Equity Method Investments) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		4 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total income (loss) from equity method investments, net of income taxes			$ 2,797	$ (596)	$ (274)
Distributions from equity method investments			320
Earnings from equity method investments, net of distributions			2,477	(596)	(274)
Green Plains Cattle Company LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total income (loss) from equity method investments, net of income taxes	[1]		2,839
Pre-Tax Equity Method Earnings		$ 3,800
NLR Energy Logistics LLC [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total income (loss) from equity method investments, net of income taxes			516	(13)	(11)
All Others [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Total income (loss) from equity method investments, net of income taxes			$ (558)	$ (583)	$ (263)

[1] Pretax equity method earnings of GPCC were $3.8 million during the four months ended December 31, 2019.