Acquisitions, Dispositions And Discontinued Operations (Narrative) (Details)					3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 22, 2021 USD ($)	Dec. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Oct. 01, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 01, 2019 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2021 USD ($) item	Dec. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other long term other assets					$ 72,991,000			$ 84,447,000	$ 72,991,000
Accrued liabilities					38,471,000			56,980,000	38,471,000
Long-term debt					287,299,000			514,006,000	287,299,000
Noncontrolling interests					129,812,000			151,519,000	129,812,000
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets						$ 2,000,000.0	$ 2,000,000.0	$ 29,601,000	(20,860,000)
Number of ethanol plants | item								11
Reduction in other assets			$ (69,700,000)
Reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income			(10,700,000)
Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term debt					38,100,000				38,100,000
Fluid Quip Technologies, LLC [Member] | Restatement Adjustment [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Other long term other assets					16,700,000				16,700,000
Accrued liabilities					2,400,000				2,400,000
Long-term debt					12,400,000				12,400,000
Noncontrolling interests					$ 1,900,000				1,900,000
Hereford Ethanol Plant [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		$ 22,400,000
Assets to be disposed of in the sale		39,000,000.0
Certain Railcar Operating Leases, Hereford Ethanol Partners [Member] | Green Plains Partners LP [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assets to be disposed of in the sale		10,000,000.0
Ord Ethanol Plant [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets	$ 35,900,000							$ 29,600,000
Assets to be disposed of in the sale	64,000,000.0
Working capital	9,800,000
Green Plains Cattle Company LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Consideration paid for business acquisition				$ 76,900,000
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets				$ 0				$ (2,900,000)
Assets to be disposed of in the sale			$ 80,500,000
Percent membership interest sold			50.00%	50.00%	50.00%
Reduction in other assets			$ (69,700,000)
Reduction in accumulated other comprehensive income			(10,700,000)
Maximum earn out provisions			$ 4,000,000.0
Partnership [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of ethanol plants | item								11
Partnership [Member] | Ord Ethanol Plant [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Assets to be disposed of in the sale	$ 27,500,000
Ethanol Production Segment [Member] | Hereford Ethanol Plant [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		3,900,000
Corporate Activities [Member] | Hereford Ethanol Plant [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		$ 18,500,000							(18,500,000)
Corporate Activities [Member] | Green Plains Cattle Company LLC [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets									$ 1,500,000