Disclosures about reportable segments (Schedule of Operations Data by Segment) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	$ 40,420	$ 39,341	$ 120,628	$ 92,386
Total operating expenses	29,892	27,502	90,284	69,986
Gross profit	10,528	11,839	30,344	22,400
Bowen Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	16,753	16,131	47,547	35,044
Total operating expenses	16,496	15,468	46,223	33,798
Gross profit	257	663	1,324	1,246
Intersegment sales through Bowen [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	4,907	4,532	11,820	9,679
Total operating expenses	4,907	4,532	11,820	9,679
Citrus Groves Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	21,829	22,049	55,331	46,685
Total operating expenses	12,050	11,407	31,058	27,378
Gross profit	9,779	10,642	24,273	19,307
Sugarcane Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	652	211	14,311	7,672
Total operating expenses	539	36	11,090	6,874
Gross profit	113	175	3,221	798
Cattle Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	378	220	978	669
Total operating expenses	241	120	559	382
Gross profit	137	100	419	287
Real Estate Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue
Total operating expenses	85	90	327	364
Gross profit	(85)	(90)	(327)	(364)
Land leasing and rentals Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	691	621	2,011	1,912
Total operating expenses	252	292	768	908
Gross profit	439	329	1,243	1,004
All Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	45,210	43,764	131,998	101,661
Total operating expenses	34,570	31,945	101,845	79,383
Gross profit	10,640	11,819	30,153	22,278
Non - Segments [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	117	109	450	404
Total operating expenses	229	89	259	282
Gross profit	(112)	20	191	122
Less: intersegment expenses eliminated [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Total operating revenue	(4,907)	(4,532)	(11,820)	(9,679)
Total operating expenses	$ (4,907)	$ (4,532)	$ (11,820)	$ (9,679)