Long-term debt (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	$ 319,123	$ 110,260
Less current maturities	5,664	14,260
Long-term maturities	313,459	96,000
Revolving credit agreement, due 2017 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	192,200	46,000
Senior notes, due 2005-2011 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	0	14,260
Private shelf facility, due 2012-2020 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	75,000	0
Senior note, due 2013 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	50,000	50,000
Development loans, due 2011-2026 [Member]
Long-term debt
Long-term Debt	$ 1,923	$ 0

- Definition

The carrying value as of the balance sheet date of the noncurrent portion of long-term obligations drawn from a revolving credit arrangement, which is a bank's commitment to make loans up to a specific amount. Includes short-term obligations that would normally be classified as current liabilities but for which the enterprise has entered into a financing agreement that clearly permits the enterprise to refinance the short-term obligation on a long term basis and the following conditions are met (1) the agreement does not expire within 1 year and is not cancelable by the lender except for violation of an objectively determinable provision, (2) no violation exists at the BS date, and (3) the lender has entered into the financing agreement is expected to be financially capable of honoring the agreement. In addition, the sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of all long-term debt, which is debt initially having maturities due after one year from the balance sheet date or beyond the operating cycle, if longer, but excluding the portions thereof scheduled to be repaid within one year (current maturities) or the normal operating cycle, if longer.

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