Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Aug. 31, 2012	Aug. 31, 2011
Operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 4,007	$ (9,566)	$ (5,117)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:
Depreciation and amortization	13,326	14,127	14,415
Loss on redemption of Series A Preferred Stock		6,599
Non-cash interest on Series A Preferred Stock			3,859
Stock-based compensation	1,404	1,387	1,117
Loss on sale and disposal of assets	22	26	6
Deferred income tax expense	1,825	4,965	142
Non-cash loss (gain) on hedging transactions	3,543	(176)	(1,620)
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	(16)
Other		20
Change in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable	(7,063)	(4,450)	(2,769)
Inventories	6,137	(6,460)	(11,264)
Decrease (increase) in margin accounts	(5,088)	2,285	1,975
Prepaid expenses	(274)	(536)	(754)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	1,808	2,105	2,250
Pension and other postretirement benefit contributions	(1,687)	(4,574)	(6,913)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plan costs	5,107	3,386	4,905
Other receivables	2,554	(744)	(490)
Income tax receivable		(96)	3,557
Payment of interest on Series A Preferred Stock, net		(5,311)
Other	(956)	(427)	229
Net cash flow provided by operating activities	24,649	2,560	3,528
Investing activities:
Acquisitions of property, plant and equipment, net	(14,199)	(14,146)	(8,295)
Acquisition of Carolina Starches, net of cash acquired		(8,347)
Settlement of ethanol construction claim (Note 21)	2,106
Other	31	75	42
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,062)	(22,418)	(8,253)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from revolving line of credit	22,200	88,706	38,550
Payments on revolving line of credit	(33,300)	(28,200)	(35,350)
Payments on long-term debt	(200)	(200)	(200)
Redemption of Series A preferred stock		(40,000)
Payments on capital lease obligations	(280)	(249)	(253)
Payment of loan fees		(973)
Proceeds from financing arrangements	2,019	2,255	1,711
Payments on financing arrangements	(1,438)	(2,050)	(2,324)
Exercise of stock options	730
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation	16
Increase (decrease) in cash overdraft	(2,265)	434	2,518
Other	(2)	8	39
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(12,520)	19,731	4,691
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	67	(127)	(34)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	154	281	315
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	221	154	281
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest	3,623	12,481	3,815
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	125	260	(3,373)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Capital lease obligations incurred for certain equipment leases	$ 88	$ 152	$ 10