Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2014		Jun. 30, 2013		Jun. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 49,370		$ 30,732		$ 75,399	$ 43,044
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
(Decrease) increase in estimated fair value of investment in debt securities (net of income tax of ($1,350), $0, ($3,308) and $187)	(2,230)		0		(5,462)	303
Change in unrecognized actuarial loss and prior service cost (net of income tax of ($422), $693, ($309) and $925 - Note 14)	(698)		1,144		(511)	2,913
Cash flow hedge activity (net of income tax of $38, $65, $80 and $161)	62		108		131	138
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(2,866)	[1]	1,252	[1]	(5,842)	3,354
Comprehensive income	46,504		31,984		69,557	46,398
Comprehensive income attributable to the noncontrolling interests	5,069		1,193		8,390	927
Comprehensive income attributable to The Andersons, Inc.	$ 41,435		$ 30,791		$ 61,167	$ 45,471

[1] All amounts are net of tax. Amounts in parentheses indicates debits