Business Acquisition (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Oct. 07, 2014	Jan. 31, 2012	Dec. 03, 2012	May 01, 2012
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 72,365	$ 58,554	$ 54,387	$ 12,545
Auburn Bean and Grain
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash					12,491
Accounts receivable					9,012
Inventory					5,798
Property, plant and equipment					41,692
Intangible assets					9,250
Goodwill					11,236
Commodity derivatives					(2,733)
Other current liabilities					(1,281)
Other assets					2,665
Accounts payable					(3,419)
Debt assumed					(12,577)
Other liabilities					(11,239)
Total purchase price					60,895
New Eezy Gro Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment						3,586
Current assets						5,106
Intangible assets						9,600
Goodwill						6,681
Current liabilities						(3,784)
Deferred tax liability, net						(4,412)
Total purchase price						16,777
Green Plains Grain Company
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable							19,174
Inventory							121,983
Property, plant and equipment							57,828
Intangible assets							4,600
Goodwill							33,175
Commodity derivatives							4,701
Other assets							1,775
Accounts payable							(91,001)
Debt assumed							(29,632)
Other liabilities							(2,371)
Total purchase price							120,232
Amaizing Energy Denison LLC
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Grain elevator								14,285
Inventory								10,087
Property, plant and equipment								49,693
Other current assets								962
Intangible assets								2,373
Total purchase price								$ 77,400