Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015 bu	Dec. 31, 2014 bu	Mar. 31, 2014 bu
Inventory, Net [Abstract]
Grain	$ 470,216us-gaap_AgriculturalRelatedInventory	$ 570,916us-gaap_AgriculturalRelatedInventory	$ 488,492us-gaap_AgriculturalRelatedInventory
Ethanol and by-products	9,940us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventory	13,154us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventory	17,658us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventory
Plant nutrients and cob products	229,551	181,136	188,362
Retail merchandise	27,311	23,810	26,205
Railcar repair parts	6,739ande_RailcarRepairPartsInventory	6,431ande_RailcarRepairPartsInventory	4,661ande_RailcarRepairPartsInventory
Other	200us-gaap_OtherInventory	208us-gaap_OtherInventory	206us-gaap_OtherInventory
Total inventories	$ 743,957us-gaap_InventoryNet	$ 795,655us-gaap_InventoryNet	$ 725,584us-gaap_InventoryNet
Bushels of grain held in storage and excluded from inventory calculations	1,800,000	3,100,000	5,600,000

Grain Held in Storage, Excluded from Inventory Calculations

No definition available.

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- Definition

Railcar repair parts inventory.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	ande_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise or supplies held which are related to plants and animals.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AgriculturalRelatedInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of products that are used in the growth of plant goods (examples would include seeds, soil, fertilizers and other products).

+ References

+ Details

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Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise, goods, commodities, or supplies relating to a source of usable power held for future sale or future use in manufacturing or production process.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_EnergyRelatedInventory
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after valuation and LIFO reserves of inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.6(a))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 330

-SubTopic 10

-Section 35

-Paragraph 2

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=51655945&loc=d3e3927-108312

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 210

-SubTopic 10

-Section 45

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28358313&loc=d3e6676-107765

+ Details

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- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InventoryNetAbstract
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- Definition

Amount before valuation and LIFO reserves of other inventory expected to be sold, or consumed within one year or operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

+ Details

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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount as of the balance sheet date of merchandise inventory purchased by a retailer, wholesaler or distributor and held for future sale.

+ References

+ Details

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Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant