Related Party Transactions (Related Party Transactions Entered Into During the Period) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Related party transactions entered into for the time periods presented
Sales revenues		$ 358,856	$ 893,950	$ 749,746
Service fee revenues	[1]	20,843	24,357	17,957
Purchases of product		741,736	615,739	463,832
Lease income	[2]	6,523	6,175	5,966
Labor and benefits reimbursement	[3]	13,487	13,894	12,809
Other expenses	[4]	0	0	$ 149
Accounts receivable	[5]	17,829	30,252
Accounts payable	[6]	$ 28,432	$ 27,866

[1] Service fee revenues include management fee, corn origination fee, ethanol and DDG marketing fees, and other commissions.

[2] Lease income includes the lease of the Company’s Albion, Michigan and Clymers, Indiana grain facilities as well as certain railcars to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs and IANR.

[3] The Company provides all operational labor to the unconsolidated ethanol LLCs and charges them an amount equal to the Company’s costs of the related services.

[4]   December 31, (in thousands) 2018   2017 Accounts receivable (d) $ 17,829
  $ 30,252
Accounts payable (e) 28,432
  27,866

[5] Accounts receivable represents amounts due from related parties for sales of corn, leasing revenue and service fees.

[6] Accounts payable represents amounts due to related parties for purchases of ethanol and other various items.