Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2020	Aug. 31, 2019	Aug. 31, 2018
Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract]
Total cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 216,993	$ 299,675	$ 543,940
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	423,609	828,057	775,306
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
DepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationincludingmajormaintenance	550,251	541,507	539,736
Income (Loss) from Equity Method Investments, Net of Dividends or Distributions	49,130	12,560	36,782
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,418	57,745	2,085
Gain/recovery on disposal of business	(1,450)	(3,886)	(131,816)
Deferred taxes	(32,761)	(13,852)	(146,961)
Other, net	(1,642)	6,094	(3,699)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	308,399	(218,192)	210,775
Inventories	104,884	284,694	(169,581)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(330,949)	(38,229)	(78,388)
Other, net	14,340	(316,567)	40,258
Net cash provided by operating activities	1,087,229	1,139,931	1,074,497
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(418,359)	(443,216)	(355,412)
Proceeds from disposition of property, plant and equipment	32,670	53,974	91,153
Proceeds from sale of business	1,139	5,044	234,914
Expenditures for major maintenance	(14,496)	(232,094)	(80,514)
CHSCapitalPaymentsForProceedsFromLoansReceivable	119,591	(10,903)	25,335
Financing extended to customers	(6,386)	(12,210)	(74,402)
Payments from customer financing	35,791	90,193	52,453
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	231	(119,421)	0
Other investing activities, net	6,114	7,350	26,949
Net cash used in investing activities	(243,705)	(661,283)	(79,524)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable and long-term borrowings	24,343,870	29,071,363	36,040,240
Payments on notes payable, long-term debt and finance lease obligations	(24,948,926)	(29,450,339)	(36,525,136)
Preferred stock dividends paid	(168,668)	(168,668)	(168,668)
Redemptions of equities	(96,438)	(85,540)	(8,847)
Cash patronage dividends paid	(90,115)	(75,776)	0
Other financing activities, net	29,129	(16,686)	(69,759)
Net cash used in financing activities	(931,148)	(725,646)	(732,170)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	4,942	2,733	8,864
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash and Restricted Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease), Including Exchange Rate Effect	(82,682)	(244,265)	271,667
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	211,179	450,617
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	140,874	211,179	450,617
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Interest Paid, Excluding Capitalized Interest, Operating Activities	119,354	172,259	148,874
Income Taxes Paid	6,840	19,918	13,410
Receivables And Loans Securitization Facility, Notes Receivables Acquired	0	0	615,089
Receivables And Loans Securitization Facility, Accounts Receivables Acquired	0	0	402,421
Receivables And Loans Securitization Facility, Securitized Debt Acquired	0	0	634,000
Transfer From Receivables	0	0	386,900
Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid	14,906	28,478	53,453
Lease Obligation Incurred	11,190	7,351	396
Other current liabilities	63,000	180,000	$ 153,941
Contribution of Property	$ 0	$ 7,353