Industry Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2023	Aug. 31, 2022	Aug. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	$ 674,084	$ 770,743	$ 567,646
Total operating income	102,184	94,643	54,107
Total other expense	(1,809)	(6,775)	(3,721)
Earnings before income taxes	100,375	87,868	50,386
Capital expenditures	18,775	15,595	26,511
Depreciation and amortization	19,282	20,178	19,177
Irrigation [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	586,031	665,829	471,358
Total operating income	121,969	105,763	63,181
Capital expenditures	13,043	10,679	19,188
Depreciation and amortization	12,834	13,011	12,245
Irrigation [Member] | North America [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	309,538	355,683	273,871
Irrigation [Member] | International [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	276,493	310,146	197,487
Infrastructure [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating revenues	88,053	104,914	96,288
Total operating income	12,067	18,328	20,174
Capital expenditures	5,287	3,798	6,866
Depreciation and amortization	4,023	3,781	3,748
Corporate Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total operating income	(31,852)	(29,448)	(29,248)
Capital expenditures	445	1,118	457
Depreciation and amortization	$ 2,425	$ 3,386	$ 3,183