Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits (Reconciliation Of The Funded Status Of The Plans) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	Aug. 31, 2011	Aug. 31, 2010	Aug. 31, 2009
Postretirement And Other Employee Benefits
Ending fair value of plan assets	$ 99,237	$ 85,571
Ending projected benefit obligation	(137,874)	(133,683)	(129,603)
Under or unfunded status	(38,637)	(48,112)
Accrued benefit liability, current	(95)	(598)
Accrued benefit liability, noncurrent	(38,542)	(47,514)
Net liability recorded at August 31	(38,637)	(48,112)
Net actuarial loss	25,534	32,908
Prior service cost	(173)	(179)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, before taxes	$ 25,361	$ 32,729

The pretax total of net gain (loss), prior service cost (credit), and transition assets (obligations), as well as minimum pension liability if still remaining, included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan(s) because they have yet to be recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

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The pretax net amount of gains and losses that are not yet recognized as a component of net periodic benefit cost, and that are recognized as increases or decreases in other comprehensive income as they arise. Gains and losses are due to changes in the value of either the benefit obligation or the plan assets resulting from experience different from that assumed or from a change in an actuarial assumption, or the consequence of a decision to temporarily deviate from the substantive plan.

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Amount related to the pretax cost of benefit changes attributable to plan participants' prior service pursuant to a plan amendment or a plan initiation, which has not yet been recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost.

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1) For defined benefit pension plans, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value as of a date of all benefits attributed by the pension benefit formula to employee service rendered prior to that date. 2) For other postretirement defined benefit plans, the benefit obligation is the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation, which is the actuarial present value of benefits attributed to employee service rendered to a particular date.

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Assets, usually stocks, bonds, and other investments, that have been segregated and restricted (usually in a trust) to provide benefits, at their fair value as of the measurement date. Plan assets include amounts contributed by the employer (and by employees for a contributory plan) and amounts earned from investing the contributions, less benefits paid. If a plan has liabilities other than for benefits, those non-benefit obligations may be considered as reductions of plan assets.

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The funded status is measured as the difference between the fair value of plan assets and the benefit obligation. Will normally be the same as the net Defined Benefit Plan, Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet, Total.

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For a classified balance sheet, the amount recognized in balance sheet as a current liability associated with an underfunded defined benefit plan.

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This represents the entire liability recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit plans.

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This represents the noncurrent liability for underfunded plans recognized in the balance sheet that is associated with the defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement defined benefit plans.

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