Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits (Reconciliation of Changes in Benefit Obligations) (Details 1) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2014	Aug. 31, 2013
Postretirement and Other Employee Benefits [Abstract]
Beginning projected benefit obligation	$ 182,653	$ 164,294
Service cost	1,054	1,225	$ 1,596
Interest cost	5,554	6,819	5,977
Actuarial (gain) loss	(5,252)	9,526
Curtailment gain	(2,542)	(899)
Total benefits paid	(5,238)	(5,597)
Plan participants' contributions	28	56
Amendments	(198)	(97)
Acquisitions	1,769
Effect of conversion to U.S. dollars	(16,598)	7,326
Ending projected benefit obligation	$ 161,230	$ 182,653	$ 164,294