Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss	$ (25,057,000)	$ (17,796,000)
Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,215,000	20,875,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	3,043,000	2,402,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	4,431,000	3,092,000
Loss on disposal of assets	357,000	271,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	301,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	898,000	1,008,000
Deferred tax expense	275,000	379,000
Other	1,069,000	997,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization	(47,333,000)	(24,696,000)
Inventories	(23,679,000)	(9,215,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(11,956,000)	(4,532,000)
Accounts payable	37,175,000	20,047,000
Accrued interest expense	4,960,000	5,139,000
Other current liabilities	1,022,000	11,420,000
Other liabilities	(133,000)	442,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(34,412,000)	9,833,000
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(460,000)	(4,300,000)
Capital expenditures	(13,267,000)	(9,909,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,317,000	4,771,000
Other	(8,000)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,418,000)	(9,438,000)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Distributions	(39,935,000)	(39,907,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	12,071,000	11,333,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,684,000)	(1,439,000)
Net additions to short-term borrowings	65,029,000	22,167,000
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	15,000,000	8,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(1,257,000)	0
Noncontrolling interest activity	(408,000)	(407,000)
Proceeds from exercise of common unit options	106,000	105,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,922,000	(148,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(121,000)	2,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,971,000	249,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	6,464,000	8,429,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	8,435,000	8,678,000
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss	(50)	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(50)	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Capital contribution	50	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50	0
Net change in cash	0	0
Cash - beginning of period	969	969
Cash - end of period	969	969
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss	(21,138,000)	(13,692,000)
Reconciliation of net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,215,000	20,875,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	3,043,000	2,402,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	4,431,000	3,092,000
Loss on disposal of assets	357,000	271,000
Loss on extinguishment of debt	301,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	898,000	1,008,000
Deferred tax expense	275,000	379,000
Other	949,000	879,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization	(47,333,000)	(24,696,000)
Inventories	(23,679,000)	(9,215,000)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(11,816,000)	(4,532,000)
Accounts payable	37,175,000	20,047,000
Accrued interest expense	1,035,000	1,215,000
Other current liabilities	1,023,000	11,358,000
Other liabilities	(133,000)	442,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(34,397,000)	9,833,000
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(460,000)	(4,300,000)
Capital expenditures	(13,267,000)	(9,909,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	1,317,000	4,771,000
Other	(8,000)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,418,000)	(9,438,000)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Distributions	(40,343,000)	(40,314,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	12,071,000	11,333,000
Payments on long-term debt	(1,684,000)	(1,439,000)
Net additions to short-term borrowings	65,029,000	22,167,000
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	15,000,000	8,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(1,257,000)	0
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	48,816,000	(253,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(121,000)	2,000
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	1,880,000	144,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	6,307,000	8,218,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	8,187,000	8,362,000
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net loss	(50)	(1,500)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(50)	(1,500)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Capital contribution	50	1,500
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	50	1,500
Net change in cash	0	0
Cash - beginning of period	1,100	1,100
Cash - end of period	$ 1,100	$ 1,100