Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Fair Value of Financial Derivatives Balance Sheet Locations) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	$ 14,333	$ 2,532
Interest rate swap assets	2,171	3,783
Derivative assets, fair value	16,504	6,315
Propane commodity derivative liabilities		907
Interest rate swap liabilities	6,003	4,998
Derivative liabilities, fair value	6,003	5,905
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	14,333	2,532
Interest rate swap assets	2,171	3,783
Derivative assets, fair value	16,504	6,315
Propane commodity derivative liabilities		907
Interest rate swap liabilities	6,003	4,998
Derivative liabilities, fair value	6,003	5,905
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	11,914	1,400
Interest rate swap assets	2,171	3,341
Prepaid Expenses And Other Current Assets [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	11,914	1,400
Interest rate swap assets	2,171	3,341
Other Assets, Net [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	2,419	1,132
Interest rate swap assets	0	442
Other Assets, Net [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative assets	2,419	1,132
Interest rate swap assets	0	442
Other Current Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative liabilities	0	569
Interest rate swap liabilities	0	0
Other Current Liabilities [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative liabilities	0	569
Interest rate swap liabilities	0	0
Other Liabilities [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative liabilities	0	338
Interest rate swap liabilities	6,003	4,998
Other Liabilities [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Propane commodity derivative liabilities	0	338
Interest rate swap liabilities	$ 6,003	$ 4,998