Debt Debt (Components of Long-Term Debt) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Apr. 30, 2014	Jul. 31, 2013
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	$ 10,021	$ 10,898
Total long-term debt	1,208,603	1,110,031
Less: current portion	3,233	3,091
Long-term debt	1,205,370	1,106,940
Short-term borrowings	77,956	50,054
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Notes payable	10,021	10,898
Total long-term debt	1,026,603	928,031
Less: current portion	3,233	3,091
Long-term debt	1,023,370	924,940
Short-term borrowings	77,956	50,054
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt interest rate	6.50%
Debt maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 6.50%, Due 2021 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	500,000	500,000
Debt interest rate	6.50%
Debt maturity year	2021
Fixed Rate, 6.75%, Due 2022 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	325,000
Debt interest rate	6.75%
Debt maturity year	2022
Fixed Rate, 6.75%, Due 2022 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	325,000
Debt interest rate	6.75%
Debt maturity year	2022
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes		297,444
Debt interest rate	9.125%
Debt maturity year	2017
Debt instrument unamortized discount		2,556
Fixed Rate, 9.125%, Due 2017 [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes		297,444
Debt interest rate	9.125%
Debt maturity year	2017
Debt instrument unamortized discount		2,556
Fixed Rate, 8.625%, Due 2020 [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	182,000	182,000
Debt interest rate	8.625%
Debt maturity year	2020
Interest Rate Swap [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(4,062)	(1,657)
Interest Rate Swap [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Senior notes	(4,062)	(1,657)
Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	195,644	121,346
Debt maturity year	2018
Short-term borrowings	77,956	50,054
Debt weighted average interest rate	3.30%	3.70%
Secured Credit Facility [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Line of credit facility	195,644	121,346
Debt maturity year	2018
Short-term borrowings	77,956	50,054
Debt weighted average interest rate	3.30%	3.70%
Notes Payable [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year range start	2014
Debt instrument maturity year range end	2022
Debt instrument unamortized discount	2,017	2,392
Debt weighted average interest rate	8.90%	9.10%
Notes Payable [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Long-term Debt [Line Items]
Debt instrument maturity year range start	2014
Debt instrument maturity year range end	2022
Debt instrument unamortized discount	$ 2,017	$ 2,392
Debt weighted average interest rate	8.90%	9.10%