Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	$ 81,956,000	$ 86,227,000
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,771,000	62,522,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	10,389,000	12,673,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	16,182,000	8,434,000
Loss on disposal of assets	3,426,000	5,728,000
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt	6,526,000	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,797,000	2,373,000
Deferred tax expense	197,000	1,303,000
Other	4,368,000	3,170,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization	(120,224,000)	(68,007,000)
Inventories	6,425,000	25,915,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,028,000)	8,052,000
Accounts payable	29,193,000	22,245,000
Accrued interest expense	13,760,000	5,083,000
Other current liabilities	(5,141,000)	(2,852,000)
Other liabilities	(2,718,000)	379,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	103,879,000	173,245,000
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(7,077,000)	(37,186,000)
Capital expenditures	(41,222,000)	(33,263,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	3,267,000	8,013,000
Other	(24,000)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(45,056,000)	(62,436,000)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Distributions	(119,901,000)	(119,748,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	459,952,000	48,163,000
Payments on long-term debt	(363,058,000)	(2,641,000)
Net additions to (reductions in) short-term borrowings	27,902,000	(74,280,000)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	73,000,000	42,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(7,925,000)	0
Noncontrolling interest activity	(1,298,000)	(1,297,000)
Proceeds from exercise of common unit options	605,000	833,000
Contributions from partners	6,000	9,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	69,283,000	(106,961,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(173,000)	(17,000)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	127,933,000	3,831,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	6,464,000	8,429,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	134,397,000	12,260,000
Ferrellgas Partners Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	(175)	(215)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(175)	(215)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Capital contribution	175	215
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	175	215
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 earnings (loss)	94,086,000	98,657,000
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization expense	61,771,000	62,522,000
Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	10,389,000	12,673,000
Non-cash stock and unit-based compensation charge	16,182,000	8,434,000
Loss on disposal of assets	3,426,000	5,728,000
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt	6,526,000	0
Provision for doubtful accounts	3,797,000	2,373,000
Deferred tax expense	197,000	1,303,000
Other	4,010,000	2,840,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Accounts and notes receivable, net of securitization	(120,224,000)	(68,007,000)
Inventories	6,425,000	25,915,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(6,014,000)	8,035,000
Accounts payable	29,193,000	22,245,000
Accrued interest expense	9,838,000	1,159,000
Other current liabilities	(5,091,000)	(3,039,000)
Other liabilities	(2,718,000)	379,000
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	111,793,000	181,217,000
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities:
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(7,092,000)	(37,186,000)
Capital expenditures	(41,222,000)	(33,263,000)
Proceeds from sale of assets	3,267,000	8,013,000
Other	(24,000)	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(45,071,000)	(62,436,000)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Distributions	(129,054,000)	(128,899,000)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt	459,952,000	48,163,000
Payments on long-term debt	(363,058,000)	(2,641,000)
Net additions to (reductions in) short-term borrowings	27,902,000	(74,280,000)
Net additions to collateralized short-term borrowings	73,000,000	42,000,000
Cash paid for financing costs	(7,925,000)	0
Contributions from partners	606,000	455,000
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	61,423,000	(115,202,000)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(173,000)	(17,000)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	127,972,000	3,562,000
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period	6,307,000	8,218,000
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period	134,279,000	11,780,000
Ferrellgas Finance Corp. [Member]
Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net earnings (loss)	(4,965)	(4,675)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions:
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(4,965)	(4,675)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Capital contribution	4,965	4,675
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	4,965	4,675
Net change in cash	0	0
Cash - beginning of period	1,100	1,100
Cash - end of period	$ 1,100	$ 1,100