Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (47,915)	$ (43,073)
Income tax benefit	377	(590)
Interest Expense	40,807	35,428
Depreciation and amortization expense	25,732	26,202
EBITDA	19,001	17,967
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Compensation Expense	3,962	3,754
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge	0	1,881
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	895	6,423
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(511)	(508)
Severance Costs	1,663	1,469
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized	1,607	(1,569)
Net earnings (loss)	(48,316)	(43,471)
Adjusted EBITDA	26,216	29,019
Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	6,859	5,271
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	(401)	(398)
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	(39,699)	(39,440)
Income tax benefit	371	(591)
Interest Expense	32,196	31,398
Depreciation and amortization expense	25,732	26,202
EBITDA	18,600	17,569
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Compensation Expense	3,962	3,754
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge	0	1,881
Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment, Excluding Oil and Gas Property and Timber Property	895	6,423
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(511)	(508)
Severance Costs	1,663	1,469
Business Combination, Separately Recognized Transactions, Expenses and Losses Recognized	1,607	(1,569)
Net earnings (loss)	(39,699)	(39,440)
Adjusted EBITDA	26,216	29,019
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member] | Midstream - Crude Oil Logistics [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Adjusted EBITDA	6,859	$ 5,271
General Partner [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	(479)
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	$ (401)