Segment Reporting Segment Reporting (Reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to Consolidated Net Earnings) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017	Jan. 31, 2018	Jan. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ (1,843)	$ 38,098	$ (49,758)	$ (4,975)
Income tax expense (benefit)	(162)	588	215	(2)
Interest Expense	42,673	36,819	83,480	72,247
Depreciation and amortization expense	25,485	25,607	51,217	51,809
EBITDA	66,153	101,112	85,154	119,079
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Compensation Expense	4,031	2,945	7,993	6,699
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge	0	1,417	0	3,298
Asset Impairment Charges	10,005	0	10,005	0
Loss on asset sales and disposals	39,249	45	40,144	6,468
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(684)	(763)	(1,195)	(1,271)
Severance Costs	0	490	1,663	1,959
Legal Fees	2,118	0	2,118	0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain	(314)	(646)	1,293	(2,215)
Net earnings (loss)	(1,774)	38,528	(50,090)	(4,943)
Adjusted EBITDA	120,627	105,030	146,843	134,049
Noncontrolling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	69	430	(332)	32
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	6,847	42,600	(32,852)	3,160
Income tax expense (benefit)	(167)	588	204	(3)
Interest Expense	34,058	32,748	66,254	64,146
Depreciation and amortization expense	25,485	25,607	51,217	51,809
EBITDA	66,223	101,543	84,823	119,112
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), Compensation Expense	4,031	2,945	7,993	6,699
Non-cash stock-based compensation charge	0	1,417	0	3,298
Asset Impairment Charges	10,005	0	10,005	0
Loss on asset sales and disposals	39,249	45	40,144	6,468
Other Nonoperating Income (Expense)	(684)	(763)	(1,195)	(1,271)
Severance Costs	0	490	1,663	1,959
Legal Fees	2,118	0	2,118	0
Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments, Gain	(314)	(646)	1,293	(2,215)
Net earnings (loss)	6,847	42,600	(32,852)	3,160
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 120,628	$ 105,031	146,844	$ 134,050
General Partner [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)			(498)
General Partner [Member] | Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)			$ (332)