Segment Reporting - Reconciliation of Segment Earnings to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019	Jan. 31, 2019	Oct. 31, 2018	Apr. 30, 2018	Jan. 31, 2018	Oct. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2019	Apr. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	$ 20,461			$ 10,861			$ 6,790	$ (38,897)
Income tax expense (benefit)	123			67			284	282
Interest expense	44,162			40,375			132,931	123,855
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,617			25,348			59,214	76,565
EBITDA	85,363			76,651			199,219	161,805
DQC NEVER NEGATIVE Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	(4)			2,738			4,688	10,731
Asset impairment charges								10,005
Loss on asset sales and disposals	(1,683)			(6,270)			(8,403)	(46,414)
Other income, net	(251)			(227)			(356)	(1,422)
Severance costs							1,600	1,663
Legal Fees and settlements	1,471			1,289			10,643	3,407
Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments								1,293
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement							1,524
Net earnings (loss)	20,760	$ 43,875	$ (57,508)	11,062	$ (1,774)	$ (48,316)	7,127	(39,028)
Adjusted EBITDA	88,561			86,922			226,058	233,765
Non-Controlling Interest [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	299	531	(493)	201	69	(401)	337	(131)
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Net earnings (loss)	29,554			19,840			33,357	(13,012)
Income tax expense (benefit)	100			57			254	261
Interest expense	35,395			31,739			106,740	97,993
Depreciation and amortization expense	20,617			25,348			59,214	76,565
EBITDA	85,666			76,984			199,565	161,807
DQC NEVER NEGATIVE Non-cash employee stock ownership plan compensation charge	(4)			2,738			4,688	10,731
Asset impairment charges								10,005
Loss on asset sales and disposals	(1,683)			(6,270)			(8,403)	(46,414)
Other income, net	251			227			356	1,422
Severance costs							1,600	1,663
Legal Fees and settlements	1,471			1,289			10,643	3,407
Unrealized (non-cash) loss on changes in fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments								1,293
Multi-employer pension plan withdrawal settlement							1,524
Net earnings (loss)	29,554	$ 52,617	$ (48,814)	19,840	$ 6,847	$ (39,699)	33,357	(13,012)
Adjusted EBITDA	$ 88,565			$ 87,054			$ 226,067	$ 233,898