Acquisitions and dispositions - Acquisitions Funding (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2022 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2021 USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash payments, net of cash acquired	$ 19,679,000	$ 6,567,000	$ 10,195,000
Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash payments, net of cash acquired	19,679,000	6,567,000	10,195,000
Issuance of liabilities and other costs and considerations	2,022,000	1,344,000	975,000
Aggregate fair value of transactions	$ 21,701,000	7,911,000	11,170,000
Propane and related equipment sales [Member] | Series of Individually Immaterial Business Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of independent distributors	2
Aggregate fair value of transactions	$ 21,700,000	7,900,000	11,200,000
Ferrellgas, L.P. [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash payments, net of cash acquired	$ 19,679,000	$ 6,567,000	$ 10,195,000