Oil-Dri Corporation of America (ODC) 10-K13 Oct 202020 FY Annual reportFinancial data

Company Profile

Cover Page Cover Page

Cover Page Cover Page - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
Cover Page Cover Page - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jan. 31, 2020
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-K
Document Annual Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jul. 31, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-12622
Entity Registrant Name	OIL-DRI CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	36-2048898
Entity Address, Address Line One	410 North Michigan Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	Chicago
Entity Address, State or Province	IL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	60611-4213
City Area Code	312
Local Phone Number	321-1515
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share
Trading Symbol	ODC
Security Exchange Name	NYSE
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag	true
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float		$ 193,493,002
Entity Central Index Key	0000074046
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--07-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Common Stock
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	5,383,876
Common Class B
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	2,078,283
Common Class A
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	0

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 40,890,000	$ 21,862,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $1,078 and $644 in 2020 and 2019, respectively	34,911,000	35,459,000
Inventories, net	23,893,000	24,163,000
Prepaid repairs expense	5,662,000	4,708,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	3,064,000	3,084,000
Total Current Assets	108,420,000	89,276,000
Property, Plant and Equipment
Buildings and leasehold improvements	39,274,000	38,852,000
Machinery and equipment	152,583,000	145,402,000
Office furniture and equipment	21,502,000	20,569,000
Vehicles	17,863,000	15,375,000
Gross depreciable assets	231,222,000	220,198,000
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(169,040,000)	(159,036,000)
Net depreciable assets	62,182,000	61,162,000
Construction in progress	13,717,000	12,519,000
Land and mineral rights	17,049,000	17,117,000
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, Net	92,948,000	90,798,000
Other Assets
Goodwill	9,262,000	9,262,000
Trademarks and patents, net of accumulated amortization of $457 and $299 in 2020 and 2019, respectively	1,566,000	1,599,000
Customer list, net of accumulated amortization of $6,887 and $6,297 in 2020 and 2019, respectively	898,000	1,488,000
Deferred income taxes	7,302,000	7,755,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets	9,816,000	0
Other	5,670,000	5,049,000
Total Other Assets	34,514,000	25,153,000
Total Assets	235,882,000	205,227,000
Current Liabilities
Current maturities of notes payable	1,000,000	3,083,000
Accounts Payable	12,529,000	8,092,000
Dividends payable	1,808,000	1,761,000
Operating lease liabilities	2,170,000	0
Accrued expenses
Salaries, wages and commissions	13,505,000	7,490,000
Trade promotions and advertising	2,349,000	1,588,000
Freight	1,313,000	2,635,000
Real estate tax	1,658,000	1,581,000
Other	9,875,000	6,376,000
Total Current Liabilities	46,207,000	32,606,000
Noncurrent Liabilities
Notes payable, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $150 and $31 in 2020 and 2019, respectively	8,848,000	3,052,000
Deferred compensation	5,140,000	6,014,000
Pension and postretirement benefits	15,140,000	23,721,000
Long-term operating lease liabilities	9,135,000	0
Other	3,448,000	4,288,000
Total Noncurrent Liabilities	41,711,000	37,075,000
Total Liabilities	87,918,000	69,681,000
Stockholders’ Equity
Additional paid-in capital	44,993,000	41,300,000
Retained earnings	176,579,000	164,756,000
Noncontrolling interest	(174,000)	(14,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Pension and postretirement benefits	(11,994,000)	(14,891,000)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(260,000)	(148,000)
Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	(12,254,000)	(15,039,000)
Less treasury stock, at cost (3,090,230 Common and 335,816 Class B shares in 2020 and 2,926,547 Common and 324,741 Class B shares in 2019)	(62,269,000)	(56,543,000)
Total Stockholders’ Equity	147,964,000	135,546,000
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	235,882,000	205,227,000
Common Stock
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, par value $.10	845,000	828,000
Common Class B
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, par value $.10	$ 244,000	$ 258,000

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet Parentheticals (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Current Assets
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 1,078	$ 644
Other Assets
Trademarks and patents accumulated amortization	457	299
Customer list accumulated amortization	6,887	6,297
Noncurrent Liabilities
Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent, Net	$ 150	$ 31
Common Stock
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common Stock, shares issued	8,449,003	8,284,199
Treasury Stock, shares	3,090,230	2,926,547
Common Class B
Stockholders’ Equity
Common Stock, par value per share	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common Stock, shares issued	2,437,402	2,576,479
Treasury Stock, shares	335,816	324,741

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Net Sales	$ 283,227	$ 277,025
Cost of Sales	(207,404)	(211,365)
Gross Profit	75,823	65,660
Other Operating Income	13,000	0
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	(63,996)	(55,248)
Income from Operations	24,827	10,412
Other (Expense) Income
Interest income	259	250
Interest expense	(518)	(594)
Foreign exchange loss	(161)	(243)
Other, net	(1,387)	4,723
Total Other (Expense) Income, Net	(1,807)	4,136
Income Before Income Taxes	23,020	14,548
Income Tax Expense	(4,280)	(1,933)
Net income	18,740	12,615
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(160)	4
Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri	$ 18,900	$ 12,611
Basic Common
Net Income Per Share
Basic	$ 2.70	$ 1.82
Diluted	$ 2.65	$ 1.80
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	5,149	5,112
Diluted (in shares)	5,246	5,165
Basic Class B Common
Net Income Per Share
Basic	$ 2.02	$ 1.36
Diluted	$ 1.99	$ 1.35
Average Shares Outstanding
Basic (in shares)	2,020	2,068
Diluted (in shares)	2,049	2,086

Consolidate Statements of Compr

Consolidate Statements of Comprehensive Income Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent
Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri	$ 18,900	$ 12,611
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Pension and postretirement benefits (net of tax)	2,897	(4,507)
Cumulative translation adjustment	(112)	83
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	2,785	(4,424)
Comprehensive Income	$ 21,685	$ 8,187

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders Equity Statement - USD ($)	Total	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interest	Common & Class B Stock	Treasury Stock	Noncontrolling Interest Agromex	Parent Oil-Dri Corporation of America
Total, Beginning of Period at Jul. 31, 2018	$ 131,885,000	$ 38,473,000	$ 158,935,000	$ (10,615,000)	$ (18,000)	$ 1,056,000	$ (55,946,000)
Common & Class B Stock, Beginning of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2018						10,555,828
Treasury Stock, Beginning of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2018							(3,238,833)
Net Income	12,615,000	0		0		$ 0	$ 0
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	4,000				4,000
Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri	12,611,000		12,611,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	(4,424,000)	0	0	(4,424,000)	0	0	0
Dividends Declared	(6,790,000)	0	(6,790,000)	0	0	0	0
Purchases of Treasury Stock	(147,000)	0	0	0	0	$ 0	$ (147,000)
Purchases of Treasury Stock (in shares)							(4,905)
Net Issuance of Stock Under Long-Term Incentive Plans (in shares)						304,850	(7,550)
Net issuance of stock under long-term incentive plans	(1,000)	419,000	0	0	0	$ 30,000	$ (450,000)
Amortization of Restricted Stock	2,408,000	2,408,000	0	0	0	0	0
Total, End of Period at Jul. 31, 2019	135,546,000	41,300,000	164,756,000	(15,039,000)	(14,000)	$ 1,086,000	$ (56,543,000)
Common & Class B Stock, End of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2019						10,860,678
Treasury Stock, End of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2019							(3,251,288)
Net Income	18,740,000	0		0		$ 0	$ 0
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(160,000)				(160,000)
Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri	18,900,000		18,900,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	2,785,000	0	0	2,785,000	0	0	0
Dividends Declared	(7,077,000)	0	(7,077,000)	0	0	0	0
Purchases of Treasury Stock	(5,541,000)	0	0	0	0	$ 0	$ (5,541,000)
Purchases of Treasury Stock (in shares)							(169,058)
Net Issuance of Stock Under Long-Term Incentive Plans (in shares)						25,727	(5,700)
Net issuance of stock under long-term incentive plans	1,000	183,000	0	0	0	$ 3,000	$ (185,000)
Amortization of Restricted Stock	3,368,000	3,368,000	0	0	0	0	0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	142,000	142,000	0	0	0	0	0
Total, End of Period at Jul. 31, 2020	$ 147,964,000	$ 44,993,000	$ 176,579,000	$ (12,254,000)	$ (174,000)	$ 1,089,000	$ (62,269,000)
Common & Class B Stock, End of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2020						10,886,405
Treasury Stock, End of Period (in shares) at Jul. 31, 2020							(3,426,046)
Consolidation, Less than Wholly Owned Subsidiary, Parent Ownership Interest, Changes, Purchase of Interest by Parent									$ 724,000
Noncontrolling Interest, Parent Ownership Percentage Prior to Purchase of Additional Interest									52.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Parent									78.40%
Noncontrolling Interest Ownership Percentage Prior to Parent's Purchase of Additional Interest								48.00%
Noncontrolling Interest, Ownership Percentage by Noncontrolling Owners								21.60%

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Net Income	$ 18,740	$ 12,615
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activites:
Depreciation and amortization	13,923	13,330
Amortization of investment discounts	0	(10)
Non-cash stock compensation expense	3,368	2,407
Deferred income taxes	453	(406)
Provision for bad debts and cash discounts	423	(179)
Loss on the disposals of property, plant and equipment	114	6
Curtailment gain on SERP Plan	(1,296)	0
(Increase) decrease in:
Accounts receivable	(12)	(1,729)
Inventories	213	(1,693)
Prepaid expenses	(949)	(786)
Other assets	(1,242)	(617)
Increase (decrease) in:
Accounts payable	4,238	590
Accrued expenses	8,632	(589)
Deferred compensation	421	(86)
Pension and postretirement benefits	(5,684)	3,307
Other liabilities	1,120	583
Total Adjustments	23,722	14,128
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities	42,462	26,743
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures	(14,740)	(15,029)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment	63	7
Purchases of short-term investments	0	(4,678)
Dispositions of short-term investments	0	11,812
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities	(14,677)	(7,888)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable	10,000	0
Principal payments on notes payable	(6,321)	(3,083)
Dividends paid	(7,030)	(6,656)
Purchase of treasury stock	(5,541)	(147)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	142	0
Net Cash Used in Financing Activities	(8,750)	(9,886)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	(7)	136
Net Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents	19,028	9,105
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Year	21,862	12,757
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Year	40,890	21,862
Other cash flows:
Interest payments, net of amounts capitalized	273	305
Income tax payments (refund)	(2,319)	(713)
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures accrued, but not paid	2,990	2,263
Cash dividends declared and accrued, but not paid	$ 1,808	$ 1,761

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTI

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies	SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES N ATURE OF O PERATIONS We are a leader in developing, manufacturing and/or marketing sorbent products. Our sorbent products are principally produced from clay minerals. Our absorbent clay products include cat litter, industrial floor absorbents, agricultural chemical carriers and animal feed additives. Our adsorbent products include bleaching clays, which are used for filtration of edible oils and for purification of petroleum-based oils. We also sell synthetic sorbents, which are used for industrial cleanup. P RINCIPLES OF C ONSOLIDATION The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements. R ECLASSIFICATION Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the presentation of the current period financial statements. These immaterial reclassifications had no effect on the previously reported net income. M ANAGEMENT U SE OF E STIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates and assumptions are revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these estimates. For more information see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7 “ Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. ” In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Despite the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the overall economy, we have not experienced a significant decline in customer orders and sales in fiscal year 2020. However, the effects of COVID-19 are unprecedented, and therefore we are unable to ascertain the effects on our sales and net earnings in the future. C ASH AND C ASH E QUIVALENTS Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less. T RADE R ECEIVABLES We recognize trade receivables when the risk of loss and title pass to the customer. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts, consideration of customer credit risk and analysis of facts and circumstances about specific accounts. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when it is probable that a loss will be incurred after we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment. We retain outside collection agencies to facilitate our collection efforts. Past due status is determined based on contractual terms and customer payment history. I NVENTORIES The composition of inventories was as follows as of July 31 (in thousands): 2020 2019 Finished goods $ 14,500 $ 13,957 Packaging 4,587 5,681 Other 4,806 4,525 Inventories $ 23,893 $ 24,163 Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We performed a detailed review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment was necessary. The review surveyed all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends were considered. The obsolescence reserve not only considered specific items, but also took into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date. We recorded inventory obsolescence reserves of approximately $926,000 and $704,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The higher obsolescence reserve and lower packaging inventories are attributed to our focus on inventory management and enhanced data available from our ERP system. Other inventories increased mainly due to higher levels of raw and purchased materials. T RANSLATION OF F OREIGN C URRENCIES Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated to U.S. Dollars at the exchange rates in effect at period end. Income statement items are translated at the average exchange rate on a monthly basis. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. I NTANGIBLES AND G OODWILL We amortize most of our intangibles on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 4 to 20 years. Our customer list intangible asset is amortized at an accelerated amortization rate in the earlier years to reflect the expected pattern of decline in the related benefits over time. Intangible amortization was $804,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $862,000 in fiscal year 2019 . Some intangible assets were determined to have indefinite lives and are not amortized, specifically one acquired trademark recorded at $376,000 . Our estimated intangible amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands): 2021 $ 583 2022 $ 431 2023 $ 227 2024 $ 91 2025 $ 66 The weighted average amortization period of our intangibles subject to amortization is as follows (in years): Weighted Average Amortization Period Trademarks and patents 14.3 Customer list 3.3 Total intangible assets subject to amortization 5.9 We periodically review indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill to assess for impairment. Our review is based on cash flow considerations and other approaches that require significant judgment with respect to volume, revenue, expenses and allocations. Impairment occurs when the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Much of our goodwill cannot be specifically assigned to one of our operating segments because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, for purposes of our most recent impairment analysis we estimated the goodwill allocation and assigned $5,489,000 to the Retail and Wholesale Products Group and $3,773,000 to the Business to Business Products Group. We performed our annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 . There was no impairment required based on our analysis for fiscal years 2020 or 2019 . We will continue to consider the need to re-perform impairment testing throughout the year when circumstances such as unexpected adverse economic factors, unanticipated technological changes, competitive activities and acts by governments and courts indicate that an asset may become impaired. In addition, although we have not identified any triggering events relating to goodwill or our intangibles, the ultimate effects of COVID-19 could change this assessment in the future, as outlined under Item 1A, Risk Factors, discussed above. O VERBURDEN R EMOVAL AND M INING C OSTS We surface mine sorbent minerals on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. Stripping costs included in cost of sales were approximately $1,722,000 and $2,430,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Stripping costs decreased in fiscal year 2020 due to a decrease in fuel costs and repair costs. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine. $316,000 of pre-production overburden removal costs were deferred in fiscal year 2020. There were no pre-production overburden removal costs deferred in fiscal year 2019. Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral rights, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. The amount of land and mineral rights included in land on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $13,570,000 and $2,165,000 , respectively, as of July 31, 2020 , and were $13,638,000 and $2,165,000 , respectively, as of July 31, 2019 . Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the mineral are also capitalized. Total pre-production costs, including the overburden removal costs deferred above, that were capitalized in fiscal year 2020 were $535,000 . No material capitalized pre-production development costs were recorded in fiscal year 2019 . Prepaid royalties included in current prepaid expenses and in non-current other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $1,232,000 and $1,184,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. R ECLAMATION We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, therefore minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process. On an annual basis we evaluate our potential reclamation liability in accordance with ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations. The reclamation assets are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the various mines. The reclamation liabilities are increased based on a yearly accretion charge over the estimated useful lives of the mines. P ROPERTY , P LANT AND E QUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which are listed below. Depreciation expense was $13,119,000 and $12,468,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Major improvements and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful life of the applicable assets are expensed as incurred. Interest expense may also be capitalized for assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. There was no capitalized interest in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 . Years Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 Machinery and equipment Packaging 2 - 20 Processing 2 - 30 Mining and other 2 - 20 Office furniture and equipment 3 - 15 Vehicles 2 - 15 Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reviewed for possible impairment on an annual basis or when circumstances indicate impairment that an asset may become impaired. We take into consideration idle and underutilized equipment and review business plans for possible impairment. When impairment is indicated, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair market value. No impairment was recorded in either fiscal year 2020 or 2019 . O THER N ONCURRENT L IABILITIES On March 27, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into U.S. law. The CARES Act provides for, among other things, deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes incurred through the end of calendar 2020. As permitted by the CARES Act, we deferred approximately $864,000 in payroll taxes during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and expect to defer the payment of payroll taxes each quarter for the remainder of calendar year 2020 to be paid equally in the fourth quarters of calendar years 2021 and 2022 representing approximately $2,100,000 in payroll taxes. T RADE P ROMOTIONS We routinely commit to one-time or ongoing trade promotion programs, primarily in our Retail and Wholesale Products Group. All such costs are netted against sales. We have accrued liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated expenses incurred but not yet paid for these programs. Promotional reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. We use judgment for estimates to determine our trade spending liabilities. We rely on our historical experience of trade spending patterns and that of the industry, current trends and forecast data. A DVERTISING Advertising costs for the development of printed materials, television commercials, web-based digital banners, web-based social media and sales videos are deferred and expensed upon the first use of the materials, unless such amounts are immaterial. Costs paid for communicating advertising over a period of time, such as television air time, radio commercials and print media advertising space, are deferred and expensed on a pro-rata basis. All other advertising costs, including participation in industry conventions and shows and market research, are expensed when incurred. All advertising costs are part of selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were approximately $9,674,000 and $6,909,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. F AIR V ALUE OF F INANCIAL I NSTRUMENTS Non-derivative financial instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are cash and cash equivalents and notes payable. These instruments, except for notes payable, were carried at amounts approximating fair value as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 . See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the fair value of our financial instruments, including notes payable. R EVENUE R ECOGNITION We recognize revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. Our performance obligation generally consists of the promise to sell finished products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers or consumers and our obligations have an original duration of one year or less. Control of the finished products are transferred upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers' locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. We have completed our performance obligation when control is transferred and we recognize revenue accordingly. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from net sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material. We have an unconditional right to consideration under the payment terms specified in the contract upon completion of the performance obligation. We may require certain customers to provide payment in advance of product shipment. We recorded a liability for these advance payments of $247,000 and $259,000 as of July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 , respectively. This liability is reported in Other Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue recognized during fiscal year 2020 that was included in the liability for advance payments at the beginning of the year was $232,000 . C OST OF S ALES Cost of sales consists of all manufacturing costs, including depreciation and amortization related to assets used in the manufacturing and distribution process, inbound and outbound freight, inspection costs, purchasing costs associated with materials and packaging used in the production process and warehouse and distribution costs. S HIPPING AND H ANDLING C OSTS Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales and were approximately $39,865,000 and $47,717,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The decrease in fiscal year 2020 relates to the decrease in freight due to lower transportation rates from improved truck availability. In addition, costs were higher in the first half of the prior fiscal year due to one-time events, including a greater number of product transfers between our plants and warehouses to support customer service during the implementation of our new ERP system on August 1, 2018 and disruptions due to Hurricane Michael. S ELLING , G ENERAL AND A DMINISTRATIVE E XPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all marketing related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses. R ESEARCH AND D EVELOPMENT Research and development costs of approximately $2,765,000 and $3,202,000 were charged to expense as incurred for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses. P ENSION AND P OSTRETIREMENT B ENEFIT C OSTS We provide a defined benefit pension plan for eligible salaried and hourly employees and we make contributions to fund the plan. We also provide a postretirement health benefit plan to domestic salaried employees who qualify under the plan’s provisions. The postretirement health benefit plan is unfunded. Our pension and postretirement health benefit plans are accounted for using actuarial valuations required by ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits . The funded status of our defined pension and postretirement health benefit plans are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the funded status that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost are recognized within other comprehensive income, net of income tax. In fiscal year 2020 we amended the defined benefit pension plan and the plan is now closed to new entrants. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. S TOCK -B ASED C OMPENSATION We account for stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . The fair value of stock-based compensation is determined at the grant date. The related compensation expense is recognized over the appropriate vesting period. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. I NCOME TAXES Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the impact of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets are reviewed and a valuation allowance is established if management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In addition to existing valuation allowances, we provide for uncertain tax positions, if necessary, when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes . Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted when new information becomes available or when positions are effectively settled. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. U.S. income tax expense and foreign withholding taxes are provided on remittances of foreign earnings and on unremitted foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. Where unremitted foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested, no provision for federal or state tax expense is recorded. When circumstances change and we determine that some or all of the undistributed earnings will be remitted in the foreseeable future, a corresponding expense is accrued in the current period. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about income taxes. O THER O PERATING I NCOME Included within Other Operating Income is revenue earned from a confidential license agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company granted a non-exclusive, perpetual license to develop, manufacture, use, distribute and sell products produced using formulations under certain of our patents until their expiration and agreed to certain limitations on the ability of the parties to bring forth patent infringement claims or challenges relating to certain products in exchange for a one-time payment of $13,000,000 . This revenue is recognized at a point in time as it is considered functional intellectual property. N EW A CCOUNTING P RONOUNCEMENTS Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements On August 1, 2019 we adopted ASC 842, Leases , using the modified retrospective transition approach and, accordingly, we did not restate prior comparative period financial statements. As of the date of adoption, we elected the package of practical expedients that allowed us to forgo assessment under the ASC 842 guidance whether existing or expired contracts contained leases, the classification of expired or existing leases and the accounting for previously incurred initial direct costs. We also elected the practical expedient to forgo assessment under ASC 842 whether existing or expired land easements not previously accounted for under legacy leasing GAAP contain leases. The adoption of ASC 842 on August 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of additional ROU assets and lease liabilities related to operating leases of $9,348,000 and $10,910,000 , respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. There was no material impact to any of our other consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform . This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for debt, leases, contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 740, Income Taxes , which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The guidance removes several specific exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and clarifies and makes amendments to improve consistent application of and simplify existing accounting for other areas in ASC 740. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2022, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses , which requires companies to utilize an impairment model for most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments, which include trade and other receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, to record an allowance for credit risk based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. In addition, this new guidance changes the recognition method for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, which can occur as a result of market and credit risk, as well as additional disclosures. In general, this guidance will require modified retrospective adoption for all outstanding instruments that fall under this guidance. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2023. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. There have been no other accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted by us which are expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 1 (Not

OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
OPERATING SEGMENTS [Abstract]
Operating Segments	OPERATING SEGMENTS We have two reportable operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstore chains, pet specialty retail outlets, dollar stores, retail grocery stores, distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products, environmental service companies and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products. Net sales for our principal products by segment are as follows (in thousands): Business to Business Products Group Retail and Wholesale Products Group Year Ended July 31, Product 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cat Litter $ 14,528 $ 13,764 $ 147,503 $ 135,489 Industrial and Sports — — 29,035 33,341 Agricultural and Horticultural 21,886 24,311 — — Bleaching Clay and Fluids Purification 50,117 51,905 2,429 2,318 Animal Health and Nutrition 17,729 15,897 — — Net Sales $ 104,260 $ 105,877 $ 178,967 $ 171,148 Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not rely on any operating segment asset allocations and we do not consider them meaningful because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, we have estimated the segment asset allocations below for those assets for which we can reasonably determine. The unallocated asset category is the remainder of our total assets. The asset allocation is estimated and is not a measure used by our chief operating decision maker about allocating resources to the operating segments or in assessing their performance. The corporate expenses line in the table below represents certain unallocated expenses, including primarily salaries, wages and benefits, purchased services, rent, utilities and depreciation and amortization associated with corporate functions such as research and development, information systems, finance, legal, human resources and customer service. Corporate expenses also include the annual incentive plan bonus accrual. Other income in fiscal year 2019 included net proceeds upon resolution of legal proceedings. The amount received under a confidential agreement resolving these legal proceedings was material to our financial results for the period. Other operating income in fiscal year 2020 relates to revenue earned from a license arrangement of our intellectual property. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. July 31, Assets 2020 2019 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 72,987 $ 65,282 Retail and Wholesale Products 95,838 94,809 Unallocated assets 67,057 45,136 Total Assets $ 235,882 $ 205,227 Year Ended July 31, Net Sales Income 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 104,260 $ 105,877 $ 31,218 $ 31,388 Retail and Wholesale Products 178,967 171,148 15,859 8,683 Net Sales $ 283,227 $ 277,025 Other Operating Income 13,000 — Corporate Expenses (35,250 ) (29,659 ) Income from Operations 24,827 10,412 Total Other (Expense) Income, Net (1,807 ) 4,136 Income Before Income Taxes 23,020 14,548 Income Tax Expense (4,280 ) (1,933 ) Net Income $ 18,740 $ 12,615 Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest $ (160 ) $ 4 Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri $ 18,900 $ 12,611 The following is a summary by fiscal year of financial information by geographic region (in thousands): 2020 2019 Sales to unaffiliated customers by: Domestic operations $ 268,007 $ 263,469 Foreign subsidiaries $ 15,220 $ 13,556 Sales or transfers between geographic areas: Domestic operations $ 6,566 $ 5,097 Income before income taxes: Domestic operations $ 24,494 $ 14,280 Foreign subsidiaries $ (1,474 ) $ 268 Net Income (Loss) attributable to Oil-Dri: Domestic operations $ 20,208 $ 12,456 Foreign subsidiaries $ (1,308 ) $ 155 Identifiable assets: Domestic operations $ 223,296 $ 195,032 Foreign subsidiaries $ 12,586 $ 10,195 Included within identifiable assets for our foreign subsidiaries is cash held at foreign banks of $3,038,000 as of July 31, 2020. Sales to Walmart, our largest customer, are included in our Retail and Wholesale Products Group. The percentage of consolidated net sales and net accounts receivable attributed to Walmart are shown in the table below: 2020 2019 Net sales for the years ended July 31 19% 20% Net accounts receivable as of July 31 18% 26% There are no other customers with sales equal to or greater than 10% of our total sales.

DEBT Level 1 (Notes)

DEBT Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
DEBT Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Debt	DEBT The composition of notes payable is as follows as of July 31 (in thousands): 2020 2019 Senior notes payable in annual installments on August 1. Final payment made in fiscal year 2020. Interest was payable semi-annually at an annual rate of 3.96%. $ — $ 6,167 Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement. Annual principal installments on May 15: $1,000 in each fiscal year 2021 through 2030. Interest is payable semi-annually at an annual rate of 3.95% 10,000 — Less current maturities of notes payable (1,000 ) (3,083 ) Less unamortized debt issuance costs $ (152 ) $ (32 ) Noncurrent notes payable $ 8,848 $ 3,052 We issued senior promissory notes in November 2010 for $18,500,000 . The note agreement provided that the proceeds could be used to fund future principal payments on debt, acquisitions, stock repurchases, capital expenditures and working capital purposes. The note agreement contained restrictions against certain activities, among other things and under various conditions, as well as financial covenants, including a minimum fixed charges coverage ratio and a minimum consolidated debt ratio. As further described below, these notes were amended in May 2020 and paid in full in July 2020. On May 15, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), we entered into an Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement (the “Amended Note Agreement”) with PGIM, Inc. (“Prudential”) and certain existing noteholders and purchasers affiliated with Prudential named therein. The Amended Note Agreement amends and restates the Note Agreement between Oil-Dri, Prudential and certain existing noteholders named therein, dated as of November 12, 2010 (the “Prior Note Agreement”), under which our 3.96% Series A Senior Notes (the “Series A Notes”) were previously issued in an original aggregate principal amount of $18,500,000 . Pursuant to the Amended Note Agreement, (i) the Series A Notes, in an aggregate principal amount of $3,100,000 as of immediately prior to the Effective Date, were paid in full in July 2020 and (ii) we issued $10,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of our 3.95% Series B Senior Notes due May 15, 2030 (the “Series B Notes”). In addition, the Amended Note Agreement provided us with the ability to request, from time to time until May 15, 2023 (or such earlier date as provided for in the Amended Note Agreement), that Prudential affiliate(s) purchase, at Prudential’s discretion and on an uncommitted basis, additional senior unsecured notes of Oil-Dri (the “Shelf Notes,” and collectively with the Series A Notes and Series B Notes, the “Notes”) in an aggregate principal amount of up to $75,000,000 minus the aggregate principal amount of Notes then outstanding and Shelf Notes that have been accepted for purchase. Interest payable on any Shelf Note agreed to be purchased under the Amended Note Agreement will be at a rate determined by Prudential and will mature not more than fifteen years after the date of original issue of such Shelf Note. Like the Prior Note Agreement, the Amended Note Agreement is guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, by certain U.S. subsidiaries of Oil-Dri, and contains customary covenants, including but not limited to, limitations on our and certain of our subsidiaries’ ability to incur indebtedness, incur liens, engage in mergers, and sell or transfer assets and stock, as well as financial covenants, including a minimum fixed charges coverage ratio and consolidated debt ratio that remain the same as those contained in the Prior Note Agreement. Upon the occurrence of certain events of default, our obligations under the Amended Note Agreement may be accelerated. Such events of default include payment defaults, covenant defaults and other enumerated defaults. We have a credit agreement with BMO Harris that expires on January 31, 2024 . The agreement provides for a $45,000,000 unsecured revolving credit agreement, including a maximum of $10,000,000 for letters of credit. Under the credit agreement, we may select a variable rate based on either BMO Harris’ prime rate or a LIBOR-based rate, plus a margin which varies depending on our debt to earnings ratio, or a fixed rate as agreed between us and BMO Harris. As of July 31, 2020 , the variable rates would have been 3.50% for the BMO Harris’ prime-based rate or 1.50% for the LIBOR-based rate. As of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , there were no outstanding borrowings under this credit agreement. However, we had outstanding letters of credit of $1,284,000 as of July 31, 2020 under this agreement. The credit agreement contains restrictive covenants that, among other things and under various conditions, limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness or to dispose of assets. The agreement also requires us to maintain a minimum fixed coverage ratio, a minimum consolidated net worth and a minimum consolidated debt ratio. Our debt agreements also contain provisions such that if we default on one debt agreement, the others will automatically default. If we default on any guaranteed debt with a balance greater than $1,000,000 , our unsecured revolving credit agreement with BMO Harris will be considered in default. If we default on any debt with a balance greater than $5,000,000 we will also be considered in default with the senior promissory notes. We were in compliance with all restrictive covenants and limitations as of July 31, 2020 . The following is a schedule by fiscal year of future principal maturities of notes payable as of July 31, 2020 (in thousands): 2021 $ 1,000 2022 1,000 2023 1,000 2024 1,000 2025 1,000

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Level 1 (

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
FAIR VALUE [Abstract]
Fair Value	FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized into one of three categories based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Categories in the hierarchy are as follows: Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Observable market-based inputs for similar assets or liabilities or valuation models whose inputs are observable, directly or indirectly. Level 3: Unobservable inputs. Cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy because they were valued using quoted market prices in active markets. Cash equivalents were $6,000 and $26,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. These cash instruments are primarily money market funds and are included in cash and cash equivalents on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances on the Consolidated Balance Sheets approximate their fair values as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 due to the short maturity and nature of those balances. Notes payable on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are carried at the face amount of future maturities. The estimated fair value of notes payable was approximately $11,631,000 as of July 31, 2020 and $6,357,000 as of July 31, 2019 . The fair value was estimated using the exit price notion of fair value and is classified as Level 2. The increase in fair value is attributable to the Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement entered into in May 2020. See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about the new debt. We apply fair value techniques on at least an annual basis associated with: (1) valuing potential impairment loss related to goodwill, trademarks and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and (2) valuing potential impairment loss related to long-lived assets. See Note 1 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about goodwill and other intangible assets. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and accounts receivable. Our cash is held in banks which are covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; however, our cash balances are in excess of the maximum amount that is insured. Concentrations of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable are subject to the financial condition of certain major customers, principally the customer referred to in Note 2

INCOME TAXES Level 1 (Notes)

INCOME TAXES Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Income Taxes	INCOME TAXES The provision for income tax expense by fiscal year consists of the following (in thousands): 2020 2019 Current Federal $ 3,768 $ (529 ) Foreign 5 (5 ) State 999 1,416 Current Income Tax Total 4,772 882 Deferred Federal (610 ) 1,344 Foreign (3 ) 113 State 121 (406 ) Deferred Income Tax Total (492 ) 1,051 Total Income Tax Expense $ 4,280 $ 1,933 Principal reasons for variations between the statutory federal rate and the effective rates by fiscal year were as follows: 2020 2019 U.S. federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % Depletion deductions allowed for mining (4.8 ) (8.2 ) State income tax expense, net of federal tax expense 4.3 2.5 Difference in effective tax rate of foreign subsidiaries 1.2 0.2 Prior year income taxes (1.0 ) (1.9 ) Other (2.1 ) (0.3 ) Effective income tax rate 18.6 % 13.3 % The Consolidated Balance Sheets included the following tax effects of cumulative temporary differences as of July 31 (in thousands): ` 2020 2019 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Depreciation $ — $ 3,926 $ — $ 3,995 Deferred compensation 1,779 — 2,121 — Postretirement benefits 3,293 — 6,100 — Lease right of use assets — 2,534 — — Lease liabilities 2,918 — — — Allowance for doubtful accounts 178 — 81 — Deferred marketing expenses — 194 — 326 Other assets — 9 390 — Accrued expenses 4,131 — 2,076 — Tax credits 147 — 250 — Amortization 48 — 166 — Inventories 343 — 264 — Depletion — 173 — 173 Stock-based compensation 987 — 556 — Reclamation 447 — 392 — Other assets – foreign 790 — 585 — Valuation allowance (923 ) — (732 ) — Total deferred taxes $ 14,138 $ 6,836 $ 12,249 $ 4,494 Deferred taxes for postretirement benefits were also affected by employer contributions and the freeze of our pension plan that significantly reduced our pension liability. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about postretirement benefits. Deferred taxes for lease right of use assets and liabilities were recorded upon the implementation of ASC 842, Leases , on August 1, 2019. See Notes 1 and 11 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about leases. Deferred taxes for accrued expenses reflected a higher accrual for the annual discretionary bonus. We recorded a valuation allowance of $923,000 and $732,000 as of July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 , respectively, for the amount of the deferred tax benefit related to our foreign net operating loss carryforwards since we believe it is unlikely we will realize the benefit of these tax attributes in the future. As of July 31, 2020 , we have total net operating loss carryforwards from state jurisdictions of approximately $2,000,000 . The carryforward expiration dates vary by state. No valuation allowance has been established for these carryforwards since we expect our future profitability will allow us to fully realize these tax benefits. Our foreign subsidiaries in the United Kingdom and China have not generated any untaxed foreign income, therefore we have not provided for any related income taxes. We had no material liability for unrecognized tax benefits based on tax positions related to the current and prior fiscal years as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 ; correspondingly, no related interest and penalties were recognized as income tax expense and there were no accruals for such items in either of these fiscal years. We are subject to U.S. federal income tax as well as income tax in multiple state and foreign jurisdictions. We have no income tax returns under examination as of July 31, 2020 and federal tax returns for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 remain open for examination. Foreign and U.S. state jurisdictions have statutes of limitations generally ranging from three to five years. The state impact of any federal income tax changes remains subject to examination by various states for a period of up to one year after formal notification to the states. There are a limited number of open state and local income tax audits in which no material issues have been preliminarily identified. There are no material open or unsettled foreign income tax audits. We believe our accrual for tax liabilities is adequate for all open audit years.

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component (in thousands): Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits Cumulative Translation Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ (10,384 ) $ (231 ) (10,615 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax (5,089 ) a) 83 (5,006 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 582 b) — 582 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (4,507 ) 83 (4,424 ) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ (14,891 ) $ (148 ) $ (15,039 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax (4,431 ) a) (112 ) (4,543 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 758 b) — 758 Curtailment/Settlement on Pension Plan 6,570 c) — 6,570 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,897 (112 ) 2,785 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ (11,994 ) $ (260 ) $ (12,254 ) a) Amounts are net of taxes of $ 1,359,000 and $1,607,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and are included in Other Comprehensive Loss. b) Amounts are net of taxes of $242,000 and $185,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. c) Amount is net of taxes of $2,075,000 in fiscal year 2020 . Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about pension and postretirement health benefits.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Notes

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Notes)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION The Oil-Dri Corporation of America 2006 Long Term Incentive Plan (as amended, the “2006 Plan”) permits the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based and cash-based awards. Our employees and outside directors are eligible to receive grants under the 2006 Plan. The total number of shares of stock subject to grants under the 2006 Plan may not exceed 1,219,500 . As of July 31, 2020 , there were 370,836 shares available for future grants under this plan. RESTRICTED S TOCK All non-vested restricted stock as of July 31, 2020 was issued under the 2006 Plan with vesting periods generally from two to five years. The fair value of restricted stock was determined by the closing market price of our Common Stock on the date of grant multiplied by the number of shares granted. A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plans is shown below. Number of Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Unamortized Expense (in thousands) Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2018 178 $ 32.74 1.7 $ 3,050 Granted 321 $ 32.89 Vested (61 ) $ 31.90 Forfeited (24 ) $ 30.85 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2019 414 $ 33.09 4.5 $ 10,474 Granted 26 $ 33.57 Vested (44 ) $ 32.53 Forfeited (6 ) $ 32.46 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2020 390 $ 33.19 4.0 $ 7,784 Stock-based compensation for restricted stock of $2,560,000 and $1,834,000 , net of related tax effect, was recognized in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The total restricted stock compensation related tax benefit was $808,000 and $579,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively.

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMEN

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits	PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS The Oil-Dri Corporation of America Pension Plan (“Pension Plan”) is a defined benefit pension plan for eligible salaried and hourly employees. Pension benefits are based on a formula of years of credited service and levels of compensation or stated amounts for each year of credited service. On January 9, 2020, we amended the Pension Plan to freeze participation, all future benefit accruals and accrual of benefit service, including consideration of compensation increases, effective March 1, 2020. Consequently, the Pension Plan is closed to new participants and current participants will no longer earn additional benefits on or after March 1, 2020. The amendment of the Pension Plan triggered a pension curtailment, which required a remeasurement of the Pension Plan's obligation. The remeasurement resulted in a decrease in the benefit obligation of approximately $6,632,000 , which was recorded in Other Comprehensive Income, net of taxes of $1,592,000 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2020. During the third quarter of fiscal 2020 we offered terminated participants with vested benefits who have not yet begun receipt of benefits under the Plan the opportunity to receive their pension benefits in a single payment (the “Lump Sum Option”). We made payments in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 to those participants who elected the Lump Sum Option by the May 15, 2020 election deadline. The settlement expense was $2,012,000 and was recorded net of tax in Other, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operation. A postretirement health benefits plan is also provided to domestic salaried employees who meet specific age, participation and length of service requirements at the time of retirement. Eligible employees may elect to continue their health care coverage under the Oil-Dri Corporation of America Employee Benefits Plan until the date certain criteria are met, including attaining the age of Medicare eligibility. We have the right to modify or terminate the postretirement health benefit plan at any time. A 401(k) savings plan is maintained under which we match a portion of employee contributions. This plan is available to essentially all domestic employees following a specific number of days of employment. Our contributions to this plan, and to similar plans maintained by our foreign subsidiaries, were $2,035,000 and $764,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. During fiscal year 2020, we changed the percentage of employer matching contributions from 50% of every employee dollar contributed up to 4% of earnings to 100% of every employee dollar contributed up to 6% of earnings. Obligations and Funded Status The following tables provide a reconciliation of changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, asset fair values and funded status by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Change in benefit obligation : Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 61,553 $ 54,267 $ 2,958 $ 2,667 Service cost 1,096 1,626 116 105 Interest cost 1,900 2,114 82 97 Actuarial loss 8,570 5,125 247 97 Benefits paid (1,663 ) (1,579 ) (112 ) (8 ) Curtailments (6,632 ) — — — Settlements (7,544 ) — — — Benefit obligation, end of year 57,280 61,553 3,291 2,958 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 40,725 40,971 — — Actual return on plan assets 5,816 1,333 — — Employer contribution 8,000 — 112 8 Benefits paid (1,663 ) (1,579 ) (112 ) (8 ) Settlements (7,544 ) — — — Fair value of plan assets, end of year 45,334 40,725 — — Funded status, recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets $ (11,946 ) $ (20,828 ) $ (3,291 ) $ (2,958 ) See “Cash Flows” below for further information about employer contributions and benefits payments. The accumulated benefit obligation for the Pension Plan was $57,280,000 and $54,696,000 as of July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019, respectively. The following table shows amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31 (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Deferred income taxes $ 2,443 $ 5,346 $ 850 $ 754 Other current liabilities $ — $ — $ (97 ) $ (65 ) Other noncurrent liabilities $ (11,946 ) $ (20,828 ) $ (3,194 ) $ (2,893 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss – net of tax: Net actuarial loss $ 11,642 $ 14,731 $ 352 $ 184 Prior service cost (income) $ — $ — $ — $ (24 ) Benefit Costs and Amortizations The following table shows the components of the net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Cost Postretirement Health Benefit Cost 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 1,096 $ 1,626 $ 116 $ 105 Interest cost 1,900 2,114 82 97 Expected return on plan assets (2,790 ) (2,809 ) — — Amortization of: Prior service costs (income) — 2 (6 ) (6 ) Other actuarial loss 1,005 771 — — Settlement cost 2,012 — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 3,223 $ 1,704 $ 192 $ 196 The following table shows amounts, net of tax, that are recognized in other comprehensive income by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net actuarial loss $ 4,243 $ 5,016 $ 188 $ 73 Amortization of: Prior service (cost) income — (1 ) 5 5 Amortization of actuarial loss (763 ) (586 ) — — Curtailment/Settlement $ (6,570 ) $ — $ — $ — Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss $ (3,090 ) $ 4,429 $ 193 $ 78 The following table shows amortization amounts, net of tax, expected to be recognized in fiscal year 2021 in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands): Amortization of: Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 786 $ 11 Prior service income — (5 ) Total to be recognized as other comprehensive loss (income) $ 786 $ 6 Cash Flows We have funded the Pension Plan based upon actuarially determined contributions that take into account the amount deductible for income tax purposes, the normal cost and the minimum contribution required and the maximum contribution allowed under applicable regulations. During fiscal 2020, we made two voluntary contributions for $5,000,000 and $3,000,000 in excess of the minimum required amount. The first contribution was made within eight and one-half months after the end of our fiscal year 2019 and therefore was deductible for our 2019 tax year. The voluntary contributions also improved our funded status and contributed to a lower net periodic benefit expense. We do not expect to make a contribution to the Pension Plan in fiscal year 2021 . The postretirement health plan is an unfunded plan. Our policy is to pay health insurance premiums and claims from our assets. The following table shows the estimated future benefit payments by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2021 $ 1,743 $ 115 2022 $ 1,794 $ 98 2023 $ 1,798 $ 121 2024 $ 1,842 $ 191 2025 $ 1,952 $ 234 2026-30 $ 11,484 $ 1,385 Assumptions Our pension benefit and postretirement health benefit obligations and the related effects on operations are calculated using actuarial models. Critical assumptions that are important elements of plan expenses and asset/liability measurements include discount rate and expected return on assets for the Pension Plan and health care cost trend for the postretirement health plan. We evaluate these critical assumptions at least annually. Other assumptions involving demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality and turnover are evaluated periodically and are updated to reflect our experience and to meet regulatory requirements. Actual results in any given year will often differ from actuarial assumptions because of economic and other factors. The assumptions used in the previous calculations by fiscal year were as follows: Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs 3.35% 4.04% 2.93% 3.81% Discount rate for year-end obligations 2.14% 3.35% 1.63% 2.93% Rate of increase in compensation levels for net periodic benefit costs —% 3.50% —% —% Rate of increase in compensation levels for year-end obligations —% 3.50% —% —% Long-term expected rate of return on assets 7.00% 7.00% —% —% The discount rate was based on the FTSE Pension Discount Curve to determine separately for the Pension Plan and the postretirement health plan, the single equivalent rate that would yield the same present value as the specific plan’s expected cash flows. Our expected rate of return on Pension Plan assets is determined by our asset allocation, our historical long-term investment performance, our estimate of future long-term returns by asset class (using input from our actuaries, investment managers and investment advisors), and long-term inflation assumptions. For fiscal year 2020 , the medical cost trend assumption used for the postretirement health benefit cost was 7.2% . The graded trend rate is expected to decrease to an ultimate rate of 4.5% in fiscal year 2038 . The following table reflects the effect on postretirement health costs and accruals in fiscal year 2020 of a one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend (in thousands): One-Percentage Point Increase One-Percentage Point Decrease Effect on total service and interest cost $27 $(23) Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $337 $(297) Pension Plan Assets The investment objective for the Pension Plan assets is to optimize long-term return at a moderate level of risk in order to secure the benefit obligations to participants at a reasonable cost. To reach this goal, our investment structure includes various asset classes, asset allocations and investment management styles that, in total, have a reasonable likelihood of producing a sufficient level of overall diversification that balances expected return with expected risk over the long-term. The Pension Plan does not invest directly in Company stock. We measure and monitor the plan’s asset investment performance and the allocation of assets through quarterly investment portfolio reviews. Investment performance is measured by absolute returns, returns relative to benchmark indices and any other appropriate basis of comparison. The targeted allocation percentages of plan assets is shown below for fiscal year 2021 and the actual allocation as of July 31: Asset Allocation Target fiscal 2021 2020 2019 Cash and accrued income 2% 1% —% Fixed income 38% 68% 42% Equity 60% 31% 58% In anticipation of the Lump Sum Option payments we adjusted our asset allocation in fiscal year 2020 and plan to revert back to our historical asset allocations in fiscal year 2021. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Pension Plan's assets carried at fair value (in thousands): Fair Value At July 31, 2020 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Asset Class Cash and cash equivalents (a) $ 557 $ 557 $ — Equity securities (b) : U.S. companies 9,401 2,093 7,308 International companies 495 495 — Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market (c) 2,867 — 2,867 Emerging markets (d) 1,022 — 1,022 Commodities (e) — — — Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries 3,014 — 3,014 Debt securities (f) 10,131 — 10,131 Government sponsored entities (g) 5,131 — 5,131 Multi-strategy bond fund (h) 10,547 — 10,547 Money market fund (i) 486 — 486 Other (j) 1,683 — 1,683 Total $ 45,334 $ 3,145 $ 42,189 Fair Value At July 31, 2019 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Asset Class Cash and cash equivalents (a) $ 66 $ 66 $ — Equity securities (b) : U.S. companies 13,775 4,147 9,628 International companies 2,609 2,609 — Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market (c) 5,275 — 5,275 Emerging markets (d) 1,141 — 1,141 Commodities (e) 637 — 637 Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries 3,273 — 3,273 Debt securities(f) 8,103 — 8,103 Government sponsored entities (g) 2,087 — 2,087 Multi-strategy bond fund (h) 813 — 813 Money market fund (i) 557 — 557 Other (j) 2,389 — 2,389 Total $ 40,725 $ 6,822 $ 33,903 (a) Cash and cash equivalents consists of highly liquid investments which are traded in active markets. (b) This class represents equities traded on regulated exchanges, as well as funds that invest in a portfolio of such stocks. (c) These mutual funds seek long-term capital growth by investing no less than 80% of their assets in stocks of non- U.S. companies that are primarily in developed markets, but also may invest in emerging and less developed markets. (d) These mutual funds seek to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stock issued by companies located in emerging market countries. (e) These investments seek attractive total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of commodity futures contracts and fixed income investments. (f) This class includes bonds and loans of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate issuers from diverse industries and bonds of domestic and foreign municipalities. (g) This class represents a beneficial ownership interest in a pool of single-family residential mortgage loans. These investments are generally not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, except for securities valued at $289,000 in our portfolio as of July 31, 2020 and $377,000 as of July 31, 2019 . (h) This class invests at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and other fixed income instruments issued by governmental or private-sector entities. More than 50% of its net assets are invested in mortgage-backed securities. The fund may invest up to 33 1/3% of its net assets in high-yield bonds, bank loans and assignments and credit default swaps. (i) These money market mutual funds seek to provide current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal by investing in a diversified portfolio of high quality, short-term, dollar-denominated debt securities. These funds may include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, short-term securities issued by domestic or foreign banks, domestic and dollar-denominated foreign commercial papers, and other short-term corporate obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments. (j) This class includes funds that use a number of other strategies, including arbitrage, to obtain long-term positive returns. The portfolio of instruments may include equities, debt securities, real estate properties, warrants, options, swaps, future contracts, forwards or other types of derivative instruments.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION Level 1 (

DEFERRED COMPENSATION Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
DEFERRED COMPENSATION Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
DEFERRED COMPENSATION [Abstract]
Deferred Compensation	DEFERRED COMPENSATION Oil-Dri's deferred compensation plans permit directors and certain management employees to defer portions of their compensation and to earn interest on the deferred amounts. Participants have deferred $266,000 and $418,000 into these plans in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. We recorded $171,000 and $204,000 of interest expense associated with these plans in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Payments to participants were $440,000 and $1,144,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and the total liability recorded for deferred compensation was $4,017,000 and $3,560,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The Oil-Dri Corporation of America Annual Incentive Plan provides certain executives with the opportunity to receive a deferred executive bonus award if certain financial goals are met. A total of $1,352,000 and $513,000 were awarded to certain executives for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. These awards will vest and accrue interest over a three -year period. Our deferred compensation plans are unfunded. We fund these benefits when payments are made, and the timing and amount of the payments are determined according to the plans' provisions and, for certain plans, according to individual employee agreements. Our SERP provides certain retired participants in the Pension Plan with the amount of benefits that would have been provided under the Pension Plan but for: (1) the limitations on benefits imposed by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code (“Code”), and/or (2) the limitation on compensation for purposes of calculating benefits under the Pension Plan imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Code. The SERP is unfunded and benefits will be funded when payments are made. The SERP liability is actuarially determined at the end of each fiscal year using assumptions similar to those used for the Pension Plan, see Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The SERP liability was $1,447,000 and $2,708,000 as of July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 , respectively. We recorded expense related to the SERP of $34,000 and $539,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. On January 9, 2020, we amended the SERP to freeze participation and any excess benefit, supplemental benefit or additional benefit effective March 1, 2020. Consequently, the SERP is closed to new participants and current participants no longer earn additional benefits on or after March 1, 2020. The amendment of the SERP triggered a curtailment which required a remeasurement of the SERP's obligation. The remeasurement resulted in a decrease in the SERP liability and recognition of a curtailment gain of approximately $1,296,000 , which has been recorded in SG&A. Subsequent to the curtailment, the SERP was terminated effective June 30, 2020. Any payments that would otherwise have been payable pursuant to the SERP plan on or after June 30, 2021, will instead be paid in the form of one lump sum, with such lump sum payable no earlier than June 30, 2021 and no later than June 8, 2022.

OTHER CONTINGENCIES Level 1 (No

OTHER CONTINGENCIES Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
OTHER CONTINGENCIES Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
OTHER CONTINGENCIES [Abstract]
Other Contingencies Disclosure	OTHER CONTINGENCIES

LEASES Level 1 (Notes)

LEASES Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
LEASES Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessor Disclosure	LEASES We have operating leases primarily for real estate properties, including corporate headquarters, customer service and sales offices, manufacturing and packaging facilities, warehouses, and research and development facilities, as well as for rail tracks, railcars and office equipment. Certain of our leases for a shared warehouse and office facility, rail track and railcars have options to extend which we are reasonably certain we will exercise and, accordingly, have been considered in the lease term used to recognize our ROU assets and lease liabilities. To determine the present value of the lease liability, we use an incremental borrowing rate, which is defined as the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow (on a collateralized basis over a similar term) an amount equal to the lease payments in similar economic environments. Further information about our accounting policy for leases is included in Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We have no material finance leases, and variable costs for operating leases are immaterial. Operating lease costs are included in Cost of Sales or SG&A expenses based on the nature of the lease. The following table summarizes total lease costs for our operating leases (in thousands): For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Operating Lease Cost Operating lease cost $ 2,219 Short-term operating lease cost 788 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,878 Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, excluding leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. Other supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 9.4 years Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 3.87% The following table summarizes scheduled minimum future lease payments due within twelve months for operating leases with terms longer than one year for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of July 31, 2020 (in thousands): 2021 $ 2,552 2022 2,076 2023 1,106 2024 965 2025 885 Thereafter 6,131 Total 13,715 Less: imputed interest (2,410 ) Net lease obligation $ 11,305 Rent expense for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 was $2,873,000 . The following table summarizes scheduled minimum future lease payments due within twelve months for operating leases with terms longer than one year for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of July 31, 2019 (in thousands): 2020 $ 2,255 2021 1,640 2022 1,513 2023 1,038 2024 899 Thereafter 7,422

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Level 1 (Note

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Level 1 (Notes)	12 Months Ended
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Level 1 (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	SUBSEQUENT EVENTS Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date the financial statements were issued. Based on our evaluation no events have occurred that would require recognition in the Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosure in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Not

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Notes)	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Notes)	Jul. 31, 2020
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Related Party Transactions Disclosure	RELATED PARTIES One member of our Board of Directors retired from the role of President and Chief Executive Officer of a customer of ours on September 28, 2019 and is currently party to a post-employment consulting agreement with the customer. Total net sales to that customer, including sales to subsidiaries of that customer, were $388,000 and $462,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. There were no outstanding accounts receivable due from that customer, and its subsidiaries, as of July 31, 2020 and $10,000 outstanding as of July 31, 2019 . One member of our Board of Directors is currently the President and Chief Executive Officer of a vendor of ours. Total payments to this vendor for fees and cost reimbursements were $420,000 and $271,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. There were no outstanding amounts due to that vendor as of July 31, 2020 or July 31, 2019 .

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_2

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Level 2 (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	P RINCIPLES OF C ONSOLIDATION The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Oil-Dri Corporation of America and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated from the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Management Use of Estimates	M ANAGEMENT U SE OF E STIMATES The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Our estimates and assumptions are revised periodically. Actual results could differ from these estimates. For more information see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in Item 7 “ Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. ” In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Despite the adverse effects of COVID-19 on the overall economy, we have not experienced a significant decline in customer orders and sales in fiscal year 2020. However, the effects of COVID-19 are unprecedented, and therefore we are unable to ascertain the effects on our sales and net earnings in the future.
Cash and Cash Equivalents	C ASH AND C ASH E QUIVALENTS Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less.
Trade Receivables	T RADE R ECEIVABLES We recognize trade receivables when the risk of loss and title pass to the customer. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience and a periodic review of our accounts receivable, including a review of the overall aging of accounts, consideration of customer credit risk and analysis of facts and circumstances about specific accounts. A customer account is determined to be uncollectible when it is probable that a loss will be incurred after we have completed our internal collection procedures, including termination of shipments, direct customer contact and formal demand of payment. We retain outside collection agencies to facilitate our collection efforts. Past due status is determined based on contractual terms and customer payment history.
Inventories	I NVENTORIES The composition of inventories was as follows as of July 31 (in thousands): 2020 2019 Finished goods $ 14,500 $ 13,957 Packaging 4,587 5,681 Other 4,806 4,525 Inventories $ 23,893 $ 24,163 Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or net realizable value. Inventory costs include the cost of raw materials, packaging supplies, labor and other overhead costs. We performed a detailed review of our inventory items to determine if an obsolescence reserve adjustment was necessary. The review surveyed all of our operating facilities and sales groups to ensure that both historical issues and new market trends were considered. The obsolescence reserve not only considered specific items, but also took into consideration the overall value of the inventory as of the balance sheet date. We recorded inventory obsolescence reserves of approximately $926,000 and $704,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The higher obsolescence reserve and lower packaging inventories are attributed to our focus on inventory management and enhanced data available from our ERP system. Other inventories increased mainly due to higher levels of raw and purchased materials.
Translation of Foreign Currencies	T RANSLATION OF F OREIGN C URRENCIES Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries, where the local currency is the functional currency, are translated to U.S. Dollars at the exchange rates in effect at period end. Income statement items are translated at the average exchange rate on a monthly basis. Resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.
Intangibles and Goodwill	I NTANGIBLES AND G OODWILL We amortize most of our intangibles on a straight-line basis over periods ranging from 4 to 20 years. Our customer list intangible asset is amortized at an accelerated amortization rate in the earlier years to reflect the expected pattern of decline in the related benefits over time. Intangible amortization was $804,000 in fiscal year 2020 and $862,000 in fiscal year 2019 . Some intangible assets were determined to have indefinite lives and are not amortized, specifically one acquired trademark recorded at $376,000 . Our estimated intangible amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands): 2021 $ 583 2022 $ 431 2023 $ 227 2024 $ 91 2025 $ 66 The weighted average amortization period of our intangibles subject to amortization is as follows (in years): Weighted Average Amortization Period Trademarks and patents 14.3 Customer list 3.3 Total intangible assets subject to amortization 5.9 We periodically review indefinite-lived intangibles and goodwill to assess for impairment. Our review is based on cash flow considerations and other approaches that require significant judgment with respect to volume, revenue, expenses and allocations. Impairment occurs when the carrying value exceeds the fair value. Much of our goodwill cannot be specifically assigned to one of our operating segments because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, for purposes of our most recent impairment analysis we estimated the goodwill allocation and assigned $5,489,000 to the Retail and Wholesale Products Group and $3,773,000 to the Business to Business Products Group. We performed our annual impairment testing in the fourth quarter of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 . There was no impairment required based on our analysis for fiscal years 2020 or 2019 . We will continue to consider the need to re-perform impairment testing throughout the year when circumstances such as unexpected adverse economic factors, unanticipated technological changes, competitive activities and acts by governments and courts indicate that an asset may become impaired. In addition, although we have not identified any triggering events relating to goodwill or our intangibles, the ultimate effects of COVID-19 could change this assessment in the future, as outlined under Item 1A, Risk Factors, discussed above.
Overburden Removal and Mining Costs	O VERBURDEN R EMOVAL AND M INING C OSTS We surface mine sorbent minerals on property that we either own or lease as part of our overall operations. A significant part of our overall mining cost is incurred during the process of removing the overburden from the mine site, thus exposing the sorbent material used in a majority of our production processes. These stripping costs are treated as a variable inventory production cost and are included in cost of sales in the period they are incurred. Stripping costs included in cost of sales were approximately $1,722,000 and $2,430,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Stripping costs decreased in fiscal year 2020 due to a decrease in fuel costs and repair costs. We defer and amortize the pre-production overburden removal costs associated with opening a new mine. $316,000 of pre-production overburden removal costs were deferred in fiscal year 2020. There were no pre-production overburden removal costs deferred in fiscal year 2019. Additionally, it is our policy to capitalize the purchase cost of land and mineral rights, including associated legal fees, survey fees and real estate fees. The costs of obtaining mineral rights, including legal fees and drilling expenses, are also capitalized. The amount of land and mineral rights included in land on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $13,570,000 and $2,165,000 , respectively, as of July 31, 2020 , and were $13,638,000 and $2,165,000 , respectively, as of July 31, 2019 . Pre-production development costs on new mines and any prepaid royalties that may be offset against future royalties due upon extraction of the mineral are also capitalized. Total pre-production costs, including the overburden removal costs deferred above, that were capitalized in fiscal year 2020 were $535,000 . No material capitalized pre-production development costs were recorded in fiscal year 2019 . Prepaid royalties included in current prepaid expenses and in non-current other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were approximately $1,232,000 and $1,184,000 as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 , respectively.
Reclamation	R ECLAMATION We perform ongoing reclamation activities during the normal course of our overburden removal. As overburden is removed from a mine site, it is hauled to previously mined sites and is used to refill older sites. This process allows us to continuously reclaim older mine sites and dispose of overburden simultaneously, therefore minimizing the costs associated with the reclamation process. On an annual basis we evaluate our potential reclamation liability in accordance with ASC 410, Asset Retirement and Environmental Obligations. The reclamation assets are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the various mines. The reclamation liabilities are increased based on a yearly accretion charge over the estimated useful lives of the mines.
Property, Plant and Equipment	P ROPERTY , P LANT AND E QUIPMENT Property, plant and equipment are generally depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives which are listed below. Depreciation expense was $13,119,000 and $12,468,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Major improvements and betterments are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not extend the useful life of the applicable assets are expensed as incurred. Interest expense may also be capitalized for assets that require a period of time to get them ready for their intended use. There was no capitalized interest in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 . Years Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 Machinery and equipment Packaging 2 - 20 Processing 2 - 30 Mining and other 2 - 20 Office furniture and equipment 3 - 15 Vehicles 2 - 15 Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are reviewed for possible impairment on an annual basis or when circumstances indicate impairment that an asset may become impaired. We take into consideration idle and underutilized equipment and review business plans for possible impairment. When impairment is indicated, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference between the carrying value of the asset and its fair market value. No impairment was recorded in either fiscal year 2020 or 2019
Other Noncurrent Liabilities	O THER N ONCURRENT L IABILITIES On March 27, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was signed into U.S. law. The CARES Act provides for, among other things, deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes incurred through the end of calendar 2020. As permitted by the CARES Act, we deferred approximately $864,000 in payroll taxes during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2020 and expect to defer the payment of payroll taxes each quarter for the remainder of calendar year 2020 to be paid equally in the fourth quarters of calendar years 2021 and 2022 representing approximately $2,100,000 in payroll taxes.
Trade Promotions	T RADE P ROMOTIONS We routinely commit to one-time or ongoing trade promotion programs, primarily in our Retail and Wholesale Products Group. All such costs are netted against sales. We have accrued liabilities at the end of each period for the estimated expenses incurred but not yet paid for these programs. Promotional reserves are provided for sales incentives made directly to consumers, such as coupons, and sales incentives made to customers, such as slotting, discounts based on sales volume, cooperative marketing programs and other arrangements. We use judgment for estimates to determine our trade spending liabilities. We rely on our historical experience of trade spending patterns and that of the industry, current trends and forecast data.
Advertising	A DVERTISING Advertising costs for the development of printed materials, television commercials, web-based digital banners, web-based social media and sales videos are deferred and expensed upon the first use of the materials, unless such amounts are immaterial. Costs paid for communicating advertising over a period of time, such as television air time, radio commercials and print media advertising space, are deferred and expensed on a pro-rata basis. All other advertising costs, including participation in industry conventions and shows and market research, are expensed when incurred. All advertising costs are part of selling, general and administrative expenses. Advertising expenses were approximately $9,674,000 and $6,909,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	F AIR V ALUE OF F INANCIAL I NSTRUMENTS Non-derivative financial instruments included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are cash and cash equivalents and notes payable. These instruments, except for notes payable, were carried at amounts approximating fair value as of July 31, 2020 and 2019 . See Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the fair value of our financial instruments, including notes payable.
Revenue Recognition	R EVENUE R ECOGNITION We recognize revenue when performance obligations under the terms of the contracts with customers are satisfied. Our performance obligation generally consists of the promise to sell finished products to wholesalers, distributors and retailers or consumers and our obligations have an original duration of one year or less. Control of the finished products are transferred upon shipment to, or receipt at, customers' locations, as determined by the specific terms of the contract. We have completed our performance obligation when control is transferred and we recognize revenue accordingly. Taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from net sales. Sales returns and allowances are not material. We have an unconditional right to consideration under the payment terms specified in the contract upon completion of the performance obligation. We may require certain customers to provide payment in advance of product shipment. We recorded a liability for these advance payments of $247,000 and $259,000 as of July 31, 2020 and July 31, 2019 , respectively. This liability is reported in Other Accrued Expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Revenue recognized during fiscal year 2020 that was included in the liability for advance payments at the beginning of the year was $232,000 .
Cost of Sales	C OST OF S ALES Cost of sales consists of all manufacturing costs, including depreciation and amortization related to assets used in the manufacturing and distribution process, inbound and outbound freight, inspection costs, purchasing costs associated with materials and packaging used in the production process and warehouse and distribution costs.
Shipping and Handling Costs	S HIPPING AND H ANDLING C OSTS Shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales and were approximately $39,865,000 and $47,717,000 for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. The decrease in fiscal year 2020 relates to the decrease in freight due to lower transportation rates from improved truck availability. In addition, costs were higher in the first half of the prior fiscal year due to one-time events, including a greater number of product transfers between our plants and warehouses to support customer service during the implementation of our new ERP system on August 1, 2018 and disruptions due to Hurricane Michael.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses	S ELLING , G ENERAL AND A DMINISTRATIVE E XPENSES Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, wages and benefits associated with staff outside the manufacturing and distribution functions, all marketing related costs, any miscellaneous trade spending expenses not required to be included in net sales, research and development costs, depreciation and amortization related to assets outside the manufacturing and distribution process and all other non-manufacturing and non-distribution expenses.
Research and Development	R ESEARCH AND D EVELOPMENT Research and development costs of approximately $2,765,000 and $3,202,000 were charged to expense as incurred for fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.
Pension and Postretirement Benefit Costs	P ENSION AND P OSTRETIREMENT B ENEFIT C OSTS We provide a defined benefit pension plan for eligible salaried and hourly employees and we make contributions to fund the plan. We also provide a postretirement health benefit plan to domestic salaried employees who qualify under the plan’s provisions. The postretirement health benefit plan is unfunded. Our pension and postretirement health benefit plans are accounted for using actuarial valuations required by ASC 715, Compensation – Retirement Benefits . The funded status of our defined pension and postretirement health benefit plans are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the funded status that arise during the period but are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost are recognized within other comprehensive income, net of income tax. In fiscal year 2020 we amended the defined benefit pension plan and the plan is now closed to new entrants. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Stock-Based Compensation	S TOCK -B ASED C OMPENSATION We account for stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . The fair value of stock-based compensation is determined at the grant date. The related compensation expense is recognized over the appropriate vesting period. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
Income Taxes	I NCOME TAXES Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the impact of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and the amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets are reviewed and a valuation allowance is established if management believes that it is more likely than not that some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized. Changes in valuation allowances from period to period are included in the tax provision in the period of change. In addition to existing valuation allowances, we provide for uncertain tax positions, if necessary, when such tax positions do not meet the recognition thresholds or measurement standards prescribed by ASC 740, Income Taxes . Amounts for uncertain tax positions are adjusted when new information becomes available or when positions are effectively settled. We recognize interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. U.S. income tax expense and foreign withholding taxes are provided on remittances of foreign earnings and on unremitted foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested. Where unremitted foreign earnings are indefinitely reinvested, no provision for federal or state tax expense is recorded. When circumstances change and we determine that some or all of the undistributed earnings will be remitted in the foreseeable future, a corresponding expense is accrued in the current period. See Note 5 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about income taxes.
Other Operating Income	O THER O PERATING I NCOME Included within Other Operating Income is revenue earned from a confidential license agreement. Pursuant to this agreement, the Company granted a non-exclusive, perpetual license to develop, manufacture, use, distribute and sell products produced using formulations under certain of our patents until their expiration and agreed to certain limitations on the ability of the parties to bring forth patent infringement claims or challenges relating to certain products in exchange for a one-time payment of $13,000,000 . This revenue is recognized at a point in time as it is considered functional intellectual property.
New Accounting Pronouncements	N EW A CCOUNTING P RONOUNCEMENTS Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements On August 1, 2019 we adopted ASC 842, Leases , using the modified retrospective transition approach and, accordingly, we did not restate prior comparative period financial statements. As of the date of adoption, we elected the package of practical expedients that allowed us to forgo assessment under the ASC 842 guidance whether existing or expired contracts contained leases, the classification of expired or existing leases and the accounting for previously incurred initial direct costs. We also elected the practical expedient to forgo assessment under ASC 842 whether existing or expired land easements not previously accounted for under legacy leasing GAAP contain leases. The adoption of ASC 842 on August 1, 2019 resulted in the recognition of additional ROU assets and lease liabilities related to operating leases of $9,348,000 and $10,910,000 , respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheet. There was no material impact to any of our other consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 848, Reference Rate Reform . This guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions to account for debt, leases, contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate if certain criteria are met. The guidance is effective immediately and may be applied prospectively to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. We are currently evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of this guidance on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 740, Income Taxes , which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. The guidance removes several specific exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and clarifies and makes amendments to improve consistent application of and simplify existing accounting for other areas in ASC 740. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2022, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses , which requires companies to utilize an impairment model for most financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain other financial instruments, which include trade and other receivables, loans and held-to-maturity debt securities, to record an allowance for credit risk based on expected losses rather than incurred losses. In addition, this new guidance changes the recognition method for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities, which can occur as a result of market and credit risk, as well as additional disclosures. In general, this guidance will require modified retrospective adoption for all outstanding instruments that fall under this guidance. This guidance is effective for our first quarter of fiscal year 2023. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on our Consolidated Financial Statements. There have been no other accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted by us which are expected to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 2 (Pol

OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 2 (Policy)	12 Months Ended
OPERATING SEGMENTS Level 2 (Policy)	Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Segment Reporting	We have two reportable operating segments: (1) Retail and Wholesale Products Group and (2) Business to Business Products Group. These operating segments are managed separately and each segment's major customers have different characteristics. The Retail and Wholesale Products Group customers include mass merchandisers, wholesale clubs, drugstore chains, pet specialty retail outlets, dollar stores, retail grocery stores, distributors of industrial cleanup and automotive products, environmental service companies and sports field product users. The Business to Business Products Group customers include: processors and refiners of edible oils, petroleum-based oils and biodiesel fuel; manufacturers of animal feed and agricultural chemicals; distributors of animal health and nutrition products; and marketers of consumer products.

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Valu

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value (Policies)	12 Months Ended
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Fair Value (Policies)	Jul. 31, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement, Policy	Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The inputs used to measure fair value are prioritized into one of three categories based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Categories in the hierarchy are as follows:

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Policy Text Block]	S TOCK -B ASED C OMPENSATION We account for stock options and restricted stock issued under our long term incentive plans in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation . The fair value of stock-based compensation is determined at the grant date. The related compensation expense is recognized over the appropriate vesting period. See Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Level 3 (Tables)	12 Months Ended
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Level 3 (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]
Inventories	The composition of inventories was as follows as of July 31 (in thousands): 2020 2019 Finished goods $ 14,500 $ 13,957 Packaging 4,587 5,681 Other 4,806 4,525 Inventories $ 23,893 $ 24,163
Estimated Intangible Amortization Expense	Our estimated intangible amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows (in thousands): 2021 $ 583 2022 $ 431 2023 $ 227 2024 $ 91 2025 $ 66
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Weighted Average Amortization Period	The weighted average amortization period of our intangibles subject to amortization is as follows (in years): Weighted Average Amortization Period Trademarks and patents 14.3 Customer list 3.3 Total intangible assets subject to amortization 5.9
Property, Plant and Equipment Estimated Useful Lives	Years Buildings and leasehold improvements 3 - 40 Machinery and equipment Packaging 2 - 20 Processing 2 - 30 Mining and other 2 - 20 Office furniture and equipment 3 - 15 Vehicles 2 - 15

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Tables)

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
OPERATING SEGMENTS (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
OPERATING SEGMENTS [Abstract]
Revenue by Principal Product by Operating Segment	Net sales for our principal products by segment are as follows (in thousands): Business to Business Products Group Retail and Wholesale Products Group Year Ended July 31, Product 2020 2019 2020 2019 Cat Litter $ 14,528 $ 13,764 $ 147,503 $ 135,489 Industrial and Sports — — 29,035 33,341 Agricultural and Horticultural 21,886 24,311 — — Bleaching Clay and Fluids Purification 50,117 51,905 2,429 2,318 Animal Health and Nutrition 17,729 15,897 — — Net Sales $ 104,260 $ 105,877 $ 178,967 $ 171,148
Segment Reporting Information	Net sales and operating income for each segment are provided below. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. We do not rely on any operating segment asset allocations and we do not consider them meaningful because of the shared nature of our production facilities; however, we have estimated the segment asset allocations below for those assets for which we can reasonably determine. The unallocated asset category is the remainder of our total assets. The asset allocation is estimated and is not a measure used by our chief operating decision maker about allocating resources to the operating segments or in assessing their performance. The corporate expenses line in the table below represents certain unallocated expenses, including primarily salaries, wages and benefits, purchased services, rent, utilities and depreciation and amortization associated with corporate functions such as research and development, information systems, finance, legal, human resources and customer service. Corporate expenses also include the annual incentive plan bonus accrual. Other income in fiscal year 2019 included net proceeds upon resolution of legal proceedings. The amount received under a confidential agreement resolving these legal proceedings was material to our financial results for the period. Other operating income in fiscal year 2020 relates to revenue earned from a license arrangement of our intellectual property. See Note 1 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. July 31, Assets 2020 2019 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 72,987 $ 65,282 Retail and Wholesale Products 95,838 94,809 Unallocated assets 67,057 45,136 Total Assets $ 235,882 $ 205,227 Year Ended July 31, Net Sales Income 2020 2019 2020 2019 (in thousands) Business to Business Products $ 104,260 $ 105,877 $ 31,218 $ 31,388 Retail and Wholesale Products 178,967 171,148 15,859 8,683 Net Sales $ 283,227 $ 277,025 Other Operating Income 13,000 — Corporate Expenses (35,250 ) (29,659 ) Income from Operations 24,827 10,412 Total Other (Expense) Income, Net (1,807 ) 4,136 Income Before Income Taxes 23,020 14,548 Income Tax Expense (4,280 ) (1,933 ) Net Income $ 18,740 $ 12,615 Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest $ (160 ) $ 4 Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri $ 18,900 $ 12,611
Financial Information by Geographic Region	The following is a summary by fiscal year of financial information by geographic region (in thousands): 2020 2019 Sales to unaffiliated customers by: Domestic operations $ 268,007 $ 263,469 Foreign subsidiaries $ 15,220 $ 13,556 Sales or transfers between geographic areas: Domestic operations $ 6,566 $ 5,097 Income before income taxes: Domestic operations $ 24,494 $ 14,280 Foreign subsidiaries $ (1,474 ) $ 268 Net Income (Loss) attributable to Oil-Dri: Domestic operations $ 20,208 $ 12,456 Foreign subsidiaries $ (1,308 ) $ 155 Identifiable assets: Domestic operations $ 223,296 $ 195,032 Foreign subsidiaries $ 12,586 $ 10,195
Largest Customer Information	Sales to Walmart, our largest customer, are included in our Retail and Wholesale Products Group. The percentage of consolidated net sales and net accounts receivable attributed to Walmart are shown in the table below: 2020 2019 Net sales for the years ended July 31 19% 20% Net accounts receivable as of July 31 18% 26%

DEBT (Tables)

DEBT (Tables)	12 Months Ended
DEBT (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
Notes Payable [Abstract]
Schedule of Notes Payable	The composition of notes payable is as follows as of July 31 (in thousands): 2020 2019 Senior notes payable in annual installments on August 1. Final payment made in fiscal year 2020. Interest was payable semi-annually at an annual rate of 3.96%. $ — $ 6,167 Amended and Restated Note Purchase and Private Shelf Agreement. Annual principal installments on May 15: $1,000 in each fiscal year 2021 through 2030. Interest is payable semi-annually at an annual rate of 3.95% 10,000 — Less current maturities of notes payable (1,000 ) (3,083 ) Less unamortized debt issuance costs $ (152 ) $ (32 ) Noncurrent notes payable $ 8,848 $ 3,052
Schedule of Maturities	The following is a schedule by fiscal year of future principal maturities of notes payable as of July 31, 2020 (in thousands): 2021 $ 1,000 2022 1,000 2023 1,000 2024 1,000 2025 1,000

INCOME TAXES (Tables)

INCOME TAXES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
INCOME TAXES [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense	The provision for income tax expense by fiscal year consists of the following (in thousands): 2020 2019 Current Federal $ 3,768 $ (529 ) Foreign 5 (5 ) State 999 1,416 Current Income Tax Total 4,772 882 Deferred Federal (610 ) 1,344 Foreign (3 ) 113 State 121 (406 ) Deferred Income Tax Total (492 ) 1,051 Total Income Tax Expense $ 4,280 $ 1,933
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	Principal reasons for variations between the statutory federal rate and the effective rates by fiscal year were as follows: 2020 2019 U.S. federal income tax rate 21.0 % 21.0 % Depletion deductions allowed for mining (4.8 ) (8.2 ) State income tax expense, net of federal tax expense 4.3 2.5 Difference in effective tax rate of foreign subsidiaries 1.2 0.2 Prior year income taxes (1.0 ) (1.9 ) Other (2.1 ) (0.3 ) Effective income tax rate 18.6 % 13.3 %
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities	The Consolidated Balance Sheets included the following tax effects of cumulative temporary differences as of July 31 (in thousands): ` 2020 2019 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Depreciation $ — $ 3,926 $ — $ 3,995 Deferred compensation 1,779 — 2,121 — Postretirement benefits 3,293 — 6,100 — Lease right of use assets — 2,534 — — Lease liabilities 2,918 — — — Allowance for doubtful accounts 178 — 81 — Deferred marketing expenses — 194 — 326 Other assets — 9 390 — Accrued expenses 4,131 — 2,076 — Tax credits 147 — 250 — Amortization 48 — 166 — Inventories 343 — 264 — Depletion — 173 — 173 Stock-based compensation 987 — 556 — Reclamation 447 — 392 — Other assets – foreign 790 — 585 — Valuation allowance (923 ) — (732 ) — Total deferred taxes $ 14,138 $ 6,836 $ 12,249 $ 4,494

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_2

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive income by component (in thousands): Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits Cumulative Translation Adjustment Total Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Balance as of July 31, 2018 $ (10,384 ) $ (231 ) (10,615 ) Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications, net of tax (5,089 ) a) 83 (5,006 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 582 b) — 582 Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax (4,507 ) 83 (4,424 ) Balance as of July 31, 2019 $ (14,891 ) $ (148 ) $ (15,039 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications, net of tax (4,431 ) a) (112 ) (4,543 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 758 b) — 758 Curtailment/Settlement on Pension Plan 6,570 c) — 6,570 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax 2,897 (112 ) 2,785 Balance as of July 31, 2020 $ (11,994 ) $ (260 ) $ (12,254 ) a) Amounts are net of taxes of $ 1,359,000 and $1,607,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively, and are included in Other Comprehensive Loss. b) Amounts are net of taxes of $242,000 and $185,000 in fiscal years 2020 and 2019 , respectively. Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. c) Amount is net of taxes of $2,075,000 in fiscal year 2020 . Amounts are included in the components of net periodic benefit cost for the pension and postretirement health plans. See Note 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information about pension and postretirement health benefits.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Table

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION [Abstract]
Schedule of summary of restricted stock	A summary of restricted stock transactions under the plans is shown below. Number of Shares (in thousands) Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years) Unamortized Expense (in thousands) Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2018 178 $ 32.74 1.7 $ 3,050 Granted 321 $ 32.89 Vested (61 ) $ 31.90 Forfeited (24 ) $ 30.85 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2019 414 $ 33.09 4.5 $ 10,474 Granted 26 $ 33.57 Vested (44 ) $ 32.53 Forfeited (6 ) $ 32.46 Non-vested restricted stock outstanding at July 31, 2020 390 $ 33.19 4.0 $ 7,784

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_2

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	12 Months Ended
PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS [Abstract]
Schedule of Obligations and Funded Status	The following tables provide a reconciliation of changes in the plans’ benefit obligations, asset fair values and funded status by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Change in benefit obligation : Benefit obligation, beginning of year $ 61,553 $ 54,267 $ 2,958 $ 2,667 Service cost 1,096 1,626 116 105 Interest cost 1,900 2,114 82 97 Actuarial loss 8,570 5,125 247 97 Benefits paid (1,663 ) (1,579 ) (112 ) (8 ) Curtailments (6,632 ) — — — Settlements (7,544 ) — — — Benefit obligation, end of year 57,280 61,553 3,291 2,958 Change in plan assets: Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year 40,725 40,971 — — Actual return on plan assets 5,816 1,333 — — Employer contribution 8,000 — 112 8 Benefits paid (1,663 ) (1,579 ) (112 ) (8 ) Settlements (7,544 ) — — — Fair value of plan assets, end of year 45,334 40,725 — — Funded status, recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets $ (11,946 ) $ (20,828 ) $ (3,291 ) $ (2,958 )
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Balance Sheet	The following table shows amounts recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of July 31 (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Deferred income taxes $ 2,443 $ 5,346 $ 850 $ 754 Other current liabilities $ — $ — $ (97 ) $ (65 ) Other noncurrent liabilities $ (11,946 ) $ (20,828 ) $ (3,194 ) $ (2,893 ) Accumulated other comprehensive loss – net of tax: Net actuarial loss $ 11,642 $ 14,731 $ 352 $ 184 Prior service cost (income) $ — $ — $ — $ (24 )
Schedule of Net Benefit Costs	The following table shows the components of the net periodic pension and postretirement health benefit costs by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Cost Postretirement Health Benefit Cost 2020 2019 2020 2019 Service cost $ 1,096 $ 1,626 $ 116 $ 105 Interest cost 1,900 2,114 82 97 Expected return on plan assets (2,790 ) (2,809 ) — — Amortization of: Prior service costs (income) — 2 (6 ) (6 ) Other actuarial loss 1,005 771 — — Settlement cost 2,012 — — — Net periodic benefit cost $ 3,223 $ 1,704 $ 192 $ 196
Schedule of Amounts Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income	The following table shows amounts, net of tax, that are recognized in other comprehensive income by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Net actuarial loss $ 4,243 $ 5,016 $ 188 $ 73 Amortization of: Prior service (cost) income — (1 ) 5 5 Amortization of actuarial loss (763 ) (586 ) — — Curtailment/Settlement $ (6,570 ) $ — $ — $ — Total recognized in other comprehensive (income) loss $ (3,090 ) $ 4,429 $ 193 $ 78
Schedule of Amounts in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) to be Recognized over Next Fiscal Year	The following table shows amortization amounts, net of tax, expected to be recognized in fiscal year 2021 in accumulated other comprehensive income (in thousands): Amortization of: Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits Net actuarial loss $ 786 $ 11 Prior service income — (5 ) Total to be recognized as other comprehensive loss (income) $ 786 $ 6
Schedule of Expected Benefit Payments	The following table shows the estimated future benefit payments by fiscal year (in thousands): Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2021 $ 1,743 $ 115 2022 $ 1,794 $ 98 2023 $ 1,798 $ 121 2024 $ 1,842 $ 191 2025 $ 1,952 $ 234 2026-30 $ 11,484 $ 1,385
Schedule of Assumptions Used	The assumptions used in the previous calculations by fiscal year were as follows: Pension Benefits Postretirement Health Benefits 2020 2019 2020 2019 Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs 3.35% 4.04% 2.93% 3.81% Discount rate for year-end obligations 2.14% 3.35% 1.63% 2.93% Rate of increase in compensation levels for net periodic benefit costs —% 3.50% —% —% Rate of increase in compensation levels for year-end obligations —% 3.50% —% —% Long-term expected rate of return on assets 7.00% 7.00% —% —%
Schedule of Effect of One-Percentage-Point Change in Assumed Health Care Cost Trend Rates	The following table reflects the effect on postretirement health costs and accruals in fiscal year 2020 of a one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend (in thousands): One-Percentage Point Increase One-Percentage Point Decrease Effect on total service and interest cost $27 $(23) Effect on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation $337 $(297)
Schedule of Allocation of Plan Assets	The targeted allocation percentages of plan assets is shown below for fiscal year 2021 and the actual allocation as of July 31: Asset Allocation Target fiscal 2021 2020 2019 Cash and accrued income 2% 1% —% Fixed income 38% 68% 42% Equity 60% 31% 58% In anticipation of the Lump Sum Option payments we adjusted our asset allocation in fiscal year 2020 and plan to revert back to our historical asset allocations in fiscal year 2021. The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the Pension Plan's assets carried at fair value (in thousands): Fair Value At July 31, 2020 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Asset Class Cash and cash equivalents (a) $ 557 $ 557 $ — Equity securities (b) : U.S. companies 9,401 2,093 7,308 International companies 495 495 — Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market (c) 2,867 — 2,867 Emerging markets (d) 1,022 — 1,022 Commodities (e) — — — Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries 3,014 — 3,014 Debt securities (f) 10,131 — 10,131 Government sponsored entities (g) 5,131 — 5,131 Multi-strategy bond fund (h) 10,547 — 10,547 Money market fund (i) 486 — 486 Other (j) 1,683 — 1,683 Total $ 45,334 $ 3,145 $ 42,189 Fair Value At July 31, 2019 Total Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Observable Inputs (Level 2) Asset Class Cash and cash equivalents (a) $ 66 $ 66 $ — Equity securities (b) : U.S. companies 13,775 4,147 9,628 International companies 2,609 2,609 — Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market (c) 5,275 — 5,275 Emerging markets (d) 1,141 — 1,141 Commodities (e) 637 — 637 Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries 3,273 — 3,273 Debt securities(f) 8,103 — 8,103 Government sponsored entities (g) 2,087 — 2,087 Multi-strategy bond fund (h) 813 — 813 Money market fund (i) 557 — 557 Other (j) 2,389 — 2,389 Total $ 40,725 $ 6,822 $ 33,903 (a) Cash and cash equivalents consists of highly liquid investments which are traded in active markets. (b) This class represents equities traded on regulated exchanges, as well as funds that invest in a portfolio of such stocks. (c) These mutual funds seek long-term capital growth by investing no less than 80% of their assets in stocks of non- U.S. companies that are primarily in developed markets, but also may invest in emerging and less developed markets. (d) These mutual funds seek to track the performance of a benchmark index that measures the investment return of stock issued by companies located in emerging market countries. (e) These investments seek attractive total return by investing primarily in a diversified portfolio of commodity futures contracts and fixed income investments. (f) This class includes bonds and loans of U.S. and non-U.S. corporate issuers from diverse industries and bonds of domestic and foreign municipalities. (g) This class represents a beneficial ownership interest in a pool of single-family residential mortgage loans. These investments are generally not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States government, except for securities valued at $289,000 in our portfolio as of July 31, 2020 and $377,000 as of July 31, 2019 . (h) This class invests at least 80% of its net assets in bonds and other fixed income instruments issued by governmental or private-sector entities. More than 50% of its net assets are invested in mortgage-backed securities. The fund may invest up to 33 1/3% of its net assets in high-yield bonds, bank loans and assignments and credit default swaps. (i) These money market mutual funds seek to provide current income consistent with liquidity and stability of principal by investing in a diversified portfolio of high quality, short-term, dollar-denominated debt securities. These funds may include securities issued or guaranteed as to principal and interest by the U.S. government or its agencies, short-term securities issued by domestic or foreign banks, domestic and dollar-denominated foreign commercial papers, and other short-term corporate obligations and obligations issued or guaranteed by one or more foreign governments. (j) This class includes funds that use a number of other strategies, including arbitrage, to obtain long-term positive returns. The portfolio of instruments may include equities, debt securities, real estate properties, warrants, options, swaps, future contracts, forwards or other types of derivative instruments.

LEASES (Tables)

LEASES (Tables)	12 Months Ended
LEASES (Tables)	Jul. 31, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Lease, Cost	We have no material finance leases, and variable costs for operating leases are immaterial. Operating lease costs are included in Cost of Sales or SG&A expenses based on the nature of the lease. The following table summarizes total lease costs for our operating leases (in thousands): For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Operating Lease Cost Operating lease cost $ 2,219 Short-term operating lease cost 788 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Other Information Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,878 Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are separately presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, excluding leases with an initial term of twelve months or less. Other supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows: For the Twelve Months Ended July 31, 2020 Weighted-average remaining lease term - operating leases 9.4 years Weighted-average discount rate - operating leases 3.87%
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity	The following table summarizes scheduled minimum future lease payments due within twelve months for operating leases with terms longer than one year for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of July 31, 2020 (in thousands): 2021 $ 2,552 2022 2,076 2023 1,106 2024 965 2025 885 Thereafter 6,131 Total 13,715 Less: imputed interest (2,410 ) Net lease obligation $ 11,305
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases	Rent expense for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2019 was $2,873,000 . The following table summarizes scheduled minimum future lease payments due within twelve months for operating leases with terms longer than one year for which cash flows are fixed and determinable as of July 31, 2019 (in thousands): 2020 $ 2,255 2021 1,640 2022 1,513 2023 1,038 2024 899 Thereafter 7,422

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_4

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Inventories (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Finished goods	$ 14,500	$ 13,957
Packaging	4,587	5,681
Other	4,806	4,525
Inventories	$ 23,893	$ 24,163

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_5

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Intangible Assets Amortization Expense (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Estimated Intangible Amortization Expense
2021	$ 583
2022	431
2023	227
2024	91
2025	$ 66

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_6

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Intangible Assets Weighted Average Amortization Period (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Amortization Period	5 years 10 months 24 days
Trademarks and patents
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Amortization Period	14 years 3 months 18 days
Customer list
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Amortization Period	3 years 3 months 18 days

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_7

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Property, Plant and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020
Minimum \| Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	3 years
Minimum \| Machinery and Equipment - Packaging
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	2 years
Minimum \| Machinery and Equipment - Processing
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	2 years
Minimum \| Machinery and Equipment - Mining and Other
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	2 years
Minimum \| Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	3 years
Minimum \| Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	2 years
Maximum \| Buildings and leasehold improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	40 years
Maximum \| Machinery and Equipment - Packaging
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	20 years
Maximum \| Machinery and Equipment - Processing
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	30 years
Maximum \| Machinery and Equipment - Mining and Other
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	20 years
Maximum \| Office furniture and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	15 years
Maximum \| Vehicles
Property, Plant and Equipment
Estimated useful life	15 years

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_8

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Aug. 02, 2019
Maximum maturity of cash equivalents	3 months	3 months
Short-term investments original maturity maximum	1 year
Inventory obsolescence reserves	$ 926,000	$ 704,000
Amortization of intangibles	804,000	862,000
Indefinite-lived trademarks	376,000	376,000
Goodwill	9,262,000	9,262,000
Goodwill impairment	0	0
Stripping costs	1,722,000	2,430,000
Pre-production overburden removal costs	316,000	0
Land	13,570,000	13,638,000
Mineral rights	2,165,000	2,165,000
Pre-production development costs	535,000	0
Prepaid royalties	1,232,000	1,184,000
Depreciation	13,119,000	12,468,000
Interest Costs Capitalized	0	0
Impairment of property, plant and equipment	0	0
CARES Act, Current Payroll Tax Deferral	864,000
CARES Act, Future Payroll Tax Deferral	2,100,000
Advertising expense	9,674,000	6,909,000
Shipping and Handling Costs	39,865,000	47,717,000
Research and development costs	2,765,000	3,202,000
Other Operating Income	13,000,000
Operating leases, Right-of-Use Assets	9,816,000	$ 0	$ 9,348,000
Operating lease liabilities	$ 11,305,000		$ 10,910,000
Minimum
Amortization period of intangible assets (years)	4 years
Maximum
Amortization period of intangible assets (years)	20 years
Retail and Wholesale Products
Goodwill	$ 5,489,000
Business to Business Products
Goodwill	$ 3,773,000

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUN_9

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Revenue Recognition (Details) - Payments in Advance - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Deferred Revenue Arrangement
Liability for Payments in Advance	$ 247,000	$ 259,000
Payments in Advance, Revenue Recognized	$ 232,000

OPERATING SEGMENTS Disaggregati

OPERATING SEGMENTS Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	$ 283,227	$ 277,025
Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	104,260	105,877
Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	178,967	171,148
Cat Litter \| Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	14,528	13,764
Cat Litter \| Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	147,503	135,489
Industrial and Sports \| Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	0	0
Industrial and Sports \| Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	29,035	33,341
Agricultural and Horticultural \| Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	21,886	24,311
Agricultural and Horticultural \| Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	0	0
Bleaching Clay and Fluids Purification \| Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	50,117	51,905
Bleaching Clay and Fluids Purification \| Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	2,429	2,318
Animal Health and Nutrition \| Business to Business Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	17,729	15,897
Animal Health and Nutrition \| Retail and Wholesale Products
Revenue by Principal Product
Net Sales	$ 0	$ 0

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details)

OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
OPERATING SEGMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$ 235,882	$ 205,227
Net Sales	283,227	277,025
Other Operating Income	13,000	0
Corporate Expenses	(35,250)	(29,659)
Income from Operations	24,827	10,412
Total Other (Expense) Income, Net	(1,807)	4,136
Income Before Income Taxes	23,020	14,548
Income Taxes	(4,280)	(1,933)
Net Income	18,740	12,615
Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	(160)	4
Net Income Attributable to Oil-Dri	18,900	12,611
Business to Business Products
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	72,987	65,282
Segment Net Sales	104,260	105,877
Net Sales	104,260	105,877
Segment Income	31,218	31,388
Retail and Wholesale Products
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	95,838	94,809
Segment Net Sales	178,967	171,148
Net Sales	178,967	171,148
Segment Income	15,859	8,683
Unallocated Assets
Segment Reporting Information
Assets	$ 67,057	$ 45,136

OPERATING SEGMENTS Financial In

OPERATING SEGMENTS Financial Information by Geographic Region (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Financial Information by Geographic Region
Sales to unaffiliated customers	$ 283,227	$ 277,025
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Oil-Dr	18,900	12,611
Identifiable assets	235,882	205,227
Domestic Operations
Financial Information by Geographic Region
Sales to unaffiliated customers	268,007	263,469
Sales or transfers between geographic areas	6,566	5,097
Income before income taxes	24,494	14,280
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Oil-Dr	20,208	12,456
Identifiable assets	223,296	195,032
Foreign subsidiaries
Financial Information by Geographic Region
Sales to unaffiliated customers	15,220	13,556
Income before income taxes	(1,474)	268
Net Income (Loss) attributable to Oil-Dr	(1,308)	155
Identifiable assets	$ 12,586	$ 10,195

OPERATING SEGMENTS Largest Cust

OPERATING SEGMENTS Largest Customer (Details) - Customer, Walmart	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Net sales for the years ended July 31
Revenue, Major customer
Concentration risk, percentage	19.00%	20.00%
Net accounts receivable as of July 31
Revenue, Major customer
Concentration risk, percentage	18.00%	26.00%

OPERATING SEGMENTS Narrative (D

OPERATING SEGMENTS Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
OPERATING SEGMENTS Narrative (Details)	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)segment
Segment Reporting Information
Number of Reportable Segments \| segment	2
Foreign subsidiaries
Segment Reporting Information
Cash held at foreign banks \| $	$ 3,038,000

DEBT Notes Payable (Details)

DEBT Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
DEBT Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument
Less current maturities of notes payable	$ (1,000)	$ (3,083)
Noncurrent Notes payable	8,848	3,052
Senior Notes Issued November 2010
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 0	6,167
Less current maturities of notes payable		(3,083)
Less unamortized debt issuance costs		(32)
Noncurrent Notes payable		3,052
Starting payments	Aug. 1, 2019
Ending payments	Jul. 31, 2020
Annual rate	3.96%
Series B Senior Notes
Debt Instrument
Notes Payable	$ 10,000	$ 0
Less current maturities of notes payable	(1,000)
Less unamortized debt issuance costs	(152)
Noncurrent Notes payable	8,848
Annual Principal Installments	$ 1,000
Starting payments	May 15, 2021
Ending payments	May 15, 2030
Annual rate	3.95%

DEBT Maturities of Notes Payabl

DEBT Maturities of Notes Payable (Details) - Series B Senior Notes $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Notes Payable Maturities
2021	$ 1,000
2022	1,000
2023	1,000
2024	1,000
2025	$ 1,000

DEBT Debt (Narrative) (Details)

DEBT Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
DEBT Debt (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Debt Instrument
Shelf Notes	$ 75,000,000
Senior Notes Issued November 2010
Debt Instrument
Face amount	18,500,000
Repayments of Debt	3,100,000
Minimum overdue financial obligation considered as default	$ 5,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	Aug. 1, 2019
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	Jul. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.96%
Series B Senior Notes
Debt Instrument
Face amount	$ 10,000,000
Minimum overdue financial obligation considered as default	5,000,000
Annual Principal Installments	$ 1,000,000
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, Start	May 15, 2021
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Range, End	May 15, 2030
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.95%
Line of Credit, BMO Harris
Debt Instrument
Expiration date	Jan. 31, 2024
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 45,000,000
Maximum borrowing capacity for letters of credit	$ 10,000,000
Variable interest rate, prime based	3.50%
Variable interest rate, LIBOR based	1.50%
Line of credit amount outstanding	$ 0	$ 0
Minimum overdue financial obligation considered as default	$ 1,000,000

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Narrative

FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 6,000	$ 26,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 11,631,000	$ 6,357,000

INCOME TAXES Income Tax Provisi

INCOME TAXES Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Current - Federal	$ 3,768	$ (529)
Current - Foreign	5	(5)
Current - State	999	1,416
Current Income Tax Total	4,772	882
Deferred - Federal	(610)	1,344
Deferred - Foreign	(3)	113
Deferred - State	121	(406)
Deferred Income Tax Total	(492)	1,051
Total Income Tax Expense	$ 4,280	$ 1,933

INCOME TAXES Income Tax Effecti

INCOME TAXES Income Tax Effective Rate Reconciliation (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
U.S. federal income tax rate	21.00%	21.00%
Depletion deductions allowed for mining	(4.80%)	(8.20%)
State income tax expense, net of federal tax expense	4.30%	2.50%
Difference in effective tax rate of foreign subsidiaries	1.20%	0.20%
Prior year income taxes	(1.00%)	(1.90%)
Other	(2.10%)	(0.30%)
Effective income tax rate	18.60%	13.30%

INCOME TAXES Components of Defe

INCOME TAXES Components of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Deferred Tax Asset
Depreciation	$ 0	$ 0
Deferred compensation	1,779,000	2,121,000
Postretirement benefits	3,293,000	6,100,000
Lease right of use assets	0	0
Lease liabilities	2,918,000	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts	178,000	81,000
Deferred marketing expenses	0	0
Other assets	0	390,000
Accrued expenses	4,131,000	2,076,000
Tax credits	147,000	250,000
Amortization	48,000	166,000
Inventories	343,000	264,000
Depletion	0	0
Stock-based compensation	987,000	556,000
Reclamation	447,000	392,000
Other assets - foreign	790,000	585,000
Valuation allowance	(923,000)	(732,000)
Total deferred tax assets	14,138,000	12,249,000
Deferred Tax Liability
Depreciation	3,926,000	3,995,000
Deferred compensation	0	0
Postretirement benefits	0	0
Lease right of use assets	2,534,000	0
Lease liabilities	0	0
Allowance for doubtful accounts	0	0
Deferred marketing expenses	194,000	326,000
Other liabilities	9,000	0
Accrued expenses	0	0
Tax credits	0	0
Amortization	0	0
Inventories	0	0
Depletion	173,000	173,000
Stock-based compensation	0	0
Reclamation	0	0
Other assets - foreign	0	0
Valuation allowance	0	0
Total deferred tax liabilities	$ 6,836,000	$ 4,494,000

INCOME TAXES Narrative (Details

INCOME TAXES Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
INCOME TAXES Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$ 2,000,000
Unrecognized tax benefits, liability	0	$ 0
Unrecognized tax benefits, penalties and interest expense	0	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, penalties and interest accrued	$ 0	0
Minimum
Foreign and U.S. state tax statute of limitations (years)	3 years
Maximum
Foreign and U.S. state tax statute of limitations (years)	5 years
Deferred Tax Asset
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 923,000	$ 732,000

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSI_3

ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, beginning balance	$ (15,039,000)
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	2,785,000	$ (4,424,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, ending balance	(12,254,000)	(15,039,000)
Pension and Postretirement Health Benefits
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, beginning balance	(14,891,000)	(10,384,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(4,431,000)	(5,089,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	758,000	582,000
Curtailment/Settlement on Pension Plan	6,570,000
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	2,897,000	(4,507,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, ending balance	(11,994,000)	(14,891,000)
Tax on Other comprehensive (loss) incomes, Pension and postretirement benefit Plans before reclassifications	(1,359,000)	1,607,000
Tax on amount reclassified from AOCI, Pension and postretirement health benefits	242,000	185,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Adjustment for Settlement or Curtailment Gain (Loss), Tax	2,075,000
Cumulative Translation Adjustment
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, beginning balance	(148,000)	(231,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(112,000)	83,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	0	0
Curtailment/Settlement on Pension Plan	0
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	(112,000)	83,000
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, ending balance	(260,000)	(148,000)
AOCI Attributable to Parent
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, beginning balance	(15,039,000)	(10,615,000)
Other comprehensive income (loss), before reclassifications, net of tax	(4,543,000)	(5,006,000)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax	758,000	582,000
Curtailment/Settlement on Pension Plan	6,570,000
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	2,785,000	(4,424,000)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, ending balance	$ (12,254,000)	$ (15,039,000)

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Summa

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Summary of Restricted Stock Activity) (Details) - Restricted Stock - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Summary of Restricted Stock Activity
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Number	390	414	178
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 33.19	$ 33.09	$ 32.74
Nonvested restricted stock outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Years)	4 years	4 years 6 months	1 year 8 months 12 days
Nonvested retricted stock outstanding, Unamortized Expense	$ 7,784	$ 10,474	$ 3,050
Granted, Number	26	321
Granted, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 33.57	$ 32.89
Vested, Number	(44)	(61)
Vested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 32.53	$ 31.90
Forfeitures, Number	(6)	(24)
Forfeitures, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value	$ 32.46	$ 30.85

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narra

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Award Disclosure
Share-based compensation expense	$ 2,560,000	$ 1,834,000
Tax benefit from compensation expense	$ 808,000	$ 579,000
2006 Plan
Share-based Compensation Award Disclosure
Number of shares authorized	1,219,500
Number of shares available for grant	370,836
2006 Plan - Restricted Stock \| Minimum
Share-based Compensation Award Disclosure
Award vesting period (years)	2 years
2006 Plan - Restricted Stock \| Maximum
Share-based Compensation Award Disclosure
Award vesting period (years)	5 years

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_3

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Change in Benefit Obligation and Plan Assets, Funded Status (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Pension Benefits
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	$ 61,553	$ 54,267
Service cost	1,096	1,626
Interest cost	1,900	2,114
Actuarial loss	8,570	5,125
Benefits paid	(1,663)	(1,579)
Curtailment	(6,632)	0
Settlement	(7,544)	0
Benefit obligation, end of year	57,280	61,553
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets. beginning of year	40,725	40,971
Actual return on plan assets	5,816	1,333
Employer contribution	8,000	0
Benefits paid	(1,663)	(1,579)
Settlement	(7,544)	0
Fair value of plan assets. end of year	45,334	40,725
Funded status, recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets	(11,946)	(20,828)
Postretirement Health Benefits
Change in benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation, beginning of year	2,958	2,667
Service cost	116	105
Interest cost	82	97
Actuarial loss	247	97
Benefits paid	(112)	(8)
Curtailment	0	0
Settlement	0	0
Benefit obligation, end of year	3,291	2,958
Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets. beginning of year	0	0
Actual return on plan assets	0	0
Employer contribution	112	8
Benefits paid	(112)	(8)
Settlement	0	0
Fair value of plan assets. end of year	0	0
Funded status, recorded in Consolidated Balance Sheets	$ (3,291)	$ (2,958)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_4

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Amounts Recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Other noncurrent Liabilities	$ (15,140)	$ (23,721)
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Deferred income tax	2,443	5,346
Other current liabilities	0	0
Other noncurrent Liabilities	(11,946)	(20,828)
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net of tax, Net actuarial loss	11,642	14,731
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net of tax, Prior service cost (income)	0	0
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Deferred income tax	850	754
Other current liabilities	(97)	(65)
Other noncurrent Liabilities	(3,194)	(2,893)
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net of tax, Net actuarial loss	352	184
Accumulated other comprehensive income - net of tax, Prior service cost (income)	$ 0	$ (24)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_5

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Components of net periodic benefit cost (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Service cost	$ 1,096,000	$ 1,626,000
Interest cost	1,900,000	2,114,000
Expected return on plan assets	(2,790,000)	(2,809,000)
Amortization of: Prior service costs (income)	0	2,000
Amortization of: Other actuarial loss	1,005,000	771,000
Settlement cost	2,012,000	0
Net periodic benefit cost	3,223,000	1,704,000
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Service cost	116,000	105,000
Interest cost	82,000	97,000
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of: Prior service costs (income)	(6,000)	(6,000)
Amortization of: Other actuarial loss	0	0
Settlement cost	0	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 192,000	$ 196,000

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_6

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$ (2,897)	$ 4,507
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Net actuarial loss (gain)	4,243	5,016
Amortization of: Prior service (cost) income	0	(1)
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain	(763)	(586)
Curtailment/Settlement	(6,570)	0
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	(3,090)	4,429
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Net actuarial loss (gain)	188	73
Amortization of: Prior service (cost) income	5	5
Amortization of actuarial (loss) gain	0	0
Curtailment/Settlement	0	0
Total recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$ 193	$ 78

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_7

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Amounts to be recognized in other comprehensive income in the next fiscal year (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Amortization of: Net actuarial loss	$ 786
Amortization of: Prior service income	0
Total to be recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	786
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Amortization of: Net actuarial loss	11
Amortization of: Prior service income	(5)
Total to be recognized in other comprehensive loss (income)	$ 6

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_8

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Estimated future benefit payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
2021	$ 1,743
2022	1,794
2023	1,798
2024	1,842
2025	1,952
2026-30	11,484
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
2021	115
2022	98
2023	121
2024	191
2025	234
2026-30	$ 1,385

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREM_9

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Assumptions used in calculations (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs	3.35%	4.04%
Discount rate for year-end obligations	2.14%	3.35%
Rate of increase in compensation levels for net periodic benefit costs	0.00%	3.50%
Rate of increase in compensation levels for year-end obligations	0.00%	3.50%
Long-term expected rate of return on assets	7.00%	7.00%
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Discount rate for net periodic benefit costs	2.93%	3.81%
Discount rate for year-end obligations	1.63%	2.93%

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_10

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Effect of one-percentage point change in assumed healthcare trend (Details) - Postretirement Health Benefits $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Defined Benefit Plans and Postretirement Health Benefits
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on total service and interest cost	$ 27
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on total service and interest cost	(23)
Effect of One Percentage Point Increase on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	337
Effect of One Percentage Point Decrease on accumulated postretirement benefit obligation	$ (297)

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_11

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Plan Assets Allocation Percentages (Details)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Cash and accrued income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Target Allocation %	2.00%
Actual Allocation %	1.00%	0.00%
Fixed income
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Target Allocation %	38.00%
Actual Allocation %	68.00%	42.00%
Equity
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Target Allocation %	60.00%
Actual Allocation %	31.00%	58.00%

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_12

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Fair value level of pension plan assets (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019	Jul. 31, 2018
Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Minimum % of Fund Assets Invested in Non-US Stocks Developed Market	80.00%	80.00%
Fixed Income: Government sponsored entities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Amount Backed by US Government	$ 289,000	$ 377,000
Fixed Income: Multi-strategy bond fund [Member] \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount		0
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	45,334,000	40,725,000	$ 40,971,000
Pension Benefits \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	3,145,000	6,822,000
Pension Benefits \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	42,189,000	33,903,000
Pension Benefits \| Cash and Cash Equivalents
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	557,000	66,000
Pension Benefits \| Cash and Cash Equivalents \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	557,000	66,000
Pension Benefits \| Cash and Cash Equivalents \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities U.S. companies
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	9,401,000	13,775,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities U.S. companies \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	2,093,000	4,147,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities U.S. companies \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	7,308,000	9,628,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities International companies
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	495,000	2,609,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities International companies \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	495,000	2,609,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities International companies \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	2,867,000	5,275,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Developed market \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	2,867,000	5,275,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Emerging market
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	1,022,000	1,141,000
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Emerging market \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Equity securities - international mutual funds: Emerging market \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	1,022,000	1,141,000
Pension Benefits \| Commodity Based Investments
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	637,000
Pension Benefits \| Commodity Based Investments \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Commodity Based Investments \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	637,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	3,014,000	3,273,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: U.S. Treasuries \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	3,014,000	3,273,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Debt securities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	10,131,000	8,103,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Debt securities \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Debt securities \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	10,131,000	8,103,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Government sponsored entities
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	5,131,000	2,087,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Government sponsored entities \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Government sponsored entities \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	5,131,000	2,087,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Multi-strategy bond fund [Member]
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	10,547,000	813,000
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Multi-strategy bond fund [Member] \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0
Pension Benefits \| Fixed Income: Multi-strategy bond fund [Member] \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	10,547,000	813,000
Pension Benefits \| Money Market Funds
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	486,000	557,000
Pension Benefits \| Money Market Funds \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Money Market Funds \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	486,000	557,000
Pension Benefits \| Other
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	1,683,000	2,389,000
Pension Benefits \| Other \| Level 1
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	0	0
Pension Benefits \| Other \| Level 2
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure
Defined Benefit Plan, Plan Assets, Amount	$ 1,683,000	$ 2,389,000

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIRE_13

PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Pension Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Settlement and Curtailment Gain (Loss), before Tax	$ 6,632,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Defined Benefit Plan, Adjustment for Settlement or Curtailment Gain (Loss), Tax	1,592,000
Accumulated benefit obligation	57,280,000	$ 54,696,000
Defined Benefit Plan First Voluntary Contribution	5,000,000
Defined Benefit Plan Second Voluntary Contribution	3,000,000
Pension plan estimated employer contributions in next fiscal year	0
Settlement cost	$ 2,012,000	0
Postretirement Health Benefits
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans
Health care cost trend rate assumed	7.20%
Defined Benefit Plan, Ultimate Health Care Cost Trend Rate	4.50%
Defined Benefit Plan, Year Health Care Cost Trend Rate Reaches Ultimate Trend Rate	2038
Settlement cost	$ 0	0
401K Plan
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure
Contribution to defined contribution plans	$ 2,035,000	$ 764,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match Before Change	50.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay Before Change	4.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Match	100.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay	6.00%

DEFERRED COMPENSATION Deferred

DEFERRED COMPENSATION Deferred Comp and Bonus (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Deferred Compensation
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits
Annual Total Amount Deferred	$ 266,000	$ 418,000
Deferred Compensation Interest Expense	171,000	204,000
Deferred Compensation Payments to Participants	440,000	1,144,000
Deferred Compensation Recorded Liability	4,017,000	3,560,000
Executive Deferred Bonus
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Contributions by Employer	$ 1,352,000	$ 513,000
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Requisite Service Period	3 years

DEFERRED COMPENSATION SERP (Det

DEFERRED COMPENSATION SERP (Details) - Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
SERP Disclosure
SERP, benefit obligation	$ 1,447,000	$ 2,708,000
SERP expense	34,000	$ 539,000
Curtailment gain	$ 1,296,000

LEASES Narrative (Details)

LEASES Narrative (Details)	12 Months Ended
LEASES Narrative (Details)	Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 2,873,000

LEASES Lease, Cost (Details)

LEASES Lease, Cost (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
LEASES Lease, Cost (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2020USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
Operating Lease, Cost	$ 2,219
Short-term Lease, Cost	788
Operating Lease, Payments	$ 1,878
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term	9 years 4 months 24 days
Operating Lease, Weighted Average Discount Rate, Percent	3.87%

LEASES Lessee, Operating Lease,

LEASES Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment Due, Rolling Maturity (Details) - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Aug. 02, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
2021	$ 2,552,000
2022	2,076,000
2023	1,106,000
2024	965,000
2025	885,000
Thereafter	6,131,000
Total	13,715,000
Less: imputed interest	(2,410,000)
Net Lease Obligation	$ 11,305,000	$ 10,910,000

LEASES Operating Leases, Future

LEASES Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Due, Fiscal Year Maturity (Details) $ in Thousands	Jul. 31, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2020	$ 2,255
2021	1,640
2022	1,513
2023	1,038
2024	899
Thereafter	$ 7,422

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Det

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) - Director - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS (Details) - Director - USD ($)	Jul. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction
Net sales to related party customer	$ 388,000	$ 462,000
Accounts receivable due from related party customer	0	10,000
Purchases from related party vendor	420,000	271,000
Accounts payable due to related party vendor	$ 0	$ 0