Consolidated Condensed Statements Of Income (USD $) In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012	Apr. 02, 2011
Sales	$ 8,268	$ 8,000	$ 16,597	$ 15,615
Cost of Sales	7,733	7,467	15,569	14,338
Gross Profit	535	533	1,028	1,277
Selling, General and Administrative	233	230	448	476
Operating Income	302	303	580	801
Other (Income) Expense:
Interest income	(5)	(3)	(7)	(6)
Interest expense	52	63	101	129
Other, net	(2)	2	(14)	(8)
Total Other (Income) Expense	45	62	80	115	[1]
Income before Income Taxes	257	241	500	686
Income Tax Expense	91	85	178	236
Net Income	166	156	322	450
Less: Net Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest	0	(3)	0	(7)
Net Income Attributable to Tyson	$ 166	$ 159	$ 322	$ 457
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Diluted	373	383	374	381
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Diluted (USD per share)	$ 0.44	$ 0.42	$ 0.86	$ 1.20
Class A [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	294	305	295	305
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.43	$ 0.90	$ 1.24
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends (USD per share)	$ 0.040	$ 0.040	$ 0.080	$ 0.080
Class B [Member]
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding:
Basic	70	70	70	70
Net Income Per Share Attributable to Tyson:
Basic (USD per share)	$ 0.42	$ 0.39	$ 0.81	$ 1.12
Cash Dividends Per Share:
Cash Dividends (USD per share)	$ 0.036	$ 0.036	$ 0.072	$ 0.072

[1] Includes $11 million gain related to a sale of interests in an equity method investment.