Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries (Reconciliation Of Changes In Shareholders' Equity And Noncontrolling Interests In Subsidiaries) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			$ 1,362,725
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			34,369
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			1,397,094	$ 1,410,892
Issuance of common stock			0	187
Repurchase of stock			0	(1,143)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			3,020	3,755
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,037)	(2,009)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			364	316
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	$ 22,465	$ 15,025	16,518	15,742
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest	2,599	459	2,421	267
Net income	25,064	15,484	18,939	16,009
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(7,374)	(7,425)
Common stock dividends declared			(23,582)	(23,644)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(6,059)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(364)	(316)
Other comprehensive income (loss)			2,911	(9,706)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,260)	(1,977)
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,352,607	1,347,965	1,352,607	1,347,965
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	35,104	30,915	35,104	30,915
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,387,711	1,378,880	1,387,711	1,378,880
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			1,362,725	1,378,230
Issuance of common stock			0	187
Repurchase of stock			0	(1,143)
Accrual of stock-based compensation			3,020	3,755
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,037)	(2,009)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			364	316
Net income (loss) attributable to parent			16,518	15,742
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(7,374)	(7,425)
Common stock dividends declared			(23,582)	(23,644)
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	(6,059)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(364)	(316)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent			3,337	(9,669)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,352,607	1,347,965	1,352,607	1,347,965
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			34,369	32,662
Issuance of common stock			0	0
Repurchase of stock			0	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation			0	0
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			0	0
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			2,421	267
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			0	0
Common stock dividends declared			0	0
Repurchase of stock, retained earnings			0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(426)	(37)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			(1,260)	(1,977)
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	$ 35,104	$ 30,915	$ 35,104	$ 30,915