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		9 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			$ 1,414,222
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			38,840
Total shareholders' equity, beginning balance			1,453,062	$ 1,397,094
Non-cash classification of common stock converted			107,550	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,766	4,157
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,256)	(3,737)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			503	519
Net income (loss) attributable to parent	$ 53,647	$ 44,534	73,435	61,052
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	3,415	2,081	2,621	4,502
Net (income) loss	57,062	46,615	76,056	65,554
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,061)	(11,061)
Common stock dividends declared			(37,787)	(35,641)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(503)	(519)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			1,260	1,260
Other comprehensive income (loss)			(18)	4,090
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,441,946	1,382,050	1,441,946	1,382,050
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	39,556	37,146	39,556	37,146
Total shareholders' equity, ending balance	1,481,502	1,419,196	1,481,502	1,419,196
Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, beginning balance			1,414,222	1,362,725
Non-cash classification of common stock converted			107,550	0
Accrual of stock-based compensation			4,766	4,157
Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes (SARs, RSUs, and PSAs)			(2,256)	(3,737)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			503	519
Net income (loss) attributable to parent			73,435	61,052
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			(11,061)	(11,061)
Common stock dividends declared			(37,787)	(35,641)
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			(503)	(519)
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to parent			627	4,555
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			0	0
Total stockholders' equity attributable to parent, ending balance	1,441,946	1,382,050	1,441,946	1,382,050
Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries, beginning balance			38,840	34,369
Non-cash classification of common stock converted			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 attributable to noncontrolling interest			2,621	4,502
Series B 6.75% convertible perpetual preferred stock dividends declared			0	0
Common stock dividends declared			0	0
Dividend equivalents on RSUs			0	0
Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest			(645)	(465)
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests			1,260	1,260
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiaries, ending balance	$ 39,556	$ 37,146	39,556	37,146
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Non-cash reclassification of preferred stock converted			(107,550)	0
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | Universal Corporation [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Non-cash reclassification of preferred stock converted			(107,550)	0
Series B 6.75% Convertible Perpetual Preferred Stock [Member] | Noncontrolling Interests [Member]
Schedule of Capitalization, Equity [Line Items]
Non-cash reclassification of preferred stock converted			$ 0	$ 0