Other Intangible Assets (Schedule of Other Intangible Assets) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		$ 3,502	$ 3,454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,610)	(1,483)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,892	1,971
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		2,179	2,173
Total Intangible Assets, Gross		5,681	5,627
Total Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(1,610)	(1,483)
Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill		4,071	4,144
In Process Research and Development [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		71	72
Microbial Cell Factories [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		306	306
Pioneer Germplasm [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		1,048	1,048
Trademarks/Tradenames [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets		754	747
Customer Lists [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,635	1,621
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(552)	(529)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		1,083	1,092
Patents [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		457	454
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(232)	(220)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		225	234
Purchased and Licensed Technology [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		1,204	1,173
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(736)	(649)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		468	524
Trademarks [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross		26	26
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization		(14)	(13)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net		12	13
Other [Member]
Finite-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Gross	[1]	180	180
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization	[1]	(76)	(72)
Definite-lived Intangible Assets, Net	[1]	$ 104	$ 108

[1] Primarily consists of sales and grower networks, marketing and manufacturing alliances and noncompetition agreements.