Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net earnings	$ 350,784	$ 340,874	$ 313,374
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	275,461	261,622	245,076
Amortization	29,845	27,278	25,209
Impairment	0	1,729	4,250
Deferred income taxes	(6,869)	36,309	68,552
Loss (gain) on sales of plant and equipment	(1,264)	(1,551)	247
Gain on sale of businesses	0	(6,822)	0
Stock-based compensation expense	28,961	27,053	25,608
Loss on the extinguishment of debt	9,150	0	0
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding effects of business acquisitions and divestitures:
Trade receivables, net	20,030	(42,485)	(89,976)
Inventories, net	2,291	(62,317)	(29,307)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	41,408	(14,706)	(14,965)
Accounts payable, trade	4,732	(2,636)	9,980
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(4,463)	(8,090)	(55,294)
Other, net	(5,206)	(5,990)	3,652
Net cash provided by operating activities	744,860	550,268	506,406
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Capital expenditures	(354,587)	(325,465)	(356,514)
Proceeds from sales of plant, equipment and businesses	15,483	31,413	16,365
Business acquisitions and holdback settlements	(203,529)	(97,521)	(160,115)
Other, net	(951)	(1,286)	(1,830)
Net cash used in investing activities	(543,584)	(392,859)	(502,094)
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net increase (decrease) in short-term debt	387,352	(388,452)	388,368
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt	135,861	862,832	1,066,526
Repayment of long-term debt	(636,587)	(21,428)	(1,149,106)
Financing costs	0	(6,697)	(4,567)
Premium paid on redemption of senior subordinated notes	(7,676)	0	0
Purchase of treasury stock	(8,127)	(591,873)	(300,000)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	38,310	88,700	36,619
Stock issued for the Employee Stock Purchase Plan	17,313	17,088	15,256
Excess tax benefit realized from the exercise of stock options	13,668	36,160	17,516
Dividends paid to stockholders	(141,461)	(122,202)	(95,323)
Change in cash overdraft and other	(16,754)	10,186	7,844
Net cash used in financing activities	(218,101)	(115,686)	(16,867)
Change in cash	(16,825)	41,723	(12,555)
Cash - Beginning of period	86,386	44,663	57,218
Cash - End of period	$ 69,561	$ 86,386	$ 44,663