Other Matters - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Feb. 16, 2012 Plaintiff	Oct. 31, 2013 Employee	Oct. 31, 2013 Property Subject to Operating Lease	Oct. 31, 2012 Property Subject to Operating Lease	Oct. 31, 2011 Property Subject to Operating Lease
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Number of employees		11,271
Percentage of employees covered by collective bargaining agreements		27.70%
Operating leases, expiration year			2018
Operating leases, rental expense			$ 7.0	$ 6.8	$ 7.7
Contractual obligations to purchase for feed grains, feed ingredients, and packaging supplies		$ 77.2
Number of former employees who filed for damage claims against the company and seven current and former employees	2