Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
At lower of LIFO cost or market:
Live hogs and materials	$ 225,877	$ 228,624
Fresh pork and materials	29,777	29,426
Inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market, Gross	255,654	258,050
LIFO adjustment	(68,383)	(57,783)
Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	187,271	200,267
At lower of FIFO cost or market:
Grains and oilseeds	218,840	251,839
Sugar produced and in process	53,750	78,730
Other	77,093	63,449
Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	349,683	394,018
Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	69,260	50,645
Total inventories	$ 606,214	$ 644,930