Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 29, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
At lower of LIFO cost or market:
Live hogs and materials	$ 245,473	$ 258,638
Fresh pork and materials	30,507	31,495
Inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market, Gross	275,980	290,133
LIFO adjustment	(74,013)	(90,730)
Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	201,967	199,403
At lower of FIFO cost or market:
Grains, oilseeds and other commodities	332,885	317,573
Sugar produced and in process	59,334	65,986
Other	70,230	73,606
Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	462,449	457,165
Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	87,685	100,296
Total inventories	$ 752,101	$ 756,864