Inventories (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 28, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
At lower of LIFO cost or market:
Live hogs and materials	$ 209,734	$ 207,310
Fresh pork and materials	22,513	33,485
Inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market, Gross	232,247	240,795
LIFO adjustment	(49,140)	(62,236)
Total inventories at lower of LIFO cost or market	183,107	178,559
At lower of FIFO cost or market:
Grains, oilseeds and other commodities	350,720	299,229
Sugar produced and in process	41,351	53,325
Other	71,558	74,289
Total inventories at lower of FIFO cost or market	463,629	426,843
Grain, flour and feed at lower of weighted average cost or market	77,900	93,596
Total inventories	$ 724,636	$ 698,998