The cumulative amount of depreciation, depletion and amortization (related to property, plant and equipment, but not including land) that has been recognized in the income statement.

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Gross amount of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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- Definition

Amount, net of accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization, of long-lived physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and computer equipment.

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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Property, Plant and Equipment (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified					12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended				12 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	May 01, 2011	Apr. 29, 2012 Land and Land Improvements [Member]	May 01, 2011 Land and Land Improvements [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Land and Land Improvements [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Land and Land Improvements [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Building and Building Improvements [Member]	May 01, 2011 Building and Building Improvements [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Building and Building Improvements [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Building and Building Improvements [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Machinery and Equipment [Member]	May 01, 2011 Machinery and Equipment [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Machinery and Equipment [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Machinery and Equipment [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Breeding and Production Animals [Member]	May 01, 2011 Breeding and Production Animals [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Breeding and Production Animals [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Breeding and Production Animals [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Computer Equipment [Member]	May 01, 2011 Computer Equipment [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Computer Equipment [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Computer Equipment [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]	May 01, 2011 Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] Minimum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Property, Plant and Equipment, Other Types [Member] Maximum [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Construction in Progress [Member]	May 01, 2011 Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Useful life					0 years	20 years			20 years	40 years			5 years	25 years			2 years	2 years			3 years	5 years			3 years	10 years
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 4,269.9	$ 4,186.7	$ 268.9	$ 271.7			$ 1,690.6	$ 1,717.8			$ 1,780.6	$ 1,714.0			$ 182.1	$ 159.3			$ 148.4	$ 137.1			$ 89.1	$ 53.2			$ 110.2	$ 133.6
Accumulated depreciation	(1,992.7)	(1,877.6)
Property, plant and equipment, net	$ 2,277.2	$ 2,309.1