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IMPAIRMENT AND DISPOSAL OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS Narrative (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended					3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended				3 Months Ended					12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Apr. 29, 2012	May 01, 2011	May 02, 2010	May 01, 2011 Pork Segment [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Pork Segment [Member] Kinston Facility Expansion [Member]	Oct. 30, 2011 Pork Segment [Member] Portsmouth, Virginia Plant [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Pork Segment [Member] Portsmouth, Virginia Plant [Member]	Jan. 31, 2010 Pork Segment [Member] Sioux City, Iowa Plant [Member]	May 01, 2011 Hog Production Segment [Member]	Jan. 30, 2011 Hog Production Segment [Member]	May 01, 2011 Hog Production Segment [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Hog Production Segment [Member] Missouri Hog Farms [Member]	May 01, 2011 Other Segment [Member]	Apr. 29, 2012 Scenario, Forecast [Member] Pork Segment [Member] Portsmouth, Virginia Plant [Member]	May 01, 2011 Dalhart, Texas Hog Farms [Member] Hog Production Segment [Member]	Jan. 30, 2011 Dalhart, Texas Hog Farms [Member] Hog Production Segment [Member]	Aug. 02, 2009 Dalhart, Texas Hog Farms [Member] Hog Production Segment [Member]	Jan. 30, 2011 Oklahoma and Iowa Hog Farms [Member] Hog Production Segment [Member]	Aug. 02, 2009 Missouri Hog Farms [Member] Hog Production Segment [Member]	May 02, 2010 RMH Foods, LLC [Member] Pork Segment [Member]	Jan. 30, 2011 Butterball, LLC [Member] Turkey Operations, Including Investment in Butterball, LLC [Member] Other Segment [Member]
Estimated Total Capital Expenditures					$ 85
Accelerated Depreciation							3.3					8.2
Estimated Future Accelerated Depreciation														4.7
Inventory Write-down						0.8		2.5
Severance Costs						0.6		7.0
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of								3.6									23.6		10.5	3.5
Assets of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation																	20.9
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment	6.4	22.8	11.7													9.1
(Gain) loss on sale of property, plant and equipment	(25.2)	(53.0)	22.7						(13.6)	(5.1)					(13.6)	1.8		(6.9)			(0.2)
Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses															32.5			70.4		9.1	167.0
Goodwill, Written off Related to Sale of Business Unit		(45.0)		0							(25.5)		(19.5)		8.5			17.0
Goodwill, Impairment Loss																			6.0	0.5
Sale of Stock, Percentage of Ownership before Transaction																					49.00%
Sale of Stock, Joint Venture Partner Ownership before Transaction																					51.00%
Restructuring Charges								13.1
Liabilities Assumed																				$ 1.4